Latin duo can keep Schumacher waiting

Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello go back a long way together.

Far enough for Colombian Montoya to recall how the Brazilian, now world champion Michael Schumacher's Ferrari team mate and his own Formula One rival, once raced against his father -- and lost.

"I've known Rubens from years ago, he raced against my dad," the Williams driver said, to laughter, when asked about his friendship with Barrichello after securing pole position at the British Grand Prix earlier this month.

"He was about 15, the race was in the South American kart championship in Colombia. It was in a small city and my father beat him.

"My father was really fast, he used to be able to kick my ass in go-karts as well. He was quick."

On Sunday, the two South Americans will again be in the spotlight as the world waits to see whether Schumacher can seal the title in France and become the quickest world champion in Formula One history.

Barrichello and Montoya, firm friends off the track, can ensure that the title is put on hold for at least another week, even if the German secures his eighth win in 11 grands prix, if one of them finishes second on Sunday.

Both the South Americans have been setting the pace this year, boasting between them seven pole positions from 10 grands prix to date.

Montoya has been on pole in half of them, including the last four, while Barrichello has been closer to Schumacher this season than ever before.

But Barrichello, who won at the Nuerburgring, is 54 points behind Schumacher, while Montoya is third and 55 points adrift of the Ferrari leader. Ralf Schumacher is a point back.

FRIENDLY RIVALS

The title will be over with six races to spare if Schumacher wins and neither of the Latin drivers is second. Other permutations are more complicated.

Given that the last two races have been Ferrari one-two wins, Barrichello will be fancied for another top-two placing to keep things ticking over until the next race at Hockenheim in Germany on July 28.

Schumacher will not be too concerned if he has to wait until he has an adoring home audience.

But he may be more unsettled by the obvious rapport between his team mate and the Colombian, a sworn rival who could well become his eventual successor both at Ferrari and as world champion.

Montoya said when he arrived in Formula One as Ralf's team mate that he was there simply to do a job and not to make friends.

He has been as good as his word in dealing with Ralf but has found an ally in the only other man sharing a garage with a Schumacher.

"We're quite good friends I've got to say," Montoya said of Barrichello.

"We race hard but we respect each other. I know if I put the car beside him he's not going to take me off."

Those are not words likely to be heard in relation to the older Schumacher, with whom Montoya has tangled several times after front row faceoffs.

Yet he is happy to fool around with the experienced Brazilian, whose own relations with the Schumachers have been strained at times.

"Rubens and I...you could tape our drivers' briefings and you wouldn't believe how many little kid things we do. We punch each other...it's very good fun," said Montoya.

In Canada, after Montoya took pole position, the Colombian occupied himself by slyly squirting water at Barrichello under the table top during a news conference as the Brazilian attempted to answer questions.

COMMON HERO

Before the European races, drivers are paraded around the circuit on a truck trailer. The groupings can be telling and inevitably the Schumachers stick together while Barrichello and Montoya stay close.

The two South Americans also share a common hero in Brazilian Ayrton Senna, Barrichello's compatriot, friend and mentor until the triple champion's death at Imola in 1994.

Barrichello, as Montoya's little dig about his past might suggest, has been around for ages in Formula One but he is still only 30 years old despite his 156 grands prix.

Montoya, 26, is still finding his way -- albeit in pretty sensational style -- and knows his best years stretch out ahead of him.

With the championship gone, the Colombian can look forward to some energetic battles while also enjoying the sight of Schumacher being made to sweat by his own team mate.

"I think probably Michael was more pissed that Rubens outqualified him again," said Montoya, discussing Silverstone qualifying. "Michael is not unbeatable and Rubens is doing it. I think it's great for Rubens."