Interesting...

[ttc]

Is BMW-William now practising No.1 and No.2 driver or is Juan just trying to deflect criticism of bad performance?

Juan claims Williams are favouring Ralf

According to the Colombian, rather than share the attention between both their drivers, Williams are concentrating on Ralf. The German is making his return to F1 this weekend having missed the last six races after injuring himself at the United States GP.

"This week has been really tough," Montoya told Reuters. "I think Ralf got here and I think they moved the focus out of my car a little bit. It's a bit frustrating because I'm trying really hard to get good results."

[alesi95]

I think its because Ralf isn't moaning and is thus more motivated that theyre concentrating on Ralf.

Plus Sam Michael had never denied his undying love for Ralf.

[ralf fan]

someones whinging again!!

i think Williams would probably be trying to make RS feel comfortable and stuff after the long layoff....

[Adam43]

Well it could actually mean that because there has been a change of driver the team has had to focus on Ralf a little more because he is unused to the current spec. of the car. When Ralf left the car was very different as he has said so himself.

Montoya is not a fan of changing team mates either, he said that he thought the team should have stuck with Gene (before the change) because of the disruption.

Still, I realise that this is dull.

[ttc]

My opinion is that JPM seems to be craving for attention. If he doesn't get it from the team, he'll try to get it from the media.

Oh well...

[ralf fan]

firstly knowing Frank Williams.... he never has clear no.1's...

secondly even Ralf is leaving Williams so they have no reason to favour him....

as Adam said is it is true probably to get RS acclimitised to the car again....

[BootsOntheSide]

Ralf might well need more support than usual this weekend, and I'm sure JPM will udnerstand that. The car has moved on in the last 6 races, and Ralf will need to readjust. That said, JPM doens't seem to be having much success this weekend, maybe the car isn't ideal for him.

[Wrex]

Is it Ralf being treated as No.1, or Monty no longer be treated no.1?

I would assume they were putting everything into Montoya's car while Ralf was away, and now they are returning to equal status. In JPM's eyes, that probably feels like they are looking after him.

And as others have said, young Ralf probably needs a little more attention.

[Gt_R]

Whaha..ooh so now Ralf does better and its because of favourtism?

Honestly, there's no basis for him to suggest favourtism because Ralf is leaving at the end of the year with Montoya. Perhaps is just down to mis-communication or somebody's getting jumpy and paranoid. In any case, it's unfair on the mechanics and engineers working behind the scene.

[garcon]

Actually I think Wrex has it right. Montoya's just commenting that now Ralf's back, the two cars are back on an equal footing. No big deal.

[Super Tourer]

Both are leaving, so I can't see any reason to favour one driver over the other.

JPM looked to be overdriving the car, it's a technical track so will reward precision, Ralf was smoother and quicker. JPM was critical of the car in the ITV interview, but as Brundle said he hasn't got the last corner right in any of the sessions.

To me, Ralf has driven better, simple as that.

[Knowlesy]

JPM seems less motivated than Ralf is at current anyways. Ralf is happy just to be racing again, JPM just wants 2005 to begin. At least, that's how I see it.

Ralf has been better this weekend, simple.

[luke]

Let the results speak for themselfs!

[XJR14/WSC95]

JPM should be happy Ralf back as now they have some one who can properly set up the car again. It might just take JPM a will to get used to using ralfs setings again.
And what a surprise, JPMs complaining about favourtism. Expect to hear this alot in 2005.

[GP Racer]

I'm just surprised that Frank brought Ralf back at all.

I mean at this point in the season, I'm sure Williams is trying out some new bits for there next car, so why give away any secrets to Ralf, who's leaving?

Oh yeah, stop your belly-aching Juan, you sound foolish!

[Hugh Jarce]

I just think Monty is a moaner - it's as simple as that.

When it's going well - great, when it's not whinge. And, the negative attitude knocks on the performance.

We all know people like that!

I have to say all credit to MS on this one - he keeps trying and smiling even when things are not going well.

That's why Monty will never be World Champ.

[Knowlesy]

Monty will be champ one day.......but you can be sure he'll make it bloody hard for himself.

[Kicking-back]

He's the new Nigel Mansell.

[Knowlesy]

No bad thing.

[Kicking-back]

Indeed.

It's the same old story - people complain the drivers are identikit clones with no personality, yet any time a driver shows a bit of emotion he's slapped down as "unprofessional".

[Knowlesy]

I think people have a point that Juan moans far too much, but at the end of the day I'd agree that they'd just moan if he was the complete opposite.

[KevinS]

Originally posted by knowlesy
JPM just wants 2005 to begin.

And I suspect the whining and moaning will start again once Kimi shows him who's boss and he's had his first blow-up.

[RWC]

I'm a little surprised JPM is moaning about this.
The right thing would be to say "they're favouring ralf-fair enough,there are reasons for it and they can do whatever they want as i'm leaving soon-but i just wanted to state a fact"

[Adam43]

People say things like that all the time . Especially when being interviewed.
Perhaps he thought it was obvious why it would happen and didn't need to mention it

[acf8181]

i think the main reason ralf was quick is his attitude...he seemed much cherpier in interviews...in a jVesqe kind of way.