54 replies to this topic

[Mrv]

Juan Pablo Montoya has accused Michael Schumacher of picking a fight with him as a favour to brother Ralf.

The world champion was critical of Montoya after the Austrian Grand Prix. The pair tangled when Schumacher tried to force his way past the Colombian and he refused to yield.

Montoya reckons that Schumacher is making a big deal out of the incident in a bid to unsettle him and make sure that brother holds sway in the Williams team.

He said: "What he is trying to do is help his brother. At the end of the day he likes to do things to get at me like that, but it doesn't matter.
"I'm not too concerned about if someone likes me or not. If someone doesn't like what you're doing they should come and talk to me, get it all out in one, and shut up."
He added: "You can never become a friend with another driver because at the end of the day you are racing against him."
 

Looks to me that Michael has gotten inside of Montoya's head and has him unsettled. Not very healthy for the Columbian. He has to remain focused and not worry about Michael. His off was due to his worry about Michael passing him and upstaging him they he braked way to late.

[Viss1]

When did JPM say this?

Pretty bold words from someone who nearly caused an accident...

[Mrv]

Today. A friend emailed it to me but I think I saw it also on ITV's website when I was reading the news.

[Jaybee]

I think that I feel sorriest of all for Ralf. Not only is he having to cope with his loyalties to his brother and , of course, his own desire to win but now he has this prickly hedgehog of a Montoya, picking away at him. I just hope that the bros Schumacher can talk this over and put things in perspective.

[Mosquito]

Montoya sounds like the typical school square bully.

[arcwulf7]

It's ON, JPM and MS are already tangling like contenders to the WDC. I wouldn't be taking on MS like if I were 36 pts. behind him and 6 pts. behind your teammate (who happens to be MS's brother)in the standings and with 4 other drivers in between. But no one is ever going to accuse Montoya of political finesse, just a lot of attitude. It'll look ridiculous if he can't back it up with results -- but we might be on the verge of watching Juan Pablo raise his game on a steadily increasing curve -- or we might not. Going to be interesting to watch though.

[Mrv]

Personally Montoya's frequent statements against Michael only show me that he is not as strong as people make him out to be. He shows mental weakness and instability. Once Schumacher gets into you head it has devasting effects. He has done this to alot of drivers and their performances have seemed to drop off a touch. Montoya should worry about racing a forget about Michael. He will not win many battles with him if he continues in this manner.

[MONTOYASPEED]

Originally posted by Mrv

He said: "What he is trying to do is help his brother. At the end of the day he likes to do things to get at me like that, but it doesn't matter.
"I'm not too concerned about if someone likes me or not. If someone doesn't like what you're doing they should come and talk to me, get it all out in one, and shut up."
He added: "You can never become a friend with another driver because at the end of the day you are racing against him."
 

Looks to me that Michael has gotten inside of Montoya's head and has him unsettled. Not very healthy for the Columbian. He has to remain focused and not worry about Michael. His off was due to his worry about Michael passing him and upstaging him they he braked way to late.

I just checked the ITV-F1 site and i saw the Q&A with JPM and it doesn't say "What he is trying to do is help his brother. At the end of the day he likes to do things to get at me like that, but it doesn't matter".

We'll see who's gotten in who's head in a few races when Michael continues this little war.

Montoya should get out of F1 because he will never win a WDC according to Mrv

PS: For the 3456789 time, he is not Columbian, he is
C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A-N.

[Punisher6]

Originally posted by Mrv
Personally Montoya's frequent statements against Michael only show me that he is not as strong as people make him out to be. He shows mental weakness and instability. Once Schumacher gets into you head it has devasting effects. He has done this to alot of drivers and their performances have seemed to drop off a touch. Montoya should worry about racing a forget about Michael. He will not win many battles with him if he continues in this manner.

Yeah, right......
Do you actually believe the stuff you write or is it in some kind of Michael Schumacher Sheep's manual?

