2007-02-03 03:04:11 · 20 answers · asked by Coleen L 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ Formula One
Erik, you are correct. He did get run out of F1. He had no other options, (Ganassi cars have much better drivers than he in IRL and the NASCAR seat for Ganassi was open.), he burned bridges with most F1 drivers & teams and his arrogant attitude had gotten old. And he definitely wasn't the one in the shadow of Schumacher. There were plenty of others ahead of him. His "popularity" in NASCAR right now is a misconception, that is the media trying to build him up. They have been trying to get the fans interested in him but that could be a stretch. His lack of patience and "big head" will not win over many in the garage and it could be a long year for him.
F1 fan? Who said anything about being an F1 fan? Oh, and by the way, I'm an American born & raised not European. Montoya was pretty much a disapointment and underachiever in F1. Sure he won races but in 6 seasons he failed to win a championship thus didn't live up to expectations. He had continual troubles with the cars, ruining them many times and hurting his teammates chances of winning on many occasions. His comments regarding Schumacher's "legacy" in America make no sense..drivers don't talk about the legends that way. And if he is saying that Schumacher is nothing in America, why would anyone know him? Cuz he won Indy? Most NASCAR fans could care less about Indy..they don't even know that Tony Stewart won an IRL Championship? Read up on the F1 portion of his career at this link..this explains his issues..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Montoya. Don't forget to read the part that says.."With no apparent chance of a top drive in Formula 1 for 2007, Montoya opted, mid-season, to end his open wheel racing career and make the move to stock car racing and NASCAR"..since you said he could have driven for anyone.
How bout we agree then that it wouldn't have been the ride he wanted? On the popularity, maybe there are no "personalities" in F1 like there used to be. My dad used to take me to Watkins Glen, when F1 used to run there, to watch Andretti, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Scheckter, Peterson, Peroni, Laffite, Hunt, Regazzoni. They were amazing personalities. Anyone who is a true racing fan knows those names! No one in F1 like that anymore!
Same to you! Should be an exciting NASCAR season this year..looking forward to it. Lots of great storylines to follow. Good luck with your drivers!
2007-02-03 08:08:08 · answer #1 · answered by Fatherof2 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He had a habit that not a lot of people loved contained in the paddock. Hitting stuff that he wasn't meant to hit. Like a loose drain conceal in Shanghai very last 3 hundred and sixty 5 days. He is actual not neglected very a lot, yet there is yet another pilot that expressed his purpose to leave for Nascar. Jacques Villeneuve reported that he ought to flow to racing inventory automobiles if he would not get a racing seat next 3 hundred and sixty 5 days.
2016-12-03 09:49:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to ruin it for you " Know it all" but the reason Juan Pablo left is strictly for the money. Yes..F-1 drivers make good money with little racing but its more risky. NASCAR isn't as risky and you make a hell of alot more cash. A.J. Almendinger wanted to go to F-1. That's why he went to Champ Car. But he when to NASCAR when he thought the whole thing out. And, yes, they hate him for doing it, but, hes only going where the cash is. Besides..If you remember.. Juan Pablo used to race for Chip back in the day in the CART Series. Plain and simple...its where the money is at.
2007-02-06 15:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by Racer X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Juan is the biggest spoilt sport I have ever seen. Many people in the paddock have been critisising him in 2006. Ron Dennis said that he was very emotional and did not take his physical training serously. In Canada he kicked Nico Rosberg out of the race and in usa he caused the big pile up which angered many people. He also felt that his driving seat in mclaren was not safe and he did not have a chance in a bigger team so he joined nascar. It had nothing to do with money.
2007-02-04 00:56:34 · answer #4 · answered by Nitin T F1 fan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could have joined an F1 team. Williams was willing to take him back, but he didn't care for how they treated him before. He decided that he should get a fresh start, and NASCAR offered him that opportunity.
2007-02-06 18:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by mustang6172 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The whole thing can be summed up in one dirty little word: politics.
He has a reputation for being aloof and difficult to deal with. His talent was never really in question. He ticked off the wrong people and would have had to have offered his services at a big discount to be picked up by any team. Considering that there were three teams doing anything when he made his decision, and that those teams have their drivers set for this season, he would have had to have driven for a second tier team for less money. Here, he runs a few more races, but doesn't have to fly around the world to do it. It could be a good move for him.
2007-02-03 10:56:23 · answer #6 · answered by Ron Obvious 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The best drivers in the world in terms of talent are F1 drivers, followed by WRC. But NASCAR racing is fender-to-fender with lots of strategy and lead changes. Drivers and crews are friendly and all speak the same language. Fans are respectful of others and not nationalistic, so they like the driver and not the marque.
In F1 the polesitter wins unless he really screws up. it's boring and the drivers are snobs.
2007-02-04 05:55:13 · answer #7 · answered by artsy5347 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you could make the same paycheck by only working one day a week instead of five, would you do it? How about if you only had to work 1/10 as hard for it?
He went because NASCAR has high-dollar sponsors and not much else. There is no skill, there are no right turns, and he won't have to concentrate on all the little buttons & dials on his steering wheel.
Montoya will be able to take a nap while driving and win.
2007-02-03 10:19:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
For the people saying he came to nascar to make more money, he actually took a big paycut. f1 drivers make way more than the top nascar drivers
2007-02-06 07:27:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He had no choice. McLaren gave him the boot and no other team was willing to pick him up. Since he and Ganassi had such a good relationship before, Ganassi picked him up and set him up for a new career. I think Montoya wanted it anyways. He wasn't being taken seriously in F1 anymore and he was tired of being in Schumacher's shadow.
2007-02-03 03:47:41 · answer #10 · answered by Erik S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