OCTOBER 7, 2012

Webber blasts Grosjean

A frustrated Mark Webber has branded Romain Grosjean "the first lap nutcase" after being spun to the back of the field by the Lotus driver at the first corner of the Japanese Grand Prix. By Tony Dodgins (@TonyDodgins)

A frustrated Mark Webber has branded Romain Grosjean the first lap nutcase after being spun to the back of the field by the Lotus driver at the first corner of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Webber came into the Suzuka weekend on the back of a poor run which had netted just 12 points from the previous four starts. He was, however, expecting a strong race in a Red Bull RB8 complete with double DRS system for only the second time, the team having dominated qualifying and locked out the front row for the first time this year.

"I haven't obviously seen the start yet," Webber said upon climbing out of his car after a recovery drive to ninth, "but the guys confirmed it was the first lap nutcase again, Grosjean."

The French-Swiss has only just returned from a race ban at Monza incurred as a result of causing the first corner shunt at Spa a month ago.

"The rest of us are trying to fight for some decent results each weekend," Webber went on, "but he is trying to get to the third corner as fast as he can at every race. It's frustrating and maybe he needs another holiday...

"He needs to take a look at himself, it was completely his fault. How many mistakes can you make? How many times can you make the same error? It's quite embarrassing for him at this level."

Grosjean explained that he was concentrating on Sergio Perez, who was trying to overtake the Lotus on the left, when he made contact with Webber.

"Mark came to see me after the race and obviously was not happy," he said, "but I apologised and we have to move on. Not a good day..."

A sixth successive disappointing race since winning the British GP in July effectively ended Webber's outside chances of the championship, leaving him 60 points adrift of series leader Fernando Alonso and 56 behind Red Bull team mate and race victor Sebastian Vettel, the season's first back-to-back winner.