[Ursus]

montyspeed

http://www.itv-f1.co...story_5296.php3

[Mrv]

Montoyaspeed: I never said Montoya should get out of F1 . I truly believe he will never be an F1 WDC if he keeps driving like an idiot and making stupid mistakes, and throwing races away. A WDC is not made up of someone leading a race for a few laps, in two races. He has demonstated nothing yet about being a future WDC. He has been thrashed by Ralf in all races except Austria. He should get with the program and quit worrying about the Schumacher's.

Sorry about the Colombian error.

[Alien]

No Mr.V, Shumacher is not getting into his head because on race day Montoya won´t yield, Scgumy will know better next time when he tries to pass Montoya like he tried that day, Montoya will give him a fight. The "I´m schumy, you have to let me by" strategy is not working anymore.

[Mrv]

Alien you are so wrong. He was so paranoid about Michael passing him that Montoya made a desperate attempt at the corner, when he knew he never had a chance to make the turn. Michael has him on edge it is so quite obvious.

[Alien]

I don´t think that Schumacher would have made that turn either..... From Autosport

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz has defended Montoya’s controversial move on Schumacher. While Schumacher says Montoya’s move was "silly", the Colombian put it down as a racing incident. But the former Benetton racer, who was working for ITV television, said: " For Michael to say Montoya would not have made it is a bit strange because he would not have made the corner either."

[5319]

Montoya is a paranoid.If he really said that,then he MUST really have a Schumacher complex.His mouth doesn't close.

He mentioned mind games...well:rolleyes: that is what he is doing now.The guy tries to prove that he is strong mentally.But Sunday's accindent proved another thing.

[Teez]

Originally posted by Alien

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz has defended Montoya’s controversial move on Schumacher. While Schumacher says Montoya’s move was "silly", the Colombian put it down as a racing incident. But the former Benetton racer, who was working for ITV television, said: " For Michael to say Montoya would not have made it is a bit strange because he would not have made the corner either."

No, no, no. Wurz "would not have made the corner".

But really, the only reason this incident is getting all this attention is simply because it was Michael Schumacher. Had Montoya pulled the same pig-headed move on, say, Frentzen we wouldn't be hearing all this jeering and hooting from the virulent anti-Ferrari/MS crowd. I get the distinct impression many -- not all -- aren't nearly so much pro-Montoya as they are anti-Schumacher.

[The_Z_Man]

Originally posted by Teez
But really, the only reason this incident is getting all this attention is simply because it was Michael Schumacher.

Agreed. Then again something tells me that this incident occured because it was Michael Schumacher. I don't think that Montoya would have been that resolute if it was somebody else trying to pass him, but I could of course be wrong.

Had Montoya pulled the same pig-headed move on, say, Frentzen we wouldn't be hearing all this jeering and hooting from the virulent anti-Ferrari/MS crowd.

I saw a quite few posts from some Schumacher's fans which were as virulent, laced with jeering and hooting as the posts you complain about, and they even started a few thread about this.

I get the distinct impression many -- not all -- aren't nearly so much pro-Montoya as they are anti-Schumacher.

The_Z_Man

[JDeRosa]

Originally posted by MONTOYASPEED
I just checked the ITV-F1 site and i saw the Q&A with JPM and it doesn't say "What he is trying to do is help his brother. At the end of the day he likes to do things to get at me like that, but it doesn't matter".

We'll see who's gotten in who's head in a few races when Michael continues this little war.

Montoya should get out of F1 because he will never win a WDC according to Mrv

PS: For the 3456789 time, he is not Columbian, he is
C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A-N.

YOU SOUND AS PARANOID AS MONTOYA HIMSELF!!

[Rudolf]

Originally posted by Jaybee
I think that I feel sorriest of all for Ralf. Not only is he having to cope with his loyalties to his brother and , of course, his own desire to win but now he has this prickly hedgehog of a Montoya, picking away at him. I just hope that the bros Schumacher can talk this over and put things in perspective.

