The
Williams man wasn't the only one in trouble early on, as otherwise impressive debutant
Robert Kubica also spun on lap two, but rejoined a chastened 15th having been in touching distance of the points on the opening tour. Enjoying better fortunes, Alonso slipped past
Renault team-mate Fisichella for fifth, keeping up the pressure on Schumacher who, alone among the
Bridgestone runners, appeared to have traction, having started on full wets when most of the field - Michelin or Bridgestone - had opted for intermediates.
The battle between the top two men of the season so far came to a head on lap three, with Schumacher squeezing the faster Alonso towards the pit-lane entry when the Spaniard attempted to pass. The Renault man remained undaunted and, using the wider 'karting' line, as opposed to Schumacher's traditional path, eventually swept around the Ferrari on the run to the chicane.
Button, meanwhile, was beginning his climb up the order in rather more sedate fashion, having only made it to eighth place with a pass on
David Coulthard at the end of the previous lap, but was already looking to be among the quickest men on track.
The rain returned with some force on lap five, but not before de la Rosa had caught and passed Barrichello, the Brazilian having also opted for full wets before the start. Curiously, given the worsening conditions, the
Honda man was in at the end of the lap to change to inters, emerging in tenth spot. Tonio Liuzzi and Tiago Monteiro, meanwhile, were the next to indulge in a quick, if harmless, moments, while leader Raikkonen continued to pull away comfortably, already 12.5secs clear of Alonso in third.
Button was now making more rapid progress, despatching both Massa and Fisichella in the space of a lap, before homing in on Schumacher's fourth place. The German put up little resistance to his British rival, allowing the Honda to set off after the
McLaren 1-2, while the other
Ferrari, of Massa, indulged in another spin, dropping him to ninth.
