Why Montoya bugs Schumacher

"As long as we never crash into each other, then it's perfect."

Williams' technical director Patrick Head - Sir Frank's right-hand man - agrees.

He said: "Juan and Ralf are never going to go on holiday with each other, but they've learned that if they want to beat the opposition they have to work together."

Drawing Montoya on the subject of his team-mate is more difficult. He tends to respond with a shrug and a smile. The more you try to upset Montoya, the more it tickles him. His amusement with Schumacher's undisguised dislike serves only to irritate the German more. "It's good," is all 26-year-old Montoya will say. "We've got very different styles, but we work together."

Many have Montoya down as the next world champion. Plenty believe he will not wait politely for Schumacher to retire before wresting the crown from him, anticipating fireworks from the word go when the new season kicks off in Melbourne this Sunday.

"The writing is on the wall for Michael," says 1996 champion Damon Hill.

"It's cyclical. At the end of an era dominated by one man, there's always an overlapping period when a new guy threatens to knock him off his perch.

"Juan will be winning races for the next 10 years. I feel a bit sorry for Ralf.''

The irony is that at present Schumacher earns £7.5 million a season from Williams, while Montoya banks around £2m.

But the Colombian should not have to endure such penury for too much longer, given the bidding war likely at the end of the season when his contract expires. "I don't care what other drivers earn," shrugs Montoya. "I drive for fun, not money.

"If you don't enjoy it, you won't put your life on the line. I'm fairly aggressive. Every time I go out I look to move the limit further."

That is typical Montoya. If he has a weakness, it is that he is not a percentage driver. He cares more about beating Michael Schumacher at any cost than amassing points for the title. Certainly he is openly scornful of Ferrari's decision to take last year's car to the first three races, rather than risk the fast but unreliable F2002.

He said: "It's a negative move for Ferrari and positive for us. If we had brought last year's car we would be 10th on the grid.

"Everybody talks about beating Michael, but you've got to beat everyone. He's the guy who can win most races because he has the best car. People sometimes forget it takes more than a driver. Put Michael in a Toyota or a Minardi and he won't win."