Montoya rebuffs Schu criticism

Juan Pablo Montoya has rounded on Michael Schumacher after the seven-times Formula One world champion criticised NASCAR.

Montoya was effectively axed by McLaren midway through last season after surprisingly announcing he would be returning to the United States to drive in the series. Speaking in the New York Times at the weekend, Schumacher derided NASCAR and Montoya's decision.

"Personally, I wouldn't do it," commented the 38-year-old former Ferrari star who quit Formula One at the end of last season. "What do you do in NASCAR? What is exciting there? I can't see that, running around on ovals."

Pulling no punches with his reply, Montoya said: "Schumacher in America is nobody."

The 31-year-old added: "People don't understand what a big challenge this style of racing is.

"Michael Schumacher, just take him to Homestead (an oval track in Florida) and tell him to stay half a second off the pace. He would have a heart attack."

Montoya, preparing for the Daytona 500, entered Formula One after winning the CART series and the Indianapolis 500.

He managed just seven wins in five and a half years driving for Williams and then McLaren, and believes Schumacher would find it equally as difficult if he opted to race in NASCAR.

"It would be a hard transition for sure," remarked Montoya on sportsillustrated.cnn.com.

"I had the advantage that I raced two years of ovals and did a little bit of stock cars with little ones when I started my career. All that really helps."