Ralf, Raikkonen, Barrichello Out of German GP

World Championship contenders Kimi Raikkonen and Ralf Schumacher both retired from the German Grand Prix after a crash just after the start today.

Raikkonen's McLaren lost three wheels in the high-speed crash after being hit by Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari and spinning off as he tried to move through from the third row of the grid.

Barrichello and Schumacher, who was hit by both the McLaren and the Ferrari, both limped back to the pits and retired.

"I don't know exactly how it happened," Schumacher said. "Barrichello or Raikkonen would not provoke something like this on purpose and nor would I."

Schumacher said his car was too damaged to continue.

"The side of the car and the undertray were broken. There was no way to continue," he added.

Schumacher's Williams teammate Juan Pablo Montoya made a good, clean getaway from the grid before the crash.

"It's looking good (for Montoya)," Schumacher added. "He's in an ideal position now. I really don't think Michael is strong enough this weekend to really challenge him."

Montoya was in third place in the Championship going into the race with 55 points, behind Michael Schumacher with 69 points and Raikkonen in second with 62 points. Ralf was fourth with 53 points.

The safety car was brought out until the end of the third lap.

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen in a Sauber, Jaguar debutant Justin Wilson and his British compatriot Ralph Firman in a Jordan also retired after being caught up in the wake of the accident.