 Rain that had fallen earlier that morning had removed some of the rubber on the track, meaning that graining, when small grains of rubber come off a tyre, was likely to be a problem; out of the two tyre types, the harder would better cope with this.Räikkönen made a good start, retaining his first position; Massa behind him maintained his second place.Alonso, who started third, was passed by both Trulli and Kubica, but re-passed Kubica at the hairpin turn exit.