Montoya summoned by FIA

Sources have claimed that representatives of Costa Rica's motoring organisation made an official complaint about Montoya's actions at the FIA World Council meeting in Paris on Wednesday, and the matter has now been referred to the next meeting in Monaco on December 10.

It is understood that Montoya had made a public commitment to attend an event in Costa Rica in September 2003, where the country's president and other representatives would use his popularity in South America to promote moves to introduce compulsory use of seat belts.

But Montoya did not attend and, although the Colombian is believed to have claimed he was unwell at the time, there are suggestions that he missed the event because he was so annoyed at being given a drive-through penalty at the 2003 United States Grand Prix following a collision with Rubens Barrichello.

It is understood that Montoya is being summoned by the FIA under Article 27 of its statutes because his actions in Costa Rica: "have inflicted moral injury and loss on the FIA, a World Council, their Members of their executive officers."

If Montoya's explanations for his absence are not satisfactory, then he could face a fine, or even have his licence taken away from him for a period of time - which could prevent him from testing or racing at the start of next season.

The FIA has refused to comment about the situation.