Formula One news

Montoya: 'Kimi's no better than me'

Juan Pablo Montoya has denied that he is the 'inferior' McLaren driver. The Colombian has won two to championship charging teammate Kimi Raikkonen's five grands prix so far this season, and thus finds himself with the painful role of supporting the Finn's quest.

"I don't feel inferior to Raikkonen," 29-year-old Montoya told Tuesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "If he's been unlucky on many occasions, I also haven't had an easy season."

Montoya, who missed races earlier this year after his alleged 'tennis' mishap, also reckons the MP4-20 was 'built around' Raikkonen, and therefore is designed to lean towards a basis of understeer.

"Exactly the opposite to what I like," Juan Pablo continued. "With time have I managed to modify it, even though it isn't yet 100 per cent to my taste."

Even if Raikkonen pulls off a miracle and wins the championship, Montoya doesn't think his position within the McLaren camp would change. "Kimi's got his group he works with," JPM said, "and I've got mine. At the moment he looks a bit stronger than me but I'm not too concerned. All I need is to find a bit better balance."

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