Seven drivers were sidelined by the opening mayhem, including both the McLarens with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya shunting the rear of team mate Kimi Raikkonen and triggering a chain-reaction.

BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld barrel-rolled out, without injury to the German, while Briton Jenson Button nursed his Honda back to the pits and retired as the safety car was deployed.

Midland's Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro and Super Aguri's Japanese Takuma Sato then collided moments after the safety car came in with just seven laps run.

Massa, celebrating his best result in Formula One, led from the start but handed over at the front to Schumacher after the first pitstops.