4. Juan Pablo Montoya vs. Ralf Schumacher – Nurburgring 2004
Wrong. Of course he is here again, and with Juan Pablo Montoya to boot. These two drivers knew how to entertain the people, and they managed to one-up themselves with a lap one, turn one incident — the dream scenario for the fans.
In what was called the 2004 European Grand Prix, Montoya found himself in around seventh place racing into turn one in his ugly Williams FW26. Thinking he had a good run, he committed to the inside line, but he didn’t commit initially on the brakes.
To avoid smacking into the back of the Ferrari in front of him, which would have caused all sorts of trouble both on and off track, he slammed on the brakes while steering to the right. This caused him to lock up in a big way as his car continued to head straight.
And I’ll ask again: whose car is the first car to meet his? The car of his teammate, Ralf Schumacher.
So actually this one isn’t Schumacher’s fault. *Gasps*
The contact sent Schumacher sideways, which could have been worse, but then they collided for a second time as the humongous and ugly walrus noses of the cars came together, causing damage to both. Montoya went on to score one point with an eighth place finish but Schumacher’s race was done. It is fair to say that these two drivers were not the best of friends.
What gets me is the little hand gesture Montoya did after the clash. Surely he is not blaming others for that incident?