Schumacher appeals for sense at start.

Michael Schumacher has played down speculation that further wet weather in Melbourne could lead to an accident-strewn Australian Grand Prix - but also called for his fellow drivers to be sensible at the start.

Twelve months on from the fifth-lap accident that claimed the life of marshal Graham Beveridge, safety remains uppermost in the minds of the F1 circus. However accidents in practice, particularly that of Takuma Sato, have focused attention on the possibility of what is essentially a street circuit causing additional problems on race day.

Asked whether the facility, complete with road marking and kerbs that become slippery when wet, Schumacher said that there would no real concerns provided that each driver considered what he was doing.

"Melbourne has some similarities to Monaco, especially because of the lines we have on the road, but otherwise it is a very well built circuit in a town and I wouldn't say that you will see particularly more accidents, there is no reason for it," he told journalists.

"It really depends how hot the guys are going to be tomorrow after the start, because that is going to be a factor. If it is wet and everybody is just a little bit clever enough, and knows that you don't win the race in the first corner, then I think it's going to be alright - but it really depends on the temper, how much they keep it under control."

The German and Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello refused to be drawn as to whether a pre-race agreement would see one of other lead into the first corner. Barrichello snatched a surprise pole position from Schumacher in a qualifying session blighted by heavy rain.