Barrichello 'Lucky' to Survive First Corner Chaos

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello thanked his luck after Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix but claimed the first corner clash between teammate Michael Schumacher and Renault's Jarno Trulli cost him a chance of fighting for victory.

World Champion Schumacher hit Trulli's rear tyre as the field headed into turn two and Barrichello, running behind the pair at the time, dropped down the field after almost coming to a halt as he steered around the carnage.

"I was running with Michael a nose in front of me going into turn two and when I saw his car coming towards mine I had to take avoiding action," said Barrichello, who finished second behind McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen.

"I had to go to the outside then come back to the inside and I was so lucky because there were so many things on the track and I ran over them with the tyres but we lost a lot of time and I was then playing catch-up.

"If we were ahead the story could have been different but behind it was difficult catching up. I think he (Raikkonen) opened up a big gap while I was overtaking the others but I think he was a bit faster anyway."

Barrichello's eight points for second place brings him level with Schumacher, who scored five in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and could only manage three for sixth place at Sepang after his first lap incident.