Coulthard felt Trulli was at fault for the first corner accident which led to his retirement just two laps later.

‘‘The suspension failure going into Priory was because of the accident at turn one when I came together with Jarno,’’ confirmed Coulthard.

‘‘I know we will have different opinions on it, but I was slightly ahead so I felt I had the line for the corner.

‘‘Jarno being on the inside felt he could take that position. Ultimately we came together and it damaged the rear.

‘‘It’s just one of those racing incidents which is unfortunate. You get a close call and sometimes drivers come together. It’s very disappointing, but I can’t change what’s happened.

‘‘I’m sure Jarno is very fired up and with the red mist down, but I turned in and had track position. Two into one doesn’t go and he’s hit me on the right rear suspension.

‘‘I really felt it. It knocked me sideways massively. I got on the radio straight away because you could tell something was wrong.

‘‘Prior to that the car had been working well, which has been the case all year. But I guess you can’t finish them all and it’s unfortunate that it’s the case here.’’

Coulthard, though, is refusing to rule out his title chances as he added: ‘‘What’s happened is very disappointing. But I’m not giving up on the championship because a lot could still happen.’’

Trulli, obviously, felt Coulthard was in the wrong and believes the Scot should have thought about his title hopes before throwing them away at that first corner.

‘‘I had a very good start and I was next to him by the first corner,’’ said the Italian.

‘‘I don’t know if he didn’t see me but he just didn’t want to give up.

‘‘He was on the outside line and he tried to close the door and so I couldn’t avoid the accident. There was no more space for me.

‘‘I had been hoping to score some points. What’s happened is a great shame because the team had done a very good job. We had a great qualifying session and the car was looking very good.

‘‘I will be having a chat with David. We will sit down and try to clear up what happened because it’s a racing accident.

‘‘You have to accept these kind of accidents, but no one really wants anything like that, particularly at the first corner.

‘‘His world title hopes are now over and that’s why I think he should have taken it more easy at the first corner, particularly when you are on the outside.’’

In the closely-fought battle for third, Ralf Schumacher pitted on lap 36 in a time of 12.5 seconds, dropping the German from fifth to sixth. But just two laps later the 26-year-old was out of the race, Schumacher pulling his BMW Williams off the track at Priory due to what appeared to be mechanical failure.

With 21 laps remaining, Hakkinen came in for his second pit stop and was soon followed in by Michael Schumacher for his first, with the Ferrari crew sending the championship leader out again in 8.2 seconds.

Hakkinen retained his lead, but Schumacher slipped to fourth behind team-mate Barrichello and Montoya, who also pitted for a second time on lap 41.

Barrichello came in the following lap and courtesy of a superb time of 8.5 seconds the Brazilian emerged from the pit lane ahead of the Colombian. The changes allowed Michael Schumacher to be elevated back into second place again, albeit 21.5 seconds adrift of Hakkinen.

With Hakkinen and Schumacher comfortably away and clear in first and second places, Barrichello then started to cement the final podium place ahead of Montoya.

With eight laps remaining, the Ferrari was more than nine seconds ahead of the fading BMW Williams and slowly opening up a bigger gap as the each lap elapsed.

The Saubers of Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld were more than holding their own in fifth and sixth, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen adrift in seventh place.