Trulli gets a stunning start

Renault’s Jarno Trulli made a sensational start to the British Grand Prix as pole sitter Rubens Barrichello was left trailing in the wake of the Italian.

Trulli got off to a flier in the 60-lap race at Silverstone, with championship contender Kimi Raikkonen also overtaking Ferrari driver Barrichello going into the first corner.

Ralf Schumacher just managed to hold off brother Michael as the Williams and Ferrari men made a charge once the five red lights disappeared to signal the start.

McLaren’s David Coulthard, who had started 12th on the grid, moved up to ninth at the end of the first lap, with Jenson Button 15th in his BAR after starting at the back following a suspension failure in qualifying yesterday.

As the leaders maintained their formation for the opening few laps, the safety car then needed to be deployed on the sixth lap following a remarkable incident involving Coulthard.

The foam-filled cockpit headrest rim of the McLaren suddenly flew off the car, leaving debris strewn across the track and resulting in Coulthard being forced to pit.

It also led to a bunching of the field behind the safety car which remained on the 3.194-mile Northamptonshire circuit for a further two laps.

The Scot, who had moved to within a place of a points-scoring position, was dropped to 19th following a 28-second pit-stop.