Dennis blames Villeneuve

McLaren boss Ron Dennis is blaming Jacques Villeneuve for scuppering Kimi Raikkonen's chance of victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Raikkonen was running second behind Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya for most of the race and was trying to pick up some ...

McLaren boss Ron Dennis is blaming Jacques Villeneuve for scuppering Kimi Raikkonen's chance of victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Raikkonen was running second behind Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya for most of the race and was trying to pick up some time on his laps prior to his second pit stop. He came up behind the BAR, which slowed him somewhat.

Kimi Raikkonen.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"He (Villeneuve) cost Kimi any chance of winning the race," said Dennis. "He blocked him for over a lap and then didn't really follow the blue flags. The Monaco traffic was particularly frustrating. There were several cars that had the ability to go quicker and I think we were one of them but as always here it is all about grid positions and that is why the race unfolded the way it did."

Raikkonen's teammate David Coulthard also experienced traffic problems, his in the shape of the Renault of Jarno Trulli. Unable to get past, he dived into the pits at the same time as the Italian in an effort to beat him in the stop. It didn't work out and Trulli stayed ahead.

"I was stuck behind him all race," grumped Coulthard. "He was on the same pitstop strategy as I was and we were just not quick enough in the pitstops to get past. Otherwise I would have had the chance to gain a much better position."

Pit stop strategy worked for Trulli's teammate Fernando Alonso, who managed to beat both Jarno and Coulthard on his second stop to come home fifth.