Villeneuve quits GPDA over 'Schumi-gate'.

Jacques Villeneuve has quit his role in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association after the decision not to remove Michael Schumacher as leader following the Monaco Grand Prix controversy.

Villeneuve had been one of the most vocal criticisers of Schumacher's actions when he was punished for 'parking' at the Rascasse hairpin during qualifying for the grand prix.

The subsequent meeting of the drivers was mooted to be a chance for Schumacher to apologise and also for the drivers to express their opinion on the incident that sparked outrage down the pit lane.

However, calls for him to resign from his post as leader became unfounded, with Villeneuve resigning in protest, according to Jarno Trulli, one of the three directors.

"He left because he has a point of view and is free to do whatever he wants," the Italian told Reuters "The GPDA is not there to judge a driver, it is there to assure that all drivers and teams and circuits have got enough safety."

Indeed, Villeneuve, who had an infamous coming together with Schumacher in the deciding encounter for the 1997 World Championship, had claimed earlier in the week that the seven-time champion should have held up his hands and apologised for his actions.

"Everybody makes mistakes at critical moments but then you have to be big enough to just say 'Oops, sorry guys, that was really stupid of me and it was embarrassing' and life carries on," the Canadian had said..

"If you try and make people believe that you didn't do it on purpose then actually you just look (stupid). Personally I am not happy that someone can run the GPDA and act like that."

Villeneuve is the only driver leaving the GPDA, confirmed Trulli.