I couldn't agree more with you Jaybee. I think, personally, that the incident was Monty's fault and I'm unhappy with the way he responded afterwards. He really doesn't WANT Schumi to like him, does he?

Wurz drives for McLaren, he's bound to make the comments he did.

[HAVG]

I´ll give some of you one advise: first investigate, then post.

JPM´s comment wasn´t done after Austria, it was made before, and it was an answer to MS´s comment on how RS was the favorite driver of Williams team.

MS made his comment after JPM qualified second on Austria, and JPM´s answer was :
"Is that what he thinks?, from inside of the team it doesn´t seems like that, I think he should take a better look at this" (this is a translation, so not exactly the words he used)

And then :

"What he is trying to do is help his brother. At the end of the day he likes to do things to get at me like that, but it doesn't matter ... "

[Leo#@2]

I think is time to give JPM some credit, you guys have to much respect for MS just like the other drivers. Come on RS and MS started all this before JPM was in F1 by making silly comments now is time to give JPM credit and show respect for the guy:down:

[Smooth]

Originally posted by Teez
But really, the only reason this incident is getting all this attention is simply because it was Michael Schumacher. Had Montoya pulled the same pig-headed move on, say, Frentzen we wouldn't be hearing all this jeering and hooting from the virulent anti-Ferrari/MS crowd. I get the distinct impression many -- not all -- aren't nearly so much pro-Montoya as they are anti-Schumacher.

Actually, Montoya made an even more boneheaded mistake on Eddie Irvine: He ran himself of the track, and came back on without looking, nearly collecting Eddie. Not much uproar then, though..... it was the back of the grid.

[Sulla]

The very fact that MS has to more than acknowledge the presence of this F1 rookie means, to me, that Montoya is getting under his skin. The whole situation should be good for a few laughs as long as no-one gets hurt. Really...I'm laughing already.

[Vagabond]

It looks to me that Montoya got a real obsession about looking tough. Therefore, all his comments about "Europeans being too weak", "get out and shut up", and all other childish remarks. This in fact demonstrates his weakness and some psychological complex rather than self-confidence. He has already earned a dubious title (from JV ) of the most outspoken driver (and rookie ever). If he keeps trying to show and tell how strong he is, he will probably going to end up fighting his mental trobles rather than WDC. That will be the end of the Juan Montoya the driver.

[SLA]

I think it´s great we have finally real hate relationship at the top of F1, I love controversy. Hmm... maybe I should start hating Montoya to get the most out of this.

[CONOSUR]

Originally posted by Alien
I don´t think that Schumacher would have made that turn either..... From Autosport

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz has defended Montoya’s controversial move on Schumacher. While Schumacher says Montoya’s move was "silly", the Colombian put it down as a racing incident. But the former Benetton racer, who was working for ITV television, said: " For Michael to say Montoya would not have made it is a bit strange because he would not have made the corner either."

Of course he would have. The problem is completing an outside pass. It requires the passee to turn all the way in, not go straight off.

Jaun-Problem could not make the corner, because he waited too late to brake just to keep Schumi behind him. MS had a good line and speed for taking the outside of the corner (and actually was up to half-a-length ahead - just on the wrong side) and tried to turn in, but 1-Prob kept going straight. MS had a totally indefensible position. Had 1-P actually turned in, he would have drifted out wide to keep MS behind just as with MS and DC last year in France.

Originally posted by SLA
I think it´s great we have finally real hate relationship at the top of F1, I love controversy. Hmm... maybe I should start hating Montoya to get the most out of this.

The last thing we need is another Schumacher/Hill thing. It costs everyone. If 1-P starts intentionally gunning for Schumi the way Hill did, it'll be a sad day for the sport.

