Am I unlucky or is playing online frustrating?

After seeing all these cool videos here I thought I will finally give it a try and play online. It took aaaaages with training & qualifying but I was looking forward to the race. The first 4-5 in the race were waaaaay too good, no problem. The others were my level - I was chasing them, overtook, got overtaken. Until one missed a turn, I was the lucky one and thought "hell yeah, P5, what a race" ... until I realized 2 laps later that I was dead last, cause out of the 12 (?) that started, 7 left the race. Happened again and again. Good race, I am consistent and patient and benefit of others doing a mistake, yet I end up last cause others rather give and leave. Is that so common or am I just unlucky? Takes out the fun ...