Montoya says Schumacher is missing link at Ferrari

Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2006

The missing link at Ferrari is Michael Schumacher claims Juan Pablo Montoya, a rival of the great seven time world champion who currently lies seriously injured in a French hospital after a skiing fall.
Schumacher and Colombian Montoya, who raced in NASCAR after leaving Formula 1 and who is now returning to the Indycar series, were often fierce competitors.
“We spoke once in the six years that we raced against each other,” Montoya, 38, is quoted by the German news agency DPA.

“He was a competitor, not a friend. Formula 1 is very closed – as a McLaren driver I couldn’t just go and sit in the Ferrari motor home.”
However, he obviously rated the German very highly, claiming that “The only time Ferrari did well was when Michael was there”.
Similarly, he said that if Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 with Mercedes was not successful, it was the fault of the Brackley based team.
“He didn’t just forget how to drive. It’s how it has always been in Formula 1,” Montoya insisted.

Beyond that, he said it is difficult to comment on the current state of the sport, as “For seven years I have not watched Formula 1″.
“Maybe one or two races a year.”