By Phil Huff (28/09/2003)
September 29 2003

Jacques Villeneuve has warned championship hopefuls Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen to be on guard and prepared for the use of dirty tactics by Michael Schumacher. Villeneuve won the 1997 World Championship title in a notorious race at Jerez in which the Canadian and his German rival, going for his third title, clashed. Although Schumacher was leading, Villeneuve was steadily reeling him in, when the Canadian finally made his move the German appeared to turn into him in one of the most controversial moments in the sport's history.

Schumacher was eliminated on the spot, and though Villeneuve failed to win the race - he handed Mika Hakkinen a maiden victory - he did take the championship.

Villeneuve has never forgiven Schumacher for the incident and has warned Montoya and Raikkonen that it could happen all over again.

"Michael has always had the fighting instinct and he has not changed," the BAR driver told reporters at Indianapolis. "He may have achieved a lot since 1997 but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have another coming together in the heat of the moment.

"He may have evolved as he has gained experience," added the Canadian, "but a leopard never changes its spots."

This article was written by pitpass.com and is used with permission.