[Mrv]

To the words of Martin Brundle. "That was a silly move by Montoya"

As far as Wurz, sorry I mean Worst is concerned he is a member of Ronnies Brigade what do you expect him to say about Schumacher. Nice to see that he has fit really well with that team.

[Chris G.]

Originally posted by SLA
I think it´s great we have finally real hate relationship at the top of F1, I love controversy. Hmm... maybe I should start hating Montoya to get the most out of this.

Mark my words, a lot of people (MS and Mclaren fans alike) will start to hate Montoya as the years progress. He's got that sullen attitude towards his competition (reminds me a bit of Senna) and, possibly, the ability to back it up on the track.

In fact, I bet half these Anti-MS people who are cheering JPM today, will hate him within the next 18 months. Then again, those are the people who love to hate, so it's fitting.

[Teez]

Originally posted by The_Z_Man
Agreed. Then again something tells me that this incident occured because it was Michael Schumacher. I don't think that Montoya would have been that resolute if it was somebody else trying to pass him, but I could of course be wrong.

No, I think it's exactly that too. Montoya was trying to 'prove' himself IMO and what better way than to go up against the top dog? I believe he's trying to make a reputation for himself, or justify his existing one (for those who see it that way).

I saw a quite few posts from some Schumacher's fans which were as virulent, laced with jeering and hooting as the posts you complain about, and they even started a few thread about this.

Yup. Absolutely. But these are in the minority and, I think, for the most part defensive gestures.

[Teez]

Originally posted by Leo#@2

I think is time to give JPM some credit, you guys have to much respect for MS just like the other drivers.

Sorry, but Schumacher has earned respect by virtue of his performances and accomplishments. Even his harshest critics -- and I don't mean the forthing-at-the-mouth Schumi-haters -- grudgingly accord him respect for his on-track skills. Montoya has yet to prove anything (in F1). If he does he will have my respect. Until then he remains a nobody in my books. A loud-mouthed nobody that makes Schumacher look like the very angel of modesty and humility.

[Teez]

Originally posted by Smooth

Actually, Montoya made an even more boneheaded mistake on Eddie Irvine: He ran himself of the track, and came back on without looking, nearly collecting Eddie. Not much uproar then, though..... it was the back of the grid.

Yup. I had forgotten about that. This just goes to prove that that all this brouhaha is due to the fact Schumacher was involved.

Thanks for pointing that out, Smooth.

[JPMCrew]

The fact that so many Schumacher fans have nothing but hate for Montoya now means that they have something to fear; even if they don't want to acknowledge it. If Montoya was just "another" rookie with a big mouth, I don't think so many feathers would be rattled by now.

And I just love posters like Mrv who have done nothing but trash Montoya since before the season started and are now trying to take advantage of the opportunity at hand to convince everyone else that they were right after all.

Get use to it, if you are upset now, just wait until he starts performing more consistently. You'll probably want to commit suicide then.



editted for spelling

[selena]

Let us be more objective over this whole situation. Clearly JPM is a very good and talented driver. But he was too stubborn in Austria, too stubborn in wanting to show everyone that he can beat MS and is not afraid of MS. Fine. No one needs to fear MS. But then he himself went into the gravel. Is that wise? In my opinion, he is too hot-headed. That is not the way to be a good F1 driver. To be successful in being an F1 driver, one has to be like Alain Prost, cool, calm and calculating.

[carlos.maza]

Friends,
I think we have had enough of this theme.
We need to leave emotions apart to analyze a situation.

I would like to tell you all that we cannot loose objectivity. We must be able to analyze the situation forgetting we are Schumacher or Ferrari or Montoya fans.

