Alonso says lucky to survive first corner

The McLaren driver made contact with Massa after trying to pass around the outside on the first corner, but the brush was enough to send Alonso off track and damage his car.

Alonso, who dropped from second to fourth in the accident, was unable to follow the leaders after that, having to settle for fourth before Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen retired and allowed him to move into a podium position.

"Well, it was very tight at the start," said Alonso. "I put myself behind and thanks to the slipstream I was a little bit quicker. I went around the outside and braked a bit later.

"I think I was much in front of him into the first corner, but unfortunately he didn't think so and we touched.

"We were lucky to finish the race because in 99 percent of incidents like this both cars go out at the first corner. It is dangerous these type of things.

"The car was damaged and unfortunately it was more difficult to drive. We needed a miracle after being third and a little behind the other two people."

The Spaniard, winner of his home race last year with Renault, said he was very disappointed with this third place.

"No doubt I'm very disappointing with the race itself," he admitted. "If Kimi hadn't retired probably I would be out of the podium and, starting second, that was not the aim of the race."

Alonso is now two points behind Lewis Hamilton in the standings after the first four races of the season.