Montoya

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Ferrari has made a mistake in its decision to run with last year's car at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

The Colombian told reporters that Ferrari's decision to stick with last year's version could cost it a chance of winning the season-opening Formula One race.

"They're starting with a car that last year had a lot of potential," Montoya said. "But if they didn't change the car a lot from last year, it might not be the winning car."

Montoya said Ferrari's decision to stick with a more reliable car rather than risk going with a new car would give the Williams team a big advantage.

"(It's) positive for us and negative for them if you really think about it," Montoya said. "If we came here with last year's car we'd end up 10th on the grid."

The Williams team is feeling bullish after an impressive preseason testing program with Australia's former world champion Alan Jones already tipping Montoya to challenge Michael Schumacher for the drivers' championship.

The 26-year-old Montoya made a big impression in his first season in Formula One last year, claiming his first victory at Monza in September.

"If the development and the progress of the car continues, I think he's got every chance of beating Schumacher," Jones said.

"I just like his style of driving, he doesn't give up. He's head down, bum up and he goes for it. I like that style of driver."

For his part, Montoya was keen to play down his pending rivalry with Schumacher, saying he treated him just like any other driver.

"Apart from Michael, you've got to beat everybody else as well," Montoya said. "You've got to focus on driving the car, not beating Michael.

"Everybody thinks it's about beating Michael ... but it's not only a matter of beating only Michael. There's 21 cars out there. Where you need to focus is in making sure you do the right job. If you do the right job, the results will come."