Villeneuve Plays Down Sauber Meeting

The 1997 World Champion tried to pass teammate Felipe Massa at the Ste Devote corner 15 laps from the finish but instead forced the Brazilian down the escape road as he hit the tyre barrier.

Massa, who had been in sixth place and heading for three points, ended up ninth while Villeneuve lost seventh place and finished 11th.

Villeneuve has admitted his move was over-optimistic, but played down the fact that both him and Massa were summoned to the team's Hinwil factory to discuss what had happened.

"It was an exciting move but it wasn't a good move because it didn't work," admitted Villeneuve ahead of this weekend's European Grand Prix. "It was over-optimistic but everybody complains when you have a boring race and then everyone complains when there is bad news. We are racing.

"There was a chance there, I took it and it didn't work out. I still had good tyres and I wanted to fight with those in front. I went over the kerbs to make sure I didn't hit him but then I got stuck in the tyres.

"People only look at that, it's a bit annoying. I was ninth anyway, it wasn't a big deal - we were in with a chance of going further up so you have to take it. That was Monaco and now it's the next race.

"There was a meeting because we didn't talk at Monaco. Nothing happened."

The Canadian also claimed he was unfazed by the reaction after the incident.

"It's negative one race and then positive the next. I don't care," he added.