FELIPE MASSA HAS called for officials to ban Kamui Kobayashi after a mistake from the Japanese driver ended the Australian Grand Prix for both competitors just seconds into the opening race of the new Formula 1 season.
Kobayashi, in his first grand prix with the Caterham team, ploughed into the back of Massa’s Williams, crumpling the front of his car and taking both machines off the track at the first corner.
As stewards looked into the incident, Kobayashi accepted blame for the crash and apologised to Massa.
“All my fans, I must apologise to you. And everyone in the team and Felipe. I am sorry,” he tweeted.
There was more drama as world champion Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton dropped out early with mechanical problems.
And the race was eventually won by Germany’s Nico Rosberg who led from start to finish.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo placed second in his first drive for Red Bull with McLaren debutant Kevin Magnussen impressively taking third in an exhilarating race in Melbourne.