Hamilton hoping to mend Massa relationship

F1 News
Date: 13/October/2011

Lewis Hamilton insists he still has plenty of respect for Felipe Massa and hopes they can 'be cool again', despite the Ferrari driver's colourful reaction to their on-track skirmishes.

Hamilton and Massa, rivals since their tense 2008 title battle, have clashed repeatedly this season - culminating in Massa publically confronting Hamilton in front of the TV cameras in Singapore.

To make matters worse, the pair made contract again at the recent Japanese round, when Hamilton failed to spot the Brazilian alongside him.

But while Massa has got madder, calling on Hamilton to be punished by the FIA, the Englishman - censored earlier this year for an ill-judged outburst after a frustrating Monaco Grand Prix - has kept his composure.

Hamilton again tried to diffuse the tension when asked about the situation with Massa on the eve of this weekend's Korean Grand Prix.

"I’ve always had respect for Felipe and still do today, regardless of the negative comments that he’s constantly coming up with," said Hamilton.

"It’s easy, in this sport, when you’re competitive and in the heat of the moment, to say things that perhaps you don’t mean, whether or not he does mean them. But regardless, I’ve tried to show respect, particularly in the last race, I’m very, very sorry for that.

"I really didn’t see him," Hamilton explained. "So by the time I realised he was on the left it was too late. I think I’ve been in the wrong place in the last few races.

"Perhaps if I was doing the right job I wouldn’t be in this situation with Felipe. But again, just all due respect and I hope that in the future we can put our guards down and he can be cool with me again. I’m cool with him, so I have no problems with him."

Hamilton, outperformed by team-mate Jenson Button this season, hasn’t been on the podium since his second victory of the season, in Germany.

"It’s been five bad races," he admitted. "I think it’s a combination of things. I put most of it down to myself and of course, there are times that you find yourself a little bit unfortunate."