Alonso Laments Startline Accident

Spaniard Fernando Alonso lamented a startline shunt with Minardi's Jos Verstappen at today's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The Renault driver finished a remarkable eighth after starting last, but the Spaniard was unable to avoid a collision at the start. The incident cost Alonso an early pitstop to replace the front wing.

The point scored allowed Alonso to keep fifth place in the Championship, although tied with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.

"Starting from the back of the grid is always a risk and unfortunately, I lost the front wing at the start: I hit Jos' car as he was trying to avoid the Jaguar," explained Alonso. "I lost a lap by stopping and after that, all I could do was push to the limit for the rest of the race.

"Our lap-times were good but, with all the problems we had, it wasn't enough to score big points today."

Alonso's teammate Jarno Trulli could not even complete a lap, his car breaking down while running third on the opening lap.

"There's nothing much to say. I got a flying start and was fighting with Michael and Juan Pablo in the first few corners," said Trulli. "I was going through the second Lesmo when I felt that the power steering had failed, then the engine cut out. It's a real shame, because the car was good today."