Montoya punished for practice shunt 21 May 2005
Juan Pablo Montoya's qualifying time has been deleted after stewards decided he triggered a three-car accident in the morning’s final practice session which saw Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve all collide behind the Colombian.
After speaking to all the drivers concerned and reviewing video evidence, the Monaco officials were of the view that Montoya had driven unnecessarily slowly on a fast part of the circuit as he headed up the hill towards Massenet, shortly after he had passed Schumacher who was exiting the pits.
The result was that as Schumacher slowed behind the McLaren, Coulthard was obliged to pull out to pass, just as Villeneuve was coming up behind him. The Sauber tagged the Red Bull, spinning it into the Toyota and the track was almost blocked, bringing out the red flags. None of the drivers were hurt.
The penalty means Montoya, who went on to set the fifth-fastest time in first qualifying, will start Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix from the rear of the grid.
