The move by Juan Pablo Montoya to the McLaren team came as some what of a surprise for fellow BMW WilliamsF1 driver Ralf Schumacher. For Ralf it appears that the WilliamsF1 team did not put up much of a fight to keep Juan Pablo.

In a recent interview for the Guardian newspaper Ralf expressed his surprise by saying: "I was very surprised that Williams didn't keep Juan. He is a top driver but they gave him the opportunity to leave. Juan felt he'd had enough and needed another challenge. But Williams didn't fight too hard to keep him.

"I think it's a shame to lose Juan. It's even more disappointing that he is moving to a strong team."

As for Ralf's own future with the WilliamsF1 team, this is a subject with an uncertain outcome. After intense negotiations with the WilliamsF1 team Ralf is yet to extend his contract beyond the end of this season. In recent reports Ralf has spoken of his disappointment of the fact that the WilliamsF1 team backed out of an agreement at the end of last season.

Ralf said: "I had an agreement with Frank before the last race at Suzuka. The contract was drawn up and I was ready to sign in Japan. But Frank didn't show up. I was told he'd changed his mind and wanted to talk more.

"He is a tough negotiator and always tries to get a better position for his team. I have no problem with that. But he changed his mind after we had reached agreement. So I said, 'OK, if you pull out of this contract then we shall have to wait and see what happens.' I stopped all negotiations. I don't want to talk about this contract now until later in the season."

"All that matters is that we have a very good car this year," Ralf added. "I hope to stay at Williams, but you never know exactly what will happen in Formula One."

As for who will replace Juan Pablo in 2005 Ralf sees former WilliamsF1 driver Jenson Button as been high on the list but he did not rule out current Jaguar driver Mark Webber.

Ralf said: "I think Jenson Button would be a good bet ... Webber... Well, that would be much easier for me if it's Webber rather than Button."