Schumacher in Career Low after Malaysia

World Champion Michael Schumacher contemplated his worst start to a Formula One season today after colliding with Italian Jarno Trulli at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Never before, not even in his first full Championship with Benetton in 1992, has Ferrari's 34-year-old German failed to finish on the podium in one of the year's first two races.

Schumacher's sixth place in Malaysia, following on from fourth in Australia two weeks ago, left the five-times World Champion sixth in the overall FIA standings.

Although level on eight points with five drivers tied for third, he is rated sixth due to his race placings - behind Juan Pablo Montoya, teammate Rubens Barrichello and 21-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso. Under the new points system, rewarding the top eight, Schumacher has eight points. In the past, the same finishes would have gleaned only four.

After winning 11 races out of 17 last season and finishing every one on the podium, the World Champion has come down to earth with a bump. He had only himself to blame on Sunday, although Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne partially absolved the champion later.

"Big Surprise"

"It was a tough race with an unfortunate start," said Schumacher, who hit Trulli's Renault into turn two on the first lap of the race and accepted the blame. "I made a mistake and hit Jarno and I have apologised to him. That was the decisive moment of my race."

Schumacher picked up a drive-through penalty for causing an avoidable accident - meaning that he had visited the pits four times by the end of the race including refuelling and a stop for a new front wing.

"It came as a big surprise that I was still able to fight for points after I pitted for the drive-through penalty," he said. "So I am happy enough in the circumstances. I have no complaints about my car, which worked very well, thanks to the team. Let's hope the next race will be better."

Gascoyne said Schumacher might have been misled by an engine misfire that momentarily slowed Trulli's car and allowed the German to try and squeeze past.

"Jarno actually said he had an engine hesitation and so I think Michael thought he had him but then Jarno picked up," he said. "Ultimately, as Jarno closed the gap, he wasn't going to go but to be fair to Michael there was an engine hesitation which made him probably think he should go for it. Given that, it was probably a little harsh."

The incident still ruined Trulli's race and team boss Flavio Briatore felt Renault, who had Fernando Alonso third, might have taken a double podium finish without it. There was also a knock on effect, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams hit in the rear by Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia's Jaguar, which was in turn hit. Flying debris also damaged Jos Verstappen's Minardi.

Schumacher's Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello was lucky to avoid the accident and finished second.