Colombian comes of age

Too quick for cameras: Montoya sets a fast pace

BBC Sport Online's Alex Trickett examines the rapid rise of Colombian Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

Since rocking the Formula One world with an audacious move to pass Michael Schumacher in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya has shown many signs of his winning potential.

The Colombian, one of very few current drivers to stand up to Germany's four-times world champion with such defiance, has never been short of self-confidence.

Unbridled joy: Montoya's first win

"Better things will come," he said after having his hopes of winning that race dashed by Dutchman Jos Verstappen, who rammed into the back of his Williams.

Sure enough, better things came quickly.

Starting on pole in the Italian GP at Monza, a combination of assured driving and clever team tactics helped Montoya to win the first race of what is likely to be a special F1 career.

He showed experience beyond his 25 years to fend off the challenges of team-mate Ralf Schumacher - who he outpaced all weekend - and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.

There is no doubt that Montoya has the raw speed to succeed.

As Williams technical director Patrick Head said after his Monza win: "He has been on pole in three of the last four Grands Prix so it was obviously coming."

His temperament is very straightforward - when there is trouble he is actually amazingly calm

Frank Williams

Perhaps the most impressive demonstration of his pace came in Belgian qualifying.

At Spa, in wet-dry conditions, the Colombian posted a pole-winning time almost 0.9 seconds quicker than that of second-placed Ralf Schumacher.

It was an audacious and dominant display reminiscent of those put on by the late Brazilian qualifying master, Ayrton Senna.

But it takes more than speed to emulate Senna or - for that matter - Schumacher.

Crashed out

And if any questions lingered about Montoya, they related to his temperament under the most severe pressure.

He crashed out disappointingly at Monaco, after which, in the words of his team boss Frank Williams, he "had a talk with himself".

It seems to have worked.

Putting the moves on Schumacher in Brazil

The young man, who has in the past been accused of swearing on the team radio too much when he got excited, now appears composed and level-headed.

"His temperament is very straightforward and calm. In fact when there is trouble he is actually amazingly calm," assesses Williams.

So where do these qualities place Montoya in the greater scheme of the Formula One World Championship?

Clearly, Michael Schumacher remains the man to beat, but few would bet against the Colombian pushing hard in 2002.

"With Montoya, it is very clear that he has the potential of being one of the top runners," said Gerhard Berger, former F1 driver and current BMW Motorsport director.

Much now depends on BMW - who provide Montoya's engine - Williams (his chassis) and Michelin (his tyres).

It was a great day for me, because my father was here

Juan Pablo Montoya

If they combine to give Montoya a competitive car - or if he moves to Ferrari - Montoya is likely to trouble the Schumacher brothers and any other driver that comes across his speeding path.

For now though, it is only fair to allow a young man time to revel in his already great motor-racing achievements.

"This is a big day for me. I'm delighted to have won, particularly because my father is here," he said at Monza: "Just one year ago I had my last win in a Cart race."

The leap from Cart to F1 is great but Montoya has taken it in stride - proof again of the determination, temperament and precocious talent that may soon make him a world beater.