Montoya released by McLaren
Juan Pablo Montoya can get started on his NASCAR career a little early.
In an expected move, F1 team McLaren announced Tuesday that driver Pedro de la Rosa would replace Montoya in the seat of the team's car, effective immediately.
It had been widely speculated that Montoya would be released from his obligations with the Formula One team early in order to begin his new career in NASCAR. Montoya shocked the racing world by announcing this past weekend that he would leave F1 to join Chip Ganassi's Nextel Cup team. Montoya previously drove for Ganassi in the CART series.
"Juan Pablo is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to the NASCAR scene," said Ron Dennis, McLaren CEO and chairman. "We have agreed that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future."
The move allows Montoya, who lives in Miami with his family and wife Connie – who is pregnant with the couple's second child (due in September) – to begin testing immediately with his new NASCAR team.
"We believe that Juan Pablo's decision to move to NASCAR is very important for him professionally and we will give him every support to ensure that it is a successful transition," said Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice president.
Montoya will drive Ganassi's No. 42 Dodge in Nextel Cup while also competing in some Busch Series races.
This weekend's F1 French Grand Prix will be De la Rosa's second race appearance for the team after substituting for an injured Montoya in the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix.
