Montoya storms out of press conference.

by Andy Stobart

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya didn't see the funny side of a prank by Australian comics David Lutteral and Ashley Bradnam yesterday in Melbourne, storming out of his press conference after repeated bating by the duo.

It was a case of comedians picking the right Juan to wind up - if they were hoping for a reaction from one of the drivers in the pitlane the increasingly volatile Juan Pablo Montoya proved the two Aussie comics right.

At the press conference at the Sandown racetrack, Juan Pablo was asked " I have one question for Juan. Just a hypothetical one, Juan. As the wonder kid, the rising No.1, Juan, one wonders should Juan only win one in one year, would Juan want to have won that one in round one, Juan?" reports Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper.

Montoya took this well enough and quipped back, "One of them would have been in round one," but the next question, which was deliberately nonsensical as is the comics' style, was the one to start to tip Montoya over the edge.

"No comment. Next." Was all Montoya could manage when asked "We wish you best, if we could all stay calm. Juan, on your car, we wouldn't wish any harm on you or your car, but is that how you approach Formula One racing."

Normal questioning resumed for a time then the comics used the highly original comic device of loudly answering a mobile phone and having a conversation for all to hear. (Trigger Happy TV's Dom Jolley was no doubt turning alongside his comedy jumbo-sized mobile phone as this happened.)

Montoya's reaction was to ask "can't you do me a favour?" he then mused "My God Jesus Christ... where were we?"

Normal questioning resumed until the phone rang again and another conversation ensued. Montoya clearly stated, "Right, either this stops or I walk off." It didn't, so Juan Pablo made good on his word with a "Thank you very much," and left the building.

What happened next gets worse with the Herald Sun reporting eyewitnesses as saying that there was a scuffle and one of Montoya's aides was thrown against a glass door before Juan Pablo left the scene in a BMW X5.

If this is how the Colombian is reacting to a prank before the start of season after being rested during the off-season, one hates to think what he could be like further through the year as the pressure builds with a potential title in the offing.

What do you think? Is Montoya on the edge - it's not the first time he's lost his temper, after all. Should F1 drivers as top level sports professionals put up with the activities of comics like this or was he right to walk off?

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