Schu stunned by Montoya defection

Michael Schumacher claims he has no idea what attracted old adversary Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR.

Montoya was dumped by McLaren this week after announcing he would move to NASCAR racing in 2007.

But Schumacher cannot see the attraction in the stock car championship, which races on banked ovals in front of crowds of up to 400,000.

He said: “Personally I wouldn’t do it. What do you do in NASCAR? What is exciting? I can’t see it running around on ovals.

“They are heavy, low-developed cars compared to a Formula One car. There is no challenge for me.”

Montoya’s departure will hardly be mourned by Schumacher, who had more than his fair share of run-ins with the controversial Colombian.

When asked whether he would miss Montoya’s presence in Formula One, Schumacher replied with a curt “next question” before eventually being persuaded to comment further.

He said: “You don’t need to be friends with everybody. I can’t really say I was friends with him, I didn’t really know him.”

One man who does count Montoya as a friend is world champion – and fellow Spanish speaker – Fernando Alonso.

The Renault driver admitted he was stunned by news of Montoya’s defection but claimed a fresh challenge is just what the 30-year-old needs to revive his career.

“The first time I read the news I was surprised,” he said. “If it is the best for everybody, I am happy for them. I am a good friend of Juan Pablo, he deserves to be happy. Maybe he lost a bit of motivation. Probably the best thing is to find a new challenge. He will do a great job and enjoy it.

“I like NASCAR a lot. It is a great championship, has a lot of people supporting the series and very popular. It is a good championship to go to.”

Jenson Button disagrees, claiming the move is a retrograde step for Montoya, who was hailed a world champion of the future when he made his Formula One debut in 2001.

The Honda driver said: “It is a real surprise, when I initially saw it I thought ‘wow that’s a strange step’ – backwards, in my eyes.

“Then again I don’t suppose he wants (McLaren boss) Ron Dennis in control of his fate. If Ron didn’t want him for next year where is he going to go? It’s probably the best option for him.

“I think it’s a pity he is not around, he is one of the top drivers in Formula One.”