Montoya bid needs to stay on track

As Formula One embarks on its first European race of 2002, Juan Pablo Montoya has not quite gone from hero to zero. But after events in Brazil 11 days ago, it is up to the Colombian to show in San Marino that he can perform excitingly without crashing in the process.

It has become increasingly clear that Montoya is not exactly a percentage driver. He seems more interested in executing spectacular overtaking manoeuvres on Michael Schumacher than amassing points. Twice in three races this season the German has come out better in their wheel-to-wheel clashes.

When Montoya, on pole position in Brazil, collided with the rear of Schumacher's Ferrari and lost his front wing on lap one, he had only himself to blame. No one agrees with Montoya's complaint that Schumacher was "not a fair driver" and cut him up.

"If you're going to win a championship then you don't bump into other cars," said Williams' technical director Patrick Head, icily.

Montoya's team-mate Ralf Schumacher, with whom he famously does not get along, called the move "brainless".

Ex-driver Gerhard Berger, now motorsport director with Williams' engine partners BMW, ignored the fact Montoya has been racing for years and put the incident down to "inexperience". Jaguar boss Niki Lauda dismissed that as "bullshit''.