Montoya welcomes Villeneuve to NASCAR
August 30th 2007 02:59
JV and JPM both left F1 part-way through 2006
Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 World Champion, is due to test for the Craftsman truck feeder series this week, and is set to compete in next year’s Nextel Cup, alongside fellow F1 exile, Montoya.
“I think it's nice to see Jacques, and hopefully he does well,” said Montoya, who was recently criticised by some NASCAR rivals for being reckless.
"If I can help in any way I will. He's a nice guy," he said.
Montoya and Villeneuve’s relationship has come along way since 2001, when the French-Canadian allegedly grabbed Montoya by the throat following a comment about a crash in Melbourne that claimed the life of a marshal.
The pair also nearly came to blows in a press conference later in the year, and needed to be physically restrained when a heated exchange of words followed accusations of brake testing.
But Villenueve maintains that the two have simmered down since then, and that he looks forward to racing against the Colombian.
"We had a hard time, I would say early in our careers," said the 36 year old.
"There were just a few high-spirited moments in car on the track."
Montoya, who lies 18th in the Nextel Cup standings with one win, believes the pair can form a bond in the NASCAR paddock.
"There will be something there," he said. "I don't know how big or how small, but we have a lot of things in common.
"Jacques is very cool, he's changed a lot since I first knew him. He's like a kid. He's always buying music. I look forward to him getting here."
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