Juan Pablo Montoya has revealed in an interview with British newspaper the Sunday Times that he always believed he had the speed to beat his team mate, Ralf Schumacher, even when he was struggling to get to grips with the more nervous Formula One™ car at the beginning of his first year racing in the sport.

The Colombian was taken on by Williams after two seasons in the American CART series, and although immediately a popular addition to the pit lane he took some time to adjust to driving an F1™ machine.

He firmly stamped his mark of authority on the sport at the third round of the 2001 championship, in Brazil, when he made a brave pass on Michael Schumacher for the lead, before being punted out the race from behind by Jos Verstappen.

However, at the next race he suffered a difficult event that his colleague R Schumacher went on to win - the first victory for the BMW WilliamsF1 partnership. Montoya then had several events that saw him fighting to show his true talent, with his lowest ebb coming in Monaco where he crashed out on lap two.

"It was around Monaco when everything turned (bad). It was the first race I actually made a mistake, and I drove (badly) all weekend," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

"I don't know anyone who likes getting beaten by his team-mate. I believed that I had the speed to beat Ralf, even though Ralf is a really good driver, the toughest team-mate I've ever had."

However, he fought back to win in Italy and take three pole positions that year. Indeed, this season he is already being hailed by some journalists as Michael Schumacher's only true rival in 2002, and is well-loved by his team as borne out by their joy whenever he shows well at a GP.

"He will know the mechanics on his car, will know if they're married, what their names are and whether they've got children," technical director Patrick Head was reported as saying by the Sunday Times.

"They appreciate that, though it must be said they would rather have an unpleasant (driver) who's quick than a super-nice guy who doesn't use the equipment hard out on the circuit.

"(Juan) knows that the more people in the team like him, and want to get the best out of themselves for him and the team, the better it is for him."

Montoya has staked his claim on the championship so far this year, with two second places and one fifth so far. He currently lies third in the Drivers' FIA Formula One World Championship™ with ten points.