Montoya to stay behind wheel for Williams-BMW

Will Gray, Reuters, London, England

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya will continue racing for the Williams-BMW team until the end of 2004, the team said on Thursday.

"Juan is an outstanding talent," said team chief Frank Williams.

"Both his natural resource of skill and the continuity that this agreement offers will provide a considerable impetus... to build a championship challenge in 2003 and 2004."

The deal means both Montoya and German team-mate Ralf Schumacher will remain at the Grove-based outfit for a further two years, giving them crucial long-term stability.

The line-up gives Williams the potential to provide a serious challenge to the domination of Ferrari and world champion Michael Schumacher in the next two years.

Montoya, 26, was always likely to stay at the team, which gave him his grand prix debut at the start of last year, and he finalized the deal after delays in final negotiations with Frank Williams.

"I have no doubt that both Williams and BMW are completely determined and have the will to win a championship title," said Montoya. "That is why I am delighted to be racing for them."

Williams helped Montoya through Formula 3000 before shipping him off to the United States Champ Car series, where he won the title in 1999.

He is currently joint second with teammate Schumacher in the fight for the world championship runners-up spot.