Korean GP: Kamui Kobayashi accepts blame for opening lap crash

The Sauber driver, who had finished on the podium in the previous race in Japan, got a drive-through penalty after crashing into both men at the end of the main straight on the opening lap.

Both Button and Rosberg were forced to retire as a result.

The Japanese driver, who had to retire after 17 laps because of the damage to his car, said he was very sorry.

"This is a race to forget," said Kobayashi. "Initially I had a good start but then we were four cars side by side approaching Turn 3. I had Nico to the right and Jenson and Sergio on my left hand side.

"Someone hit my rear tyre and then it was impossible to control the car, but I had to brake at some point. I didn't manage to avoid the accident, and I feel very sorry for ruining someone else's race, and certainly this was not my intention.

"It was just a very difficult moment and I had nowhere to go but I think it was my mistake."

Team-mate Sergio Perez finished the race in 11th position after a problem with his pitstop made him lose valuable time.

The Mexican pushed Lewis Hamilton hard over the final lap, but he was unable to pass the Briton and was left with no points.

"It is a big shame that we didn't score points today," he said. "My first stint was really good, despite a little understeer which came from the incident after the start when I damaged the front of the car.

"But our plan was good and the strategy seemed to work out. Then unfortunately we had a problem at the pitstop and could not recover from it.

"This was when we lost the race because I dropped behind a group of cars. Nevertheless towards the end it again looked like there was a chance of scoring a point.

"My car was quick, I overtook Paul [di Resta] and Lewis [Hamilton] had a problem. But in the end I just didn't manage to catch him. Today, I think sixth would have been what we could have done in perfect circumstances."