Montoya signs for McLaren for 2005
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Montoya: "I am thrilled to be joining McLaren Mercedes."
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LONDON, England -- Juan Pablo Montoya will drive for the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team in 2005, after completing his current deal with rivals BMW Williams, McLaren said.
The Colombian, who finished third in last season's drivers' championship and was a title contender right up until the final race, has won three Grands Prix since joining Williams from the American CART circuit in 2001.
"I am thrilled to be joining McLaren Mercedes," said the 28-year-old.
"The team is consistently a strong world championship contender and has a fantastic heritage. It's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to the first time I will be able to drive one of their cars."
McLaren said the current lineup of Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard would stay in place for the 2004 season.
"We want to win races and World Championships, and in order to do so we have to plan for the future whilst applying every effort in the short term," team boss Ron Dennis said in a statement.
"The opportunity to sign a talent like Juan Pablo was too good to miss, and there is already a considerable amount of anticipation within our team about 2005."
Finland's Mika Hakkinen was the last driver to win the drivers' world championship for McLaren, in 1999.
"We are certainly looking forward to seeing what he (Montoya) can do in one of our cars and I believe that it's a prospect that can't fail to excite Formula One fans around the world," added Dennis.
