What do you get if you mix one of the greatest tracks in the world with a hard-charging, out-of-position driver? Answer: Some incredible onboard camera footage…
Having put in an incredible performance in qualifying, Juan Pablo Montoya was supposed to start the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa from pole position. But after Heinz-Harald Frentzen stalled his Prost at the end of the formation lap, the Colombian then found his Williams unwilling to fire up at the beginning of the second lap to the grid. That lumbered Montoya at the back of the field, and when the race was red flagged following a monster accident involving Luciano Burti and Eddie Irvine on the fourth lap, the burly racer was still in the lower reaches. And that’s where we join a feistier-than-normal Montoya as he tackles the re-start and a busy opening lap, a lap which includes a superb getaway, a spot of first-corner wheel-banging with Jaguar’s Pedro de la Rosa, and a string of confident passes. Sadly, though, the Williams man’s early efforts would be in vain - on the second lap, with a brilliant recovery drive in the offing, his BMW engine let go.
Next Up
Related Articles
AS IT HAPPENED: Antonelli wins Japanese GP
Wolff reflects on Russell's issues during Japanese GP
McLaren ‘surprised’ themselves with Japan pace – Stella
Watch the race start in Japan as Piastri seizes lead
Antonelli takes championship lead with victory in Japan
Watch Round 3 of the 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship