"European drivers very weak mentally," says JP Montoya

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Former Williams and McLaren stalwart Juan-Pablo Montoya labeled European drivers as "mentally weak" as he remembered his time in Formula 1.

A veteran of 94 Grand Prix starts, Montoya clinched seven victories between 2001 and 2006, four with Williams and three with McLaren, before heading to the US, racing in NASCAR and more recently in Indycar.

In an interview with Formula 1's official website, asked which drivers pushed him during his spell at the pinnacle of motorsport, Montoya offered an interesting assessment.

"I think all of them," the Colombian said.

"I learned a lot when I ran with Ralf (Schumacher), he was really quick. But European drivers are very weak mentally.

"You can get in their head really easily and I think that explains what you're seeing today and what you've always seen in F1.

"When things go their way, they're really strong. When Lewis is winning, he's unstoppable but if something goes wrong, they spiral down, it's huge.

"If the cars' were closer together I think you would see different people winning."

Montoya, whose 'weakness' in 2006 prompted McLaren to part ways with the Colombian mid-season, conceded however that Michael Schumacher was as tough as they came.

"Michael was one of the few guys that was really strong. You could get in his head but he was strong.

"Ralf on the other hand was a guy who was nearly impossible to beat, but if you could beat him on his A day, you could get in his head.

"We all have our weaknesses, you just got to figure out which ones they are."

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The two-time Indy 500 winner aplaced Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso at the top of Formula 1's current crop.

"Vettel is probably one of the most complete guys, and also Fernando, I ran with him in my career. I think those are the two best drivers overall.

"Lewis does a really good job but he's in the best car. It's very easy to think that a guy in the best car is the best driver.

"But the question is, if they were not in the best car how would they handle things. Fernando and Sebastian have endured that and I think they are the best."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.