Pile-up at start in Melbourne

The Williams was launched over the top of the Ferrari under braking and flew down the run-off area, fortunately coming back down on its wheels. Schumacher and Barrichello emerged uninjured.

Schuey Jr said: "He closed the door on me once and then he did it again and from the replay it looks as if he is braking. It's a shame. It was a good start and it could have been a great race I think. Looking from the outside we were both on the inside and I'm sure Rubens just didn't want to outbrake himself so he braked a little earlier and I just didn't expect it."

Barrichello said: "He wouldn't have made the corner if I hadn't been there, no doubt."

The incident triggered mayhem behind. British drivers Jenson Button and Allan McNish - on his GP debut - were both eliminated, along with both Saubers, Olivier Panis and Giancarlo Fisichella.

The chaos has handed the lead to David Coulthard under safety car conditions.

Then nine laps later, the safety car returned to the circuit when Jarno Trulli spun out of third place while under pressure from Michael Schumacher.