I am NOT a Schumacher nor Ferrari nor Montoya fan

My opinion:
1) Montoya made a mistake, he braked too late and tried to defend his position when it was obvious the Ferrari was faster. I would have been wiser to let him pass and make a tactical race from behind.
2) Maybe it would have been wiser for Schumacher to wait for another lap. Montoya could have gone out off the track alone. He was loosing ground and had tyre problems.
3) Itv-f1 says "Juan Pablo Montoya has accused Michael Schumacher of picking a fight with him as a favour to brother Ralf". If he really said this, it sounds paranoid to me. How can you affirm that?
4) If everything was the same, except that Montoya were driving a Ferrari and Schumacher a Williams, I´m afraid a great number of the Ferrari fans (at least all I know) would be supporting him for being brave, for defending his position with "nails and teeth", or whatever.
5) Schumacher has used the same tactics in the past (agressive driving, phycollogical games, etc.), but they don´t become acceptable, just because another guy applies them to him. They are not acceptable, no matter who does it, no matter who the "victim" is.
6) Montoya has yet to prove a lot in F1. I think he is fast and has a bright future, but he has to calm down.

Boys, let´s make this a constructive discussion and don´t get blinded by emotions.

Sorry if It sounds like I am trying to end this discussion. No.
I am just trying to continue it on a more objective basis.

[Teez]

Originally posted by JPMCrew

The fact that so many Schumacher fans have nothing but hate for Montoya now means that they have something to fear; even if they don't want to acknowledge it.

Fear and hate are two powerful words. I think you use them here unduly. Myself I have neither of these two feelings towards him (yet ;)).

If Montoya was just "another" rookie with a big mouth, I don't think so many cages would be rattled by now.

I respectfully disagree. The race was only two days ago. Tempers are still running high.

Get use to it, if you are upset now, just wait until he starts performing more consistently.

I think it's the Montoya fans who are waiting for that!

[obi-one]

Originally posted by selena
....
But then he himself went into the gravel. Is that wise? In my opinion, he is too hot-headed. That is not the way to be a good F1 driver....

These over reactions are just ridiculous. So he made a mistake, far less of a one than MS, Jos, Rubens, and JVi, have made. What should a personality test be required to get a Super license? Lighten up, one small mistake is not going to end a F1 career.

[cupra]

returning to the original topic, I really don't think Juan Pablo is going around talking about MS. The problem is that the press now have a great selling story so they keep asking him stuff about MS "what do you think of MS...", "will you let MS by...", etc, etc

Maybe it would be better if we could also know what the reporter asked! then we might have a better idea of what he means. And I think this is not only in Juan Pablo's case, every time any driver says something the reporters just let loose their imagination and write the best selling story they can.

Anyway, I think we should bury this whole thing and start talking about Monaco

cheers:cool:

[POP2]

I remember when MS was a rookie he crashed at Senna on the start of the French GP in 1992 or 1993 and took him out of the race in a very stupid manner and during the 1992 Monaco GP he crashed into the Ferrari of Jean Alesi (the Loews curve) trying to pass him in a very very stupid manner. And now everybody is saying that Juan Montoya is not a good driver simply because he defended his position to death while he was leading...
I don´t remember Ayrton Senna not fighting for position...
The main issue here is that you the Europeans don´t like us the Latinamericans and you have to undestand that Juan Montoya is the next big thing, he lead a race before his teammate, wich has been with the team for two years, and he could have won it. So stop the nonsense...

[Duck]

"Montoya Rattled by Schumacher"....... yeah, right !

[HP]

Originally posted by POP2

The main issue here is that you the Europeans don´t like us the Latinamericans :

How do you get to that conclusion? Do you know how many European Senna fans are out there, and how many European totally cheer for the Brazilian soccer team for a starter? How many are still in awe of Fangio? And even how many Europeans are already fan of JPM?

I've heard this idea about European hating Latin Americans now several times (including JPM comments indicate that), but I'd really suggest you trash this myth. It's a generalization which hurts you guys more than us Europeans.

