Japanese GP: Webber slams 'first-lap nutcase' Grosjean
Mark Webber branded Romain Grosjean as the "first-lap nutcase" and his behaviour as 'embarrassing' after a collision caused by the Frenchman on the first lap of the Japanese Grand Prix cost the Red Bull driver a chance of a podium

Grosjean hit third-placed Webber into Turn 2 and spun the Australian round, necessitating a pitstop for Webber, who rejoined at the back of the field.
The race stewards gave Grosjean a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for the incident.
Afterwards a livid Webber suggested to Sky television that the Frenchman might benefit from another enforced period on the sidelines, following his one-race ban at Monza after causing a first-corner accident in Belgium.
"I haven't obviously seen what happened at the start but the guys confirmed that it was the first-lap nutcase again Grosjean," he said.
"The rest of us are trying to fight for some decent results each weekend but he is trying to get to the third corner as fast as he can at every race.
"It makes it frustrating because a few big guys probably suffered from that and maybe he needs another holiday.
"He needs to have a look at himself, it was completely his fault. How many mistakes can you make, how many times can you make the same error? First-lap incidents... yeah... it's quite embarrassing at this level for him."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner added that Grosjean's Lotus team might have to consider how to deal with the recurring first-corner incidents.
"I think the most concerning thing is when it is repeat incidents," he said. "If you make mistakes that's fine, but the key thing is to learn from them.
"He's hosing away points for his team, they are fighting in the constructors' championship and I would be surprised if they were too impressed by that. Seven incidents this year is more than enough, Mark was a victim of the action today and that cost him at least a podium."
Grosjean for his part admitted that the incident was a "stupid crash".
"I was trying to avoid making any contact, but it didn't work," he added.
Webber recovered to finish ninth after a strong drive through the field.
"We were on a one-stop strategy which is not exactly stimulating around here," he said. "We got something from it, I kept pushing, I didn't give up.
"To finish eight seconds behind fifth place considering I was reversing away from the fence [on lap one], and the safety car was in before I got back on to the back of the group. We ticked all of the worst boxes again and maybe I need to have a few whiskeys and get some luck that way.
"But I will come back in Korea and just keep doing what I am doing."
About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Romain Grosjean |
Author | Simon Strang |
Japanese GP: Webber slams 'first-lap nutcase' Grosjean
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era