Jeff Gordan And Juan Pablo Montoya

SnakeEyeSS · June 10, 2003

This is from BMW News section of bmwusa.com:

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Juan Pablo Montoya and Jeff Gordon to Swap Cars on Wednesday

Showtime in Indianapolis

Munich, 5th June 2003. A date for the diary - on Wednesday, 11th June Monaco GP winner Juan Pablo Montoya and four-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon will be exchanging race cars in Indianapolis – the WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 against the beefy Chevrolet. Neither Montoya nor Gordon have sat behind the wheel of each other’s car, despite both being celebrated stars of the race track. On the Indianapolis Motor Speedway they will each be venturing onto the other’s territory for the first time.

Following a brief warm-up at 12 p.m. local time, the American star will be the first to do his laps in the FW24. Then Montoya will set off in the Chevrolet. Afterwards, both drivers will go out onto the track together. Fans will be admitted free to this event and there will also be a press conference.

Both drivers are familiar with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and still have lots of ambitions to realise on this historic circuit. In 2000, Montoya (27) won the Indy 500 on the world’s most famous oval track, and in September 2003 he will launch another attempt to secure a historic double victory by winning the US Grand Prix as well.

Jeff Gordon (31) has already won the Brickyard 400 three times – one of the highlights of the NASCAR season. In August 2003 he will be bidding for his fourth victory at Indianapolis. Gordon has not driven a single mile of the GP course, which covers only part of the oval in addition to a twisty infield section, running in the reverse direction to the stock car oval.

Montoya, only previously a spectator at NASCAR events, is looking forward to some sheer driving pleasure four days ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix: “It’s a great car swap. We’re both going to have a lot of fun. The weight of the NASCAR will really make itself felt in the turns and it will also mean much longer braking distances. Jeff, on the other hand, will be surprised by the power and handling of our Formula One car. There’s simply nothing to compare it with.”

SnakeEyeSS · June 10, 2003

some background for you non F1 people:

Juan Pablo Montoya:

Columbian, considered a yound driver with loads of potential, this guy is about as agressive and crazy as you get. Overall a good driver, who is close to being one of the best.

he always comes close to a win, but usually plows through a another car or spins out near the end of a race, he dosen't mind bumping wheels, or the other car out of the way.

BMW-Williams FW24:

The newest, bext BMW-Williams car(of course). It's BMW engine is currently the strongest, most powerful engine in Formula 1, and all together the BMW-Willaims FW24 is the best F1 car.

Due to the BMW-Williams drivers(Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya) they aren't the best right now, but if JPM could use a little more care on the track, and Ralf could stay out of wrecks, they could pull of a close overall win this year.

For more info, go to bmwusa.com and use the flash navigation at the top of the screen to go to the BMW Motorsport website.

SnakeEyeSS · June 10, 2003

okay, the FW25 is the current car they use, so the FW24 was LAST year's car, LAST year's engine(2002 season).

JPM took first at the Monaco Grand Prix on June 1st.

antig24 · June 10, 2003

That sounds interesting, I'll make sure to watch that

Fishhunter911 · June 10, 2003

uuuuuggggghhhhhhhhhh Gordon!

MCourson · June 11, 2003

Juan Pablo also races go karts and last November he showed up and raced at our local event. This was no big event, it was only about 60 karts on our little 5 acre park.

Gilbert · June 11, 2003

Watch it Snake Eyes:

JPM is the man. I've never seen him plow into anyone as you just mentioned. And he is the best driver, with one exception (Big Brother Shummi). Regretfully, I must admitt, M Shummi.. is the best I've seen since the Senna or even Prost.

I am a BIG F1 fan, and for the past 15+ years I've watched almost every Formula One race. JPM's balls are as big as Texas, as he is the only man fearless enough to bang wheels with the M. Shummi, and then past him buy.

He's never plowed into anyone, he is an excellent racer. He's made a couple of mistakes under pressure, but hey, this is only his 3rd year in F1.

Ralfi is on his way out with Williams. He'll never see the 2004 season in a Williams. Once Williams develops their aerodynamics package, look out, JPM will rule.

SnakeEyeSS · June 11, 2003

HEY! I'm not bashing him, he is my favorite driver! I think it's cool there is a driver who has an edge and wants to drive cricle around the rest of them. The first article I ever read about him was in Bimmer magazine, and they said the BMW-Williams people were upset because he was too undiciplined(two, or three years ago) and they were wabnting him to get his act together. then monaco happened, and look BMW- Williams has a shot this year!!!!

UPDATE:

I just got the newest issue of the BMW Car Club of America Publication, and it state's that BMW is angry with the Williams poor management of the F1 team. The FW25, wich was supposed to be a revolutionary design STINKS!!!!. Ralf Schumacher was quoted as saying

GREAT QUOTE:

"I've put in better miles on my rental car between the test track and the motel"

And they fired the teams aerodymanisists who designed the FW25. BMW may either buy the entire team, or start looking for another partner. Other racing groups have alrady approaced BMW looking for an engine partner.

Gilbert · July 13, 2003

Juan did have teething problems, but nothing significant. He tested for Williams during his Cart career. In the days of yester-year When qualifying was all about the fastest car/driver combo, Juan was famous for his all-out balls to the wall time trials. He really pushed the F1 car to it's limits. All that has changed now though.

BMW's F1 division director and former F1 racer "Gerhard Berger" has resigned. BMW tried to put the muscle on Frank Williams and Patrick Head. But Williams held strong and refused to give them a bigger roll. BMW is only to provide engines, nothing else. Frank's been in the F1 business a whole lot longer that BMW, so I think that's good.

On another note, after Ralfy's semi weak performance (his refusal to take on big brother Shummi) in Montreal he was given a warning by Frank. He received a stern letter from Frank. Frank's letter to Ralf essencially said that the TEAM expected better things from him.

Now, after that, what-da-know !, Ralfy won the last two races. Nothing like the fear of losing a good ride to make you drive harder. Franks one tough dude.

After the French gradprix, BMW signed a 9yr deal with Williams. To make things even sweeter, it looks like Williams has finally solved there aero package problems.

Want a good read, try Formula One magazine.