From the start, Ralf Schumacher and Montoya were fighting for position into Turn 1. They touched as they were virtually side-by-side and Ralf span off, taking the unfortunate De Matta with him. Montoya was forced to pit at the end of the first lap for a new nose cone.

Despite working his way into 2nd place by the 2nd lap, Raikonnen's old ghost caught up with him again and on lap 11 his engine blew causing his premature retirement from yet another Grand Prix.

Lap 27 saw Raikonnen's team mate, Coulthard, retire, also with an engine problem. That's 8 retirements out of 14 starts between the two McLarens this Season!

The remaining racers had a fairly mediocre outing.

The final placings were:

1. M. Schumacher
2. Barrichello
3. Button
4. Trulli
5. Alonso
6. Fisichella
7. Webber
8. Montoya