McLaren were helped by Ferrari's virtual absence from Sunday's race, with seven-times world champion Schumacher starting from the pit lane after being demoted from pole in a qualifying controversy that overshadowed the weekend.

His Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa compounded Ferrari's woes by crashing in the first qualifying session and starting from the back of the grid.

Although Schumacher managed to claw his way back to fifth, that did not impress Montoya.

"Last year I started last and finished fourth," he said.

Montoya's memory was playing tricks with him, however. Last year he was also fifth in Monaco, behind Alonso in a race won by Raikkonen.