Kobayashi cleared over first-lap accident

Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi has been cleared of any blame over his first-lap clash with Williams’ Felipe Massa in Australia in Sunday.

The Japanese driver had been summoned to the stewards after crashing into the back of Massa’s car as the pair approached the first corner of the race, eliminating both cars on the spot.

However, having reviewed technical data provided by Caterham, the stewards determined that the incident was ‘caused by a serious technical failure completely outside the control of the driver’.

Caterham have been directed to work with the FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer to determine the cause of the systems failure.

Kobayashi explained on Twitter that no rear brakes had been the problem, adding: "Sorry to Felipe but was not my mistake."