Villeneuve resigns from the GPDA

The BMW-Sauber driver was openly critical of his German rival after what happened in qualifying in Monte Carlo and had hoped that Friday's meeting of the GPDA would result in some decisive action - either from Schumacher himself in apologizing or in fellow drivers standing up to the seven-time champion.

However, after the meeting resulted in no action being taken against Schumacher as the drivers agreed to keep him as the GPDA's president and put the matter behind them, Villeneuve was understood to have been left disappointed.

After weighing up what had happened privately afterwards, Villeneuve decided on Friday night that he could no longer continue in the GPDA.

A source close to him said: "He was not happy with the meeting. He could not see the benefit of continuing to remain in the GPDA."

Villeneuve has declined to comment at all about the meeting, but said earlier in the weekend that he was not happy for Schumacher to remain president of the GPDA after being judged to have deliberately stopped on track in Monaco.

"I can only give a personal opinion," he said on Thursday. "Personally I am not happy that someone can run the GPDA and act like that, that is just my personal opinion and I haven't discussed that with any other driver. Any discussion that will take place will be kept behind closed doors."

GPDA director Jarno Trulli said that he could not criticise Villeneuve for his decision - even though the Canadian only rejoined the organisation last year on his return to F1.

"He doesn't want to be in the GPDA any more," said the Toyota driver. "Fair enough. I am not saying he is right or wrong but that is the way he feels.

"I am not judging him. It is his decision. I am not saying it is right or wrong, he just thought for whatever reason not to be a part of the GPDA."