[Punisher6]

Originally posted by POP2
I remember when MS was a rookie he crashed at Senna on the start of the French GP in 1992 or 1993 and took him out of the race in a very stupid manner and during the 1992 Monaco GP he crashed into the Ferrari of Jean Alesi (the Loews curve) trying to pass him in a very very stupid manner. And now everybody is saying that Juan Montoya is not a good driver simply because he defended his position to death while he was leading...
I don´t remember Ayrton Senna not fighting for position...
The main issue here is that you the Europeans don´t like us the Latinamericans and you have to undestand that Juan Montoya is the next big thing, he lead a race before his teammate, wich has been with the team for two years, and he could have won it. So stop the nonsense...

Seems like a lot of Europeans don't like anyone not from Europe, see too much American bashing on this board lately. I've even at times thought about not coming back here, but then I relax and chose to ignore it. Can't let a few bad apples spoil my F1 fun.;)

[magic]

like senna focussed on beating the best, prost, ms focussed on senna we now have jpm focussed on beating ms.

very healthy and a fast way to get your priorities right.

btw

the problem for ms is he has a lot more to loose than jpm.

jpm is allowed to make mistakes, he is enthousiast rookie.
ms can only lose, can only loose valuable wdcpoints and face.

ms is hunted from now on, and dc is closing all of the time.

pressure.

[schumigal]

Whether Montoya is rattled by Schumacher or not is really irrelevant. Whatever he says, well if his results can back it up, then good for him!. If his results can;t back the pace of his mouth at the end of his f1 career, he can only blame himself for big ego talk. But seriously for those that watch carts, does he talk like that in carts too? Or is it only in f1 that all drivers feel the need to boost themselves by upping themselves?

Indeed MS has a lot more to lose than Montoya in terms of collision, but i doubt that Frank will be happy if that continues constantly for it ruins Montoya's race as well while it does hype his reputation as the bravest driver (poor JV) currently. Frank would be more interested in getting points than great drive without points! MS, therefore must continue to qualify well and hope that Montoya is at least a row behind him, that will keep him at the back for a while. What are the odds of that happening? Probably pretty slim considering BMW's engine. SO best thing for MS, take more care when overtaking a hot headed fellow. Soon enough, Montoya will cool down and race smart.

[carlos.maza]

I've heard this idea about European hating Latin Americans now several times (including JPM comments indicate that), but I'd really suggest you trash this myth. It's a generalization which hurts you guys more than us Europeans.

HP:

I am latin american and I think you are right.
A person´s worth comes from his values, ideas, talents, etc., not from where you come from. I have had the opportunity to meet very interesting people from Europe as well as other places.

By making this myth grow we are just shouting aloud: "WE ARE THE THIRD WORLD !!!!!"

[JPMCrew]

Originally posted by schumigal
But seriously for those that watch carts, does he talk like that in carts too? Or is it only in f1 that all drivers feel the need to boost themselves by upping themselves?

I think one would have to be very naive to believe JPM is going around bad mouthing Schumacher every single day. The problem is that much of the press that covers F1 is unethical and misleading, very much in line with the English tabloid journalism mentality.

Take for example http://www.itv-f1.com. Today they have a "new" article on JPM talking about Schumacher. Of course, all the quotes in it are actually from Sunday and have been used in previous articles as well. By the way they report it, it's clear they wouldn't mind you believing that this is actually a new story.

[Bob Nomates]

What has Montoya got to be rattled about exactly?
Some people don't half talk rubbish.

Montoya has nothing at all to lose by losing or winning against Schumacher, I think it is very comendable that he is even trying at all some drivers might shy away from doing this particularly in their first season.

[Dan_G]

Originally posted by schumigal
But seriously for those that watch carts, does he talk like that in carts too? Or is it only in f1 that all drivers feel the need to boost themselves by upping themselves?

CART is nowhere near as political as F1. The American public doesnt request this sort of melodrama, but then CART isnt a "mainstream sport" in the US as much as F1 is in Europe, so the press doesnt perpetuate the politics of CART the way the Euro press perpetuates the politics of F1.

