Jarno Trulli scored his first-ever Formula One win as Michael Schumacher's winning streak came to a crashing halt in the Monaco Grand Prix. Jenson Button came second in his BAR after a thrilling charge.
Schumacher went into the race looking for a record sixth win from six races but the world champion left without any points after crashing out behind the safety car.
The six-times world champion's first retirement in 19 races handed the initiative to Renault driver Trulli, who won his first race in 117 attempts from pole position.
Button equalled his best result with Rubens Barrichello scoring Ferrari's only points in third. Juan Pablo Montoya took fourth for Williams with Sauber's Felipe Massa fifth and Cristiano da Matta scoring Toyota's first points of the season in sixth.
Nick Heidfeld did likewise for Jordan with seventh while Olivier Panis was eighth for Toyota.
Today's result leaves Schumacher still on top in the championship, but his lead has been cut to 12 points from Barrichello, with Button another six behind.
Takuma Sato had enjoyed a superb start in his BAR, barging past Schumacher on his way to fourth place.
But smoke had been seen from his Honda engine since the start and the unit blew violently after three laps.
Smoke plumed into the faces of the following cars and as David Coulthard slowed down, Sauber's Giancarlo Fisichella smashed into the back of his McLaren.
The Italian's car was hurled into the air and rolled over as it land on top of a steel barrier, with Fisichella fortunate to walk away unharmed.
That carnage brought out the safety car for four laps and when it pulled in, Trulli continued in the lead, with Alonso second.
Button was forced to pit early for fuel and tyres but Schumacher had opted for a different strategy and moved into third when the first round of stops ended.
After Coulthard's early retirement, team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had looked set to bring some cheer to the beleaguered McLaren squad but after running in fourth his car expired and he too exited.
Fernando Alonso crashed out of second place in spectacular style. He lost control of his Renault in the tunnel as he was lapping Ralf Schumacher and slammed hard into the wall.
That brought the safety car out again, seriously undermining Schumacher's strategy. Trulli and Button both pitted quickly and as they emerged in second and third behind Schumacher, they were able to catch right up to the German who was slowed by the safety car.
Schumacher did not get a chance to rue that bad luck as by the time the safety car pulled into the pits, he was walking back to his motorhome after crashing out.
A problem on his left front tyre going through the tunnel saw Schumacher pull into Montoya's path and the resulting impact pitched the Ferrari into a wall, destroying his suspension.
That left Trulli and Button scrapping it out for their first grand prix win and the Englishman chipped away at his Italian rival's advantage to ensure a tense finish.
But on the twisty Principality streets he was unable to force his way past and ended the 77 laps 0.4secs behind.