Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Fernando Alonso’s recent complaint that Lewis Hamilton is receiving more support from his McLaren chiefs this season.
The Colombian, now a fixture of America’s NASCAR scene, joined the Woking based outfit as one of F1’s brightest stars at the beginning of 2005 but brusquely left mid-way through last season after failing to shine alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
Montoya observed in an interview with the Associated Press this week that rookie Hamilton, albeit partnered at the Mercedes-powered outfit by F1’s reigning world champion, is “clearly the number 1 on the team”.
He explained: “But there’s always a No. 1 at McLaren. I mean, Fernando Alonso said it himself.”
Montoya admitted that championship leader and back to back winner Hamilton is a “really good” driver but pointed out that team boss Ron Dennis supported the 22-year-old since he was a child.
“He has an advantage that … there really always is a favourite driver on the team,” Montoya said.
