Schumacher warns teammate Montoya

Ralf Schumacher today threatened to run Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya off the track if he attempts another overtaking…

Ralf Schumacher today threatened to run Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya off the track if he attempts another overtaking move like the one he pulled early in the Australian Grand Prix.

Montoya's move came on lap two as he desperately sought a way back up the field after he had been relegated from third to seventh by a slow start, caused by a clutch problem on the grid.

Having already thrown himself down the inside at the first corner, outbraking himself and hitting the grass, Montoya launched his bid for sixth by charging inside Schumacher at the start of lap two.

The German said he was forced to concede room to ensure both cars remained in the race and today had stern words for Montoya, accusing him of undermining Williams' chances of success in Melbourne.

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And Schumacher warned the exuberant Colombian he would not be so accommodating next time. "The only thing I have to say is that it was a pretty strong move and next time I will have him off the track," said Schumacher.

"It was a move based on me making space for him, which I did not want that early in the race on the basis of scoring as much as possible and getting the best out of the weekend.

"Someone brakes into a corner with the intention of either crashing into somebody or assuming he gives space, then that is the wrong move. Let's put it that way. I did not want to put our positions into danger."

While there is clearly no love lost between the pair, Schumacher stressed they continue to have a positive working relationship, although he admitted he had not spoken to Montoya about the incident.

"I just think that that move was not the right thing to do at the time. I don't need to say anything to him about it, only what I said before," he said.