After what's been a shaky season capped off by an accident involving teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have announced today that effective immediately, Montoya will step down as a driver for the Formula One team.

The news comes after an announcement Sunday that Montoya would race next season for his former boss Chip Ganassi's NASCAR team.

According to McLaren CEO and chairman Ron Dennis: "Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have mutually agreed for him to step down in the forthcoming races of this year's Formula One World Championship. We have agreed that, with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future."

Replacing Montoya will be current test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who will make his debut on the track alongside Raikkonen this Sunday at the French Grand Prix.

For more info, head over to Autonet.ca for the full story.