F1 Team McLaren Mercedes Announces Juan Pablo Montoya's Departure

[Alx]

After what's been a shaky season capped off by an accident involving teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have announced today that effective immediately, Montoya will step down as a driver for the Formula One team.

The news comes after an announcement Sunday that Montoya would race next season for his former boss Chip Ganassi's NASCAR team.

According to McLaren CEO and chairman Ron Dennis: "Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have mutually agreed for him to step down in the forthcoming races of this year's Formula One World Championship. We have agreed that, with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future."

Replacing Montoya will be current test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who will make his debut on the track alongside Raikkonen this Sunday at the French Grand Prix.

For more info, head over to Autonet.ca for the full story.

 

[YoungWarrior]

I cant say im sad. He was exciting in his first two seasons, but he fell off.

 

[warot]

oi, that was kind of sudden. i thought they were going to wait until the end of the season, guess not. Not like he was doing great anyway, oh well.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Sayonara! He was completely overhyped and never delivered.

 

[bmwownage]

I really don't think he was overhyped... as i have said before, who in the grid is better than him? He hasn't been spectacular this season, but what are the reasons behind it? I mean even Michael Schumacher had a hard time when his Ferrari when it didn't suit him...

F1 has lost a star, and obviously Montoya must be thinking he is better off doing NASCAR than being criticised in F1... i'm sure he had some options to stay in F1, but with a team like Williams? Williams will be facing the same fate as Jordan without a proper partner, so it is better for him to leave F1 in a Mclaren...

 

[LaArtist]

im so happy..he sucked..