Toyota duo play down clash

Barcelona brought more misery for the Japanese squad, with Schumacher and Trulli colliding on lap 16 as the German tried to overtake the Italian, who seemed to be lapping slower.

The German had to pit to replace a damaged front wing while Trulli managed to continue.

Schumacher later retired with an electronic problem.

"At Toyota we go to the grid as racing drivers and in a race we are allowed to overtake each other," said Schumacher. "So that means that sometimes things like this can happen. Today I was following Jarno closely during the first stint and I tried to pass him on the entry to the first corner on lap 16.

"It was normal racing but we touched this time. It wasn't a heavy impact but unfortunately I lost my front wing when I hit his tyres so I had to pit for a replacement. That left me well down the field and I then suffered an electronic problem which led to my retirement.

"All in all it was a day to forget. But at least we were quick in qualifying so we have to look to return to the points in Monaco."

Trulli, still without a point this year, finished 10th as he continued with his dismal season. The Italian said he hadn't even noticed the contact with Schumacher.

"I was on old tyres and suffering from graining and he was quicker," said Trulli. "When he made the move on me I just took my usual driving line. I didn't deliberately close the door and I didn't do anything unusual. I didn't even feel the collision and the first time I noticed that we had touched was when Ralf disappeared from my mirrors.

"No one was to blame, it just goes down as a racing incident. Toyota allows its drivers to race on equal footing but I'm really sorry because he is my teammate and no one wants to have any problems inside the team. So I hope we can clarify the situation and I'm sure we will."