Stewart Critical of Schumacher

Schumacher has remained defiant in his belief that events at Indianapolis this year were nothing to do with safety but were technical issues - and that is why he has refused to support efforts by drivers worried about the implications of what happened.

But Stewart, who was a leading campaigner for driver safety during his time in F1, believes that Schumacher's position as a driver of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association should now be put into question by his stance.

"He is one of the leaders of the drivers. To suggest it is anything to do with technical issues is wrong," said Stewart in an interview with The Mirror.

"If Michael is not prepared to stand up and be counted, I am sure there are those who will excuse him from his duties on the GPDA. If he has got a good reason and good logic, which the drivers accept, then he stays. If he hasn't, then he doesn't stay - that's called democracy.

"Michael has influence and therefore power. His stand is a big mistake - all the other drivers can't be wrong. These guys are not doing it to cause interference. They are doing it for the good of the sport. Their lives are on the line."

F1 drivers are due to meet with FIA president Max Mosley at Cannes on the Monday after the Hungarian Grand Prix to discuss safety. This comes amid concerns about the Indianapolis fiasco and worries about safety at tests.