As far as this whole "Juan is rattled..." crap goes, I dont buy it for an instant. Juan was never ever rattled in CART, and I dont think he is rattled in F1. If America learned anything from watching Juan in CART, it is that Juan is absolutely fearless, and is more confident in his own abilities than even the great Senna himself (not egotistical at all, just confident that he is that good). I think Micheal has just gotten used to drivers not putting up the kind of fight that Montoya is putting up. He may have been used to it with Senna, but since then no other driver has fought with Micheal on track the way Montoya has so far this season. I think that unsettles Micheal more than Juan is unsettled by Micheal. Before I get flamed by the MS fans, it is not MS's fault nessecarily. Im not balming MS, I just think it is something he hasnt faced in years, and he isnt used to being fought with this much verve. Yes, he has battled Mika for the past few years, but it was just him and Mika, and because no one else was even close, they engaged in what was generally a "gentlemans fight". Now Montoya shows up, the field is tighter than it has been since the early 90's and Schumacher is facing challenges that he hasnt faced in years, an actual on track battle in which he can not rely on the superiority of his car or the "gentleman's nature" of Hakkinen (Mika since his accident in '95 has never been a driver to battle for position as fervently as Montoya is now). Schumacher wont make the same mistake twice in underestimating Montoya's determination (which is exactly what Monoya wants).

Let's not forget that 10 years ago we were all saying the EXACT same things about Micheal, and look at us now. Then it was Senna who was the almighty, and Schumacher was the inexperienced young gun with talent to spare who refused to be intimidated by the old master. Schumacher made rookie mistakes battling Senna (France 92 comes to mind), and Senna berated him for it, and Schumacher eventually grew as a driver with experience and learned from those mistakes, and put those lessons to good use. Now Schumacher is the master, and Juan is the inexperienced young gun with talent to spare who refuses to be intimidated by Schumacher.

Montoya will learn, just the same way Schumacher learned from Senna. Schumacher will learn about Montoya's determination, just the same way Senna learned about Schumacher's.

Dont mistake being rattled or egotism for supreme confidence in your own abilities.... that's what Montoya taught CART.

Let us hope that Schumacher doesnt decide that Montoya is the "guy who beats me in speed on the track" and decides to retire, thereby depriving the fans of some classic battles ( a la Arnoux/Villeneuve) the way that Senna's death deprived us of some classic Senna/Schumacher battles.

I want to watch them fight it out on the track in some hard fought battles, not in the press room with some hard typed words.

[rw shepherd]

I think everyone is being a little too hard on Montoya. I legitimately believe that Montoya simply applied his brakes too late in Austria rather than that he was trying to do what he actually did to block Schumacher. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't a stupid thing to do. I don't think anyone has a problem with one making one's car as wide as possible but the key thing to me was that the front wheels of Schumacher's car were 3 or 4 feet beyond those of Montoya and hence he should have yielded. In this sense, Montoya was simply showing inexperience rather than maliciousness. I have watched enough of CART to know that bullying one's way past is the norm there no matter how much contact is created. This sort of vulgar passing is less prevalent in F1 and with time Montoya will learn this and clean up his act.

[CSK]

JPMCrew,

Your point is well made. The media are constantly looking for some angle to cause controversy. At the end of the day I think MS knew it was a racing accident and nothing more. Anything MS said to the contrary is just a bit of a mind game. JPM is still learning and made a mistake, thats all. MS makes the odd mistake as well as we have seen in the past.

[CSK]

Dan_G,

Your post about no one else fighting MS on track is somewhat confusing. I remember Damon Hill, JV, and Mika Hakkinen all giving MS a good battle on the track. As for having more confidence in his own abilities than Senna you may be right but how do you measure such an intangible? Once all this confidence translates into victories than comparisons to Senna may be valid but not yet. JPM has not had the stunning start to this season that some of you would like us to believe.