McLaren have pulled off a major coup by signing Colombian ace Juan Pablo Montoya for the 2005 Formula One season.
McLaren are determined to wrestle the balance of power in Formula One away from Ferrari and have signalled their intent by persuading Montoya to walk out on Williams.
"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," commented Ron Dennis, CEO and chairman of McLaren on their website.
"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.
"We are certainly looking forward to seeing what he 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."
The current McLaren team consists of Scottish racer David Coulthard and Finnish ace Kimi Raikkonen, but the arrival in 2005 of Montoya could cast a shadow over the long term future of Coulthard in the team as Raikkonen emerged as the biggest rival to Michael Schumacher last season.
Montoya is clearly looking forward to the challenge, as he said: "I am thrilled to be joining Team McLaren Mercedes.
"It's a great opportunity for me and I'm really looking forward to the first time I will be able to drive one of their cars.
"To join them is an amazing challenge and experience which I plan to fully enjoy.
"However, my short term aim is to concentrate 100 percent on winning the 2004 World Championship."
McLaren are determined to wrestle the balance of power in Formula One away from Ferrari and have signalled their intent by persuading Montoya to walk out on Williams.
"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," commented Ron Dennis, CEO and chairman of McLaren on their website.
"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.
"We are certainly looking forward to seeing what he 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."
The current McLaren team consists of Scottish racer David Coulthard and Finnish ace Kimi Raikkonen, but the arrival in 2005 of Montoya could cast a shadow over the long term future of Coulthard in the team as Raikkonen emerged as the biggest rival to Michael Schumacher last season.
Montoya is clearly looking forward to the challenge, as he said: "I am thrilled to be joining Team McLaren Mercedes.
"It's a great opportunity for me and I'm really looking forward to the first time I will be able to drive one of their cars.
"To join them is an amazing challenge and experience which I plan to fully enjoy.
"However, my short term aim is to concentrate 100 percent on winning the 2004 World Championship."
,Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.