One to forget for Midland.

After an encouraging weekend at Silverstone, Midland endured a race to forget in Montreal after a collision between drivers Tiago Monteiro and Christijan Albers on the opening lap effectively ended the team's Canadian GP before it had started.

The incident occurred when Monteiro went into the back of Albers going into the hairpin, sending both drivers off track on the outside of the turn. While Monteiro was able to recover to the pits, the contact was enough to put a disappointed Albers out on the spot.

"It was a shame to be out so early, because I think our race pace could have been really strong - better than our qualifying, that's for sure," the Dutchman said. "I had a reasonable start and was able to pick up a few positions, overtaking Montagny and Monteiro after the first few corners. I was fighting with Sato for position and then, when I arrived at turn ten, I don't know what happened.

"I just felt something hit me from behind, I spun, and then I saw it was Tiago. Our wheels were interlocked, and it was game over for me, because the right side of my car was destroyed. I think it's quite obvious what happened, so let's leave it at that and move on."

While Monteiro continued to take the flag, he was blighted by handling issues throughout which meant he ran at the rear of the field - inheriting a 14th place finish at the flag when Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato went into the wall shortly after a late safety car period.

"First of all, I have to apologise to my team for my mistake at the start of the race," the Portuguese driver said. "I was on the inside portion of the track, on the dirty part, and I locked my rear wheels. I lost control of my car and hit my team-mate, so I'm very annoyed with myself and sorry about that.

"After that, we changed what we could on the car - obviously, it wasn't in the best condition - and we brought the car home in 14th. We took a big risk on the strategy - Christijan and I were on different strategies - and although mine didn't pay off, we needed to try it. Our soft tyres weren't ideal for the track conditions, and it was really tough race. There were lots of marbles in the corners and the car was very difficult to drive. But we managed another finish, which is really the only positive thing we can take away today. I hope that next week, in Indy, we can have a fraction of the success that we enjoyed last year."

With the race not going plan, managing director Colin Kolles admitted that the teams second 'home' race hadn't been an enjoyable experience, although he insisted that a line had been drawn under the early contact.

"It was not a very enjoyable race for us, because it was finished before the end of the first lap," he said. "So, unfortunately, we just had to endure the rest of it and do our best to bring the remaining car home. As far as we're concerned, the shunt was a racing incident and we've already dealt with it and put it behind us. Now, we must concentrate on doing a better job in Indianapolis."