Honda would have considered Montoya's mental side

By Phil Huff
January 31 2007

Juan Pablo Montoya would have thrived at Honda, thanks to a different approach to personal development at the Brackley team, so says team boss Nick Fry.

"I am sure that Juan Pablo Montoya would have developed differently with us, as we always consider the mental side," Fry told Motorsport Aktuall, taking a swipe at rivals McLaren.

Montoya drove for Williams and McLaren in recent years, splitting with both in acrimonious circumstances, before finding a ride in the easy going NASCAR series, but Honda Racing F1 would have done what was necessary to nurture his talent and get him back to winning ways.

"You must permit feelings," adds Fry. "Every person sometimes sits at home in the evening, annoyed over something. Why should F1 drivers be any different?"

"I felt the same last season," says Fry, speaking about the build up to the Hungarian win that saw significant personnel changes, not least the ousting of Geoff Willis. "That was like a jerk. Such a motivational thrust must first be backed up by the team philosophy."

"If the human factor is included, the workers feel better - and are more inclined to work longer and harder."