Schumacher adds to Montoya's woes
Michael Schumacher added his weight to the growing chorus of criticism of combative Formula 1 rookie Juan Pablo Montoya at the Canadian Grand Prix
The world champion had to signal to Montoya during practice that he was threatening to drop oil all over the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and spoke to the Colombian about the potentially dangerous incident afterwards.
Schumacher's warning came just a day after Montoya had been grabbed around the throat by Jacques Villeneuve during an angry exchange in the drivers' briefing, after the pair had clashed on the track in practice on Friday.
"Obviously he (Montoya) had a problem with his gearbox or engine and was losing oil," said Schumacher. "He was going very slowly in the middle of the straight and I was not sure what he was going to do, whether he was going to move right or left, and I was a little bit concerned.
"Seeing the oil coming out I just signalled him that he should move over or stop because we did not want to have another Monaco with a driver pouring down oil on the circuit as he was just in the middle of the lap.
"I tried to indicate to him and when I saw him later I explained to him what was the meaning of my signs."
Schumacher said Montoya, the 1999 CART champion who is in his first season in F1, had to learn to abide by the rules, although he denied he was trying to victimise someone seen as a potential title threat in future years.
The German criticised Montoya in Austria last month after being forced into the gravel as he attempted an overtaking move.
"We all have to follow rules," added Schumacher. "He has to do this the same way I or the rest of the drivers do. I am certainly not trying to pick on someone as I told you after I saw him in Zeltweg. Initially I did not feel so happy with it but after watching the video I did not have a problem with it.
"I do not have a problem with him as he is allowed to be aggressive, he is allowed to defend his position - that's fine."
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