Heidfeld slams 'brainless' Sutil for crash that ruined his race

(GETTY IMAGES)

Nick Heidfeld accused Force India's Adrian Sutil of brainless behaviour yesterday after a Singapore Grand Prix collision ended the BMW-Sauber driver's record run of Formula One finishes.

The incident on lap 21 meant the experienced German failed to be classified in a race for the first time in 42 starts dating back to the 2007 US Grand Prix. "I think it was extremely stupid of Sutil," Heidfeld said after leaving the track. "I was ahead of him. He should look where he goes." Asked what his team would do next, the driver said: "Maybe we try to find a brain for him."

Sutil was later fined $20,000 (£12,500) and reprimanded by race stewards. He had been initially unrepentant after spinning on turn 14 and driving into his compatriot, but later apologised. "It was quite frustrating at the start as we knew with the one stop we were very heavy, but Jaime [Alguersuari] was very slow and really fighting with the car.

"He was holding me up a lot and I tried a few times to pass him but I finally saw a chance. I tried and it wasn't enough – I was a little late on the brakes, spun and that's it.

"Then Nick came around the corner and hit my front wing as I was stuck in the corner. I didn't see him coming as I was on the move already and couldn't react to it, but I'm sorry for it. It was a race incident."

The collision ended a miserable grand prix for Heidfeld. He started the race last from the pit lane after his team discovered they had made a mistake with the weight of his car in qualifying. Heidfeld had initially qualified seventh on Saturday night.

"Although my chances were far from promising today, it is still annoying not to finish because of such a stupid incident," Heidfeld said. "He had spun backwards and then just drove back on to the track and straight into my car. That's something you just can't do."

Among current drivers, Heidfeld has had the most starts without a victory. He also holds three other dubious records: he has scored the highest number of points without a grand prix win, shares the record for the most podium finishes without a victory, and has the most second-place finishes without a win, eight.