Sunday March 17th, 2002

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya accused race officials of being "unfair" in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix after he was penalised for a first corner collision with World Champion Michael Schumacher.

He was backed up by both Schumachers - Ferrari's Michael, who cut sharply across Montoya from pole position approaching the corner, and his Williams teammate and race winner Ralf. The race director imposed a time penalty, making Montoya drive through the pits, "for causing an avoidable collision".

"I think it was very unfair, I gave him room," said Montoya, who eventually finished second ahead of Michael. "I think after what happened in the first race they went a bit extreme and I had to pay for it. The stewards didn't want everybody saying they should have done something and they didn't."

Ralf and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, Michael's team mate, were involved in a spectacular collision in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago that took out almost half the field at the first corner.

"For me it was a race incident, I think for him (Schumacher) it was the same," said Montoya of Sunday's collision.

Michael, four times World Champion, agreed.

"We touched. I didn't see a drama in that. It was a shame that I lost my front wing and had to come in for a pitstop. But anyway it was an exciting race.

"To be honest, yes," he said when asked if the sanction imposed had been unfair. "I would think we have seen far more extreme situations where nothing has happened and today for a little touch something was done. We don't seem to have a very consistent situation."

Ralf also spoke out for his teammate.

"I think that it was a normal race incident and it was not fair to give him a penalty," the German said after celebrating his fourth career win.

Published at 09:46:14 GMT