JPM slams Ferrari tactics

Montoya scored a strong second place at Sepang and had closed to within 3.7s of Schumacher's leading Ferrari just prior to their third and final pit stops. Montoya stopped on lap 39 with Schumacher pitting a lap later, but unfortunately for the Colombian, he rejoined just behind Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari, who ran another five laps before stopping.

From a regular pace in the low 1m36s bracket, Barrichello slowed to 1:37.2 and then 1:37.9 before speeding up again just prior to his last stop. By this time, Schumacher was 9.2s in front of Montoya.

Montoya tried to pass Barrichello and said: "I got a run on him, I think it was into Turn 4, but as soon as I moved he closed the door straight away and his pace backed off. I was on new tyres and there were 12 laps to go, but there was no point even trying to pass. It was a shame because even cruising I could lap in the 1:36s no problem, but I just backed off. It was better to go home with eight points than to be out of the race. It's a good result for me and for the team."

Montoya would not be drawn on whether ultimately he thinks he can fight Schumacher for the championship.

"It's hard to say. It's early days. The car still needs quite a bit of work because in the end we are trying to be at a better level than them. You need to have a car that is consistent enough to win everywhere. They obviously have a winning car and we are close in places.

"The guys did a very good job here but we've still got work to do. But it's about consistency. The secret is to be able to score eight points like we did today and then win when we are in a position to. If we can do that then, yes, we can fight him."