Three-time World Champion, Jackie Stewart, believes that Michael Schumacher should either support his fellow drivers, with regards safety, or quit his role as leader of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

Stewart's comments come in the wake of a request from many of Schumacher's colleagues for improved safety standards in F1, especially when it comes to testing.

"Schumacher not signing the form pushing for greater safety is a serious oversight," Stewart told British tabloid, The Daily Mirror. "He is one of the leaders of the drivers. To suggest it is anything to do with technical issues is wrong.

By technical issues, the Scot is referring to Schumacher's answer when asked why he didn't sign the open letter, which was sent to the FIA in the wake of the Indianapolis weekend.

Following the United States Grand Prix, 19 drivers signed a statement declaring that they had been willing to race at Indianapolis but withdrew on 'safety grounds'. Subsequently, a meeting was arranged between the drivers and, FIA President, Max Mosley, but this was cancelled following an interview that David Coulthard carried out with the British media. In the interview Coulthard was highly critical of some of the rules which have been introduced in recent years.

As a result, Mosley cancelled the meeting, claiming that Coulthard's comments appeared to suggest a hidden (political) agenda. Subsequently, the drivers signed a letter in which they questioned Mosley's attitude towards safety. Although Schumacher didn't sign the letter, nor did Coulthard, who had previously been the most vocal of drivers.

"If Michael is not prepared to stand up and be counted, I am sure there are those who will excuse him from his duties on the GPDA," Stewart continued. "If he has got a good reason and good logic which the drivers accept, then he stays. If he hasn't, then he doesn't stay - that's called democracy.

"Michael has influence and therefore power. His stand is a big mistake - all the other drivers can't be wrong. These guys are not doing it to cause interference. They are doing it for the good of the sport. Their lives are on the line."

It's worth noting that in his day, Stewart did not have the full support of fellow drivers that he often claims, with several, most notably 1964 World Champion John Surtees, highly critical of the Scotsman's stance on safety, questioning whether some of his 'solutions' caused more 'incidents' than they prevented.

Furthermore, as Stewart calls on Schumacher to make his feelings known, it should be re-iterated that David Coulthard did not sign the (safety) letter that was sent to Max Mosley.

Finally, Pitpass can confirm, that whereas eight drivers have said they will not be able to attend the meeting with Mosley in Cannes next month, McLaren stars Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya both heading off on holiday, Michael Schumacher will be there, as will Coulthard, Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli.