Montoya Grabs Top Pole Position For French Grand Prix

Topics:  French Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya

VOA Sports
July 20, 2002

Colombian Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams-BMW has won the pole for Sunday's running of the French Grand Prix race at Magny-Cours, France.

Montoya covered the 4.25 kilometer circuit in one minute, 11.985 seconds, just edging out overall points leader Michael Schumacher of Germany in a Ferrari. Schumacher's teammate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil had the third fastest time while Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren was fourth.

Saturday's pole was Montoya's fifth straight of the season. However, the Colombian has not won a race so far. Michael Schumacher can clinch the overall drivers' title if he wins Sunday's race and Montoya and Barrichello finish no better than third.

Schumacher is on pace to win a fifth straight world driving championship. He leads the drivers' standings with 86 points. Barrichello is in second place overall with 32 points. Montoya is third with 31 points.