SUZUKA, Japan (AFP) - Germany's Adrian Sutil blamed Heikki Kovalainen on Sunday for their collision in the Japanese Grand Prix - an accident that wrecked the Force India driver's hopes of a points finish.

Sutil was chasing after McLaren's Kovalainen in a battle for ninth place when they tangled at the chicane where the Finn abruptly "closed the door" and sent the German spinning.

"It was a really disappointing race," said Sutil, who had been eager to get his team back in the points after their dismal performance in Singapore a week before.

"The start was okay and I could keep my position, but then I fell back to ninth and was caught behind Kovalainen.

"I got past him at the chicane, but then he cut back across and I spun and lost a lot of time. That was really the end of the race for me.

"When that happens it's obviously very disappointing as I thought we could have done really well and got some points.

"We've just got to look forward to the next race in Brazil now - it's a similar type of circuit to here where the car has been competitive."

Sutil, who had qualified in fourth place before being given a five-position grid penalty, went on finish in 14th, just behind team-mate Tonio Liuzzi.

The Italian, starting from the back of the grid, was satisfied with his race.

"Overall I think it was not a bad race," said Liuzzi, who took over from Giancarlo Fisichella when he left for Ferrari last month.

"Starting from that position it was always going to be difficult to score points but we showed a strong pace in the race and never gave up."