Sunday March 31st, 2002

By Alan Baldwin

Juan Pablo Montoya slammed Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher as an unfair racer on Sunday after the two clashed at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"I thought he was a fair guy to race with but he's definitely not," the Colombian Williams driver told reporters after he hit the back of Schumacher's Ferrari on the opening lap.

Schumacher went on to win the race ahead of his brother Ralf, while Montoya clocked the fastest lap as he clawed his way back from the rear of the field to finish fifth following a pit stop to replace his shattered front wing.

"I gave him room in the first two corners, it's a bit disappointing," said Montoya, who had started on pole alongside the German.

"I went to the inside, I made my move before him and I was behind him and after I had made my move he shut the door...I had enough speed to pass him there. He reacted later than me and I am very disappointed."

Shut Door

The two drivers started the last Malaysian Grand Prix on the front row as well and collided lightly there at the first corner. In that race, it was Schumacher who lost his front wing but Montoya was punished with a drive-through penalty after stewards blamed him for the incident.

He finished that race second, behind team mate and Michael's younger brother Ralf Schumacher.

"Last week I took his front wing, even though I gave him room, and I got penalised," complained Montoya. "This week he shuts the door in front of me in the same way maybe as Rubens' move on Ralf in the race before.

"I was even closer and here we go. Who pays? I pay again and it just keeps going. We now know what the rules are. I gave him room at the first two corners then he cuts across me. Next time I will just do the same as him."

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was shunted in the rear by Ralf's Williams at the season opening Australian Grand Prix after he braked into the first corner from pole position.

"The car was working really well, it has been quick all weekend," added Montoya, who led in Brazil last year before he was hit in the rear by the Arrows of Dutch driver Jos Verstappen. "I had enough speed to win the race."

Published at 20:34:46 GMT