ATLAS F1, The Daily Grapevine: News from the Paddock

More Than Words
According to the best eye-witnesses at the Drivers Briefing on Friday in Montreal, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya virtually came to blows in a scrap following their on-track row in the practice session earlier in the day.

One driver, Jos Verstappen of Arrows Asiatech, said the two warring pilots were at each others throats and fighting after their disagreement turned violent. Villeneuve accused Colombian Formula One newcomer Montoya of being on a mission to obstruct following the opening practice for the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday.

But Montoya hit back, claiming that the Canadian had 'brake tested' him after the BAR overtook the Williams. Villeneuve was unable to take part in the second practice session as mechanics had to rebuild his car following a crash shortly after the pair had had a coming together.

"Juan Pablo ran into the back of me a couple of laps before the crash," said Villeneuve, who when asked if he thought the clash with Montoya had had an effect on his accident, replied "who knows? I really don't understand what game he (Montoya) is trying to play," said Villeneuve. "He's on a mission for something and I'll have to have a word with him.

"It seems like Juan Pablo, every time he sees someone in the mirror he slows down and stays on the line purposely. So I really don't understand what game he's trying to play."

Montoya's view of the incident was different, as he directed the blame at Villeneuve. "I looked in the mirror and he was there, I moved off line. Then I got to the next chicane, I was behind him and in the exit to the chicane he stamped on the brakes," he said.

Too Many Secrets
Fans hoping to see the Formula One cars in Montreal in advance of this weekend's race were disappointed when a semi-official open day on Wednesday was cancelled because of the teams' habit of covering up their cars to prevent prying photographers taking pictures. The decision caused uproar among local enthusiasts who had travelled to the circuit and found their bid to see their favourite cars in the flesh were thwarted.

The Cost of Horse Power
Several members of the BMW Williams team's marketing department were enjoying a special night out at a well-known Montreal restaurant on Thursday. At the end of their meal, they decided to make the most of a passing opportunity and ride back to their hotels by horse and cart. What they did not bargain for was the long distance or the bill. The journey, allegedly, took nearly an hour and when they got in they found it had cost them more than the meal.

Alesi to Williams? Berger Thinks Not
Seen in deep and laughing conversation on Friday evening were former Ferrari and Benetton teammates Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi. The pair were sitting outside close to the Williams hospitality area. With the pair in close conversation rumours started to circulate that they could be thrashing out a possible deal for Alesi to end his career on a high at Williams.

But Berger denied all likely rumours when he said there was more chance of him making a comeback than Jean driving for him and taking his orders!

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