Button should have been kept on, says Ralf

Schumacher claims that with the team only one year into its engine supply deal with F1 returnee BMW, it would have benefitted from the continuity of an unchanged driver line-up, instead of bringing in Champ Car sensation Juan Pablo Montoya.

"I feel that him leaving us is nothing positive," said Schumacher. "It's a pity to tear apart our team and put Montoya in the car. No one can tell how well he will perform. I think we could and should have kept the driver line-up as it is this year."

The German believes Montoya will find the switch from Champ Cars to F1 difficult, but says he is prepared to be proved wrong.

"Let's put it this way," he said. "It will not be as easy as the switch to Champ Cars [from Formula 3000]. I cannot see him coming into F1 and starting to win right away. But I cannot exclude it since I do not know him.

"All I know is that he was not too impressive when he was testing for Williams. But that is a couple of years ago and he has gained experience since then."

But although Schumacher believes the retention of Button is the better option, he remains to be convinced on how good the 20-year-old will ultimately become.

"Only time will reveal that," said Schumacher. "Many drivers have done well in their first year . It looked different in their second and after the third they went home. Therefore I can only say 'wait and see'."