Mark Webber has branded Lotus Renault driver Romain Grosjean a "first-lap nutcase" following his move on the second turn at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Australian was forced to pit when he suffered a puncture to his right rear tyre as a result of a collision with Grosjean's wing.

It's the seventh time that the Frenchman has been involved in an incident of this nature, in only his second race back after a ban for dangerous driving at Spa.

Webber went on to finish ninth, but believes that he could have done better had it not been for the early trip to the garage.

When asked about the incident, the 36-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I haven't seen what happened at the start but the guys confirmed it was the first-lap nutcase again, Grosjean.

"The rest of us are trying to fight for some decent results each weekend but he's trying to get to the third corner as fast as he can at every race.

"It makes it frustrating because a few big guys obviously suffered from that today. Maybe he needs another holiday."

Webber's teammate Sebastian Vettel went on to win the race at Suzuka.