Montoya: Schuey cut across me

After out-braking himself into the first corner, polesitter Montoya was seeking to regain the lead by slipstreaming the world champion down the long straight into Reta Oposta. Montoya jinked to the left and Schumacher followed suit. The Colombian then moved to the right and as the Ferrari mirrored his action the front wing of the Williams was dislodged.

"After the start I made a mistake in the first corner," admitted Montoya, "therefore Michael could get in front of me. Afterwards I tried to overtake him again, but he cut across and ripped off my front wing. I am very disappointed. I thought he was a fair guy to race with but he's definitely not."

Schumacher, who went on to win the race, claimed he was unaware of Montoya's troubles.

"I don't know what happened at Turn Four," he said. "I went for the inside line to leave him the outside."

Montoya set the fastest lap of the race as he charged his way back through the field. He eventually finished fifth to take two championship points. He now lies 10 points behind Schumacher in the drivers' standings.