Berger Tips Montoya for Title

World champion Michael Schumacher will not retire at the end of this season even if Juan Pablo Montoya pips him to the title, former Formula One ace Gerhard Berger said yesterday.

Berger, the retiring motorsport boss of Williams' engine partners BMW, believes Montoya is now the firm favourite to beat Schumacher to this year's title after securing a run of seven successive podiums.

But the Austrian star - who drove for Williams' rivals Ferrari and McLaren during his Grand Prix career - warned Montoya that five-time World Champion Schumacher will hang around to haunt him for some time to come.

"I think Michael will go on for another few years," said Berger. "He is suffering a bit at the moment. He can handle it but I think Montoya is in a position to do it and it depends on him staying out of trouble."

Montoya is known for his rash mistakes and his notorious failure to cope under pressure has seen him almost throw away two podium places in this year's 13 Grands Prix.

Montoya now sits just one point behind Schumacher in the title race with McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen lurking just one more point back and ready to pounce.

And Berger believes it is now crucial for the Colombian star to top the times in Saturday qualifying so he can make a clean break and avoid a potential first-lap collision if he wants to achieve his championship dream.

"Montoya and Schumacher could come together and ruin the whole thing for both of them," said Berger. "The most important advice would be put it on pole and stay out of trouble.

"It is a big advantage to be on pole, especially for the first lap when you just have to keep it clean. Michael has experience of this situation but Montoya is quick, he has everything he needs and he should be able to win it."