Dennis backing Montoya to improve

Ron Dennis believes Juan Pablo Montoya will become a better driver at McLaren.

Montoya, a former Indianapolis 500 winner, showed glimpses of brilliance in his four years at Williams but was allowed to move to McLaren after failing to regularly challenge Michael Schumacher.

Dennis believes there is much more to come from the Colombian than his four wins from 68 grands prix since his debut in 2001.

Dennis signed Montoya to replace David Coulthard before last season even started and he is confident he made the right choice.

The McLaren boss said: "There are times within the team when opportunities present themselves and you have to take them. It was a decision quickly taken.

"Juan Pablo is still on the up and we believe he will be a better racing driver with our team.

"There's always a risk with any change but we think it's a very balanced and calculated risk and we believe he will be a better racing driver with the team.

"I am fairly convinced it will be a different environment he will find himself in and one that will get the best out of him, which is yet to come."