Montoya ends first Formula One season with Brazil win

Monday, Oct. 25, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Juan Pablo Montoya left his first job in Formula One by winning Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. David Coulthard's last race for the McLaren team after nine seasons ended in disappointment.

While Montoya got his fourth career win before leaving Williams to replace Coulthard at McLaren next season, Scotland's Coulthard finished in 11th place at Interlagos in his record 150th and final Grand Prix for the Woking, England-based team.

"Not the best note to go out on," said Coulthard, who joined McLaren in 1996. "Not very good at all."

Williams hired Montoya 11 months ago, placing pressure on Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen this season. Coulthard failed to get on the podium in any of the season's 18 races. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen was second yesterday, his fourth podium finish of 2004.

Coulthard, who managed 51 top-three finishes with McLaren including 12 wins, has yet to secure a drive for next season. Williams has a vacancy after Formula One's contract recognition board ruled Jenson Button had a binding agreement with BAR-Honda. Button said two months ago he was leaving BAR to join Williams.

Coulthard, 33, said last week he has no intention of retiring and will try again in 2006 if he doesn't get hired next year.

"I believe I have the pace, desire and ability to be competitive," Coulthard told a news conference before the race in Interlagos. "Obviously in this situation is not just down to your desire, it takes a number of other people to believe and want to give you an opportunity."

Montoya, 29, had a successful end to his four-year stint with Williams, his first drive since switching to F-1 from the U.S.-based Championship Auto Racing Teams series.

Montoya, a native of Colombia, recorded Williams's only victory of the season, finishing just over a second ahead of the man he'll partner at McLaren next season. He dedicated the win to Williams team principal Frank Williams.

"We've had ups, downs and everything and to close these four years with a win is unbelievable," Montoya told a post-race news conference. "I really want to thank Frank."

Montoya's triumph lifted him to fifth in the drivers' standings, behind seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Button and Fernando Alonso. Schumacher sealed a fifth consecutive title in August with four races left.

"It really pumps me up for next year and I'm really looking forward to working with Kimi," Montoya added. "We could be really strong."

Bourdais, second behind Junqueira in the race that finished under caution after Canadian Patrick Carpentier was injured when he crashed into a tire barrier, will take a 22-point lead over Junqueira into the season-ending race Nov. 7 in Mexico City.

Carpentier was "awake and alert" while being taken to a hospital by ambulance, Champ Car officials said.

Junqueira, who entered the race 28 points behind Bourdais, earned 33 points en route to his second victory of the season and seventh of his Champ Car career. He's the 14th different winner of the Australian race.