Montoya Surprised by Ferrari Tactics

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya has admitted that he was surprised by Ferrari's decision to order Rubens Barrichello to allow Michael Schumacher to win in the Austrian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Barrichello led the A1-Ring race throughout, but was told to slow and allow World Champion Schumacher to win by his Ferrari bosses.

And Colombian Montoya, who finished third behind the pair, said on Wednesday that he was shocked by the happenings around him on the podium - and said the same actions would not happen with his Williams team.

"I was a bit surprised because it was not the first time that it had happened," Montoya said. "I've got to say I was a bit surprised, but I did enjoy that. It was a good laugh to be there!"

Of team orders at Williams he added: "Team orders? No, they tried that last year and it didn't work."

But Montoya did admit that the reaction of the media and the general public to the incident took him by surprise - because similar incidents have happened before in the sport.

"Yes, I am really, because it happened before," he said of the public perception. "I think the position the team was in, to put out team orders wasn't necessary because they are so far ahead in the Championship that they didn't really need to do that.

"That's the team's decision. It wasn't necessary to do that. If I was within five or ten points of Michael, you know, get the points, but he's 27 points ahead of me, or something like that - that's only three races."

But he dismissed suggestions that the victory will undermine Schumacher's achievements if he lands a fifth world title this year.

"I don't think so because it happened in one race," he said. "I don't think it is going to change the reputation of the other 16 races. The guy has won the other four of five races as well, he is really quick, so I don't know. Being in his position it would be very difficult to make a decision.

"Probably, in this position, you could stand up and say I am happy with second, if it is a closer call then you would probably take the points. But at this point, you would probably do the opposite - it would have looked much better."