12/06/2006
NEWS STORY
Jarno Trulli, on of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) has revealed that Jacques Villeneuve has quit the body following its failure to sack Michael Schumacher as President.
Following the incident in the final moment of qualifying at Monaco, when the German was (eventually) adjudged to have deliberately stopped on track, thereby preventing rivals from improving their times, Villeneuve was one of the most outspoken critics of the Ferrari driver's actions.
Almost two weeks later he was stll virtually apoplectic, describing Schumacher as a "prat".
At a meeting of the GPDA on Friday - which several high profile GPDA members did not attend - it was decided, after listening to the German, not to take any further action, though David Coulthard had already said that it was not within the body's remit to sack the Ferrari star.
Subsequently, Villeneuve quit the GPDA in disgust.
"He left because he has a point of view and is free to do whatever he wants," said Trulli, according to Reuters. "The GPDA is not there to judge a driver, it is there to assure that all drivers and teams and circuits have got enough safety."