Fisichella slams 'unprofessional' Villeneuve

NUERBURGRING, Germany, May 6 (Reuters) Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella accused Jacques Villeneuve of wrecking his European Grand Prix hopes today and demanded stewards punish the former champion.

''The man's behaviour is unacceptable,'' said the Italian, still fuming a good hour after he had marched down the pit lane to remonstrate with the Canadian Formula One driver in the BMW Sauber garages.

''He is a world champion and it was unprofessional driving,'' he added.

As he spoke through gritted teeth to reporters at the Nuerburgring, the words 'unacceptable' and 'unprofessional' peppered his speech. The anger was palpable.

Fisichella was furious with Villeneuve for getting in his way during the second phase of qualifying, in which he failed to make the final cut for the second race in a row after winning from pole in Malaysia in March and starting second in Australia.

The Roman qualified 13th, but will start 11th due to the demotion of Williams drivers ahead of him, while his Spanish team mate, world champion and points leader Fernando Alonso took pole position.

Villeneuve, a winner at the Nuerburgring in 1996 and 1997, said he did not know what all the fuss was about and did not think he had hindered Fisichella.

The Italian refused to accept that, enraged also that Villeneuve had not apologised when they had met face to face after qualifying.

''I am really disappointed, really angry,'' said Fisichella.

''I don't accept it. There are rules and you have to respect them. There is a code between drivers and you have to respect the code.

''He didn't respect that. There is a rule that if you slow down another driver, you are going to lose your time,'' he continued.

''He slowed me down and didn't give me the possibility to be in the top 10, because otherwise I was in the top 10. My team mate is on pole. I don't say I would have been on pole, but I could have been second, third or fourth.

''I could have had the possibility to race for a win. Now, starting in 13th (11th) I have just lost even the possibility to get on the podium.'' Renault's strategy chief Pat Symonds expressed hope that all was not lost however.

''Bearing in mind his great performance after starting from the pit lane at this circuit last year, I am sure we can work something out to help him gain some positions,'' he said.

Fisichella was sixth last year.

Asked about the spat afterwards, Australian rival Mark Webber suggested that maybe the pressure was starting to get to Fisichella, whose contract runs out at the end of the year.

''It just sums up that he's feeling the heat,'' said the Williams driver. ''He needs everything to go right and if Jacques wrecks his day for one small reason, then it makes it even worse.'' Reuters PM RN2147