21/05/2005
NEWS STORY
McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya will start the Monaco Grand Prix from the back of the grid, following this morning's incident, which involved Ralf Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and David Coulthard.
Race stewards, having received "input" from all parties, and technical data, found that Montoya was driving slowly up the hill (Beau Rivage) and indeed braked 180 metres earlier than usual. Furthermore, his speed at the point of the accident was 86.4 kph compared to 278.3 kph on his previous fast lap.
"As his progress was impeded in a minor manner, he braked and took exception to his lap being disturbed and subsequently drove unnecessarily slowly in a very fast part of the track," read a statement from the stewards.
"With the result that Jacques Villeneuve, who was also on a fast lap, was unable to stop and hit the rear of David Coulthard's car which then went into Ralf Schumacher's."
As a result the McLaren driver will forfeit today's time and will start the race from the back of the grid, ironically alongside the driver who he 'brake tested', former teammate Ralf Schumacher.
Twelve months ago, Montoya was involved in a controversial incident involving Michael Schumacher in the tunnel, which eliminated the German from the race.
It remains to be seen how McLaren will react to this latest incident, the Colombian not having the most auspicious of seasons thus far, having missed two races as result of a tennis injury.
In the Bahrain and San Marino Grands Prix he was replaced by Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz, both drivers achieving good results, for far less money.