Montoya gives Franchitti high rating

Juan Pablo Montoya believes CART racing star Dario Franchitti could make the step up into the hectic word of Formula One.

Juan Pablo Montoya believes that CART racing star Dario Franchitti could make the step up into the hectic word of Formula One.

“Dario could have a chance. He had a test here with Jaguar last year, but it wasn’t so good, so the final decision is up to him,” said Montoya. “Apart from Franchitti, I don’t see anybody who could do it. Bruno Junqueira has had a test drive in F1, but he has still got to learn a little bit. He has been quick, but he’s also made silly mistakes.”

Franchitti, who is engaged to American actress Ashley Judd, is the glamour boy of the CART racing scene and could soon follow Montoya into F1. He is in second place in the championship behind Kenny Brack.

He has often said one of his aims is to win the F1 world championship title.

Franchitti, a Scot, tested with the Jaguar Racing team last year, but there were problems with the car and he did not have a chance to set competitive lap times.

But Jaguar boss Bobby Rahal has said that he rates Franchitti very highly and has even hinted that he may give him another test in the future.

BAR driver and 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve also switched from CART to Formula One.