SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 2 (Reuters) - French Formula One driver Romain Grosjean will miss next weekend's Italian Grand Prix after being handed a one-race ban and 50,000 euros ($63,000) fine for causing a first corner pile-up in Belgium on Sunday.

His Lotus team said they would not be appealing the stewards' decision.

"When you love racing it's very hard," Grosjean, looking stunned, told reporters after returning to the team motorhome following a meeting with race officials in the Spa paddock.

"I accept my mistake...I misjudged the gap with (McLaren's) Lewis (Hamilton), I was sure I was in front of him. It's a small mistake in a way but a big incident.

"I am not here to stop the race in the first corners, I am very glad that nobody is hurt. But I have to say it is a very hard decision to hear."

The Frenchman has been involved in seven incidents in 12 races this season and triggered Sunday's crash at Spa when he turned into Hamilton at the first corner after Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado's Williams had already jumped the start.

The Briton had nowhere to go and the concertina effect lifted Grosjean's car into the air and skimming across the front of championship leader Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, the Spaniard fortunate not to be hit on the head.

Both the Saubers were also affected in an incident that brought out the safety car. The stewards said the collision was "an extremely serious mistake and an error of judgement" that had eliminated leading contenders from the race.