Barrichello's crashes out in his 300th race

Rubens Barrichello had no luck in his 300th grand Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, with the Brazilian retiring on the first lap after a collision with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

The Williams driver, who has competed in more than a third of all the championship grands prix ever held since the first in 1950, tangled with the Spaniard at the Bus Stop chicane as a sudden shower made conditions slippery.

Barichello retired on the spot while Alonso made his way back to the pits and was in 17th place after seven of the scheduled 44 laps, having made two pitstops already.

Alonso had started the day in fifth place overall, 20 points behind Red Bull's overall championship leader Mark Webber with six races remaining after Sunday.