F1 News
Date: 25/September/2011
Lewis Hamilton's latest on-track controversy continued after the conclusion of Sunday's Singapore F1 Grand Prix, when he clashed with Felipe Massa in the post-race interview area.
Earlier, Hamilton had received a drive-through penalty for clipping Massa's Ferrari during an attempted overtake, which broke the McLaren driver's front wing and punctured Massa's rear tyre.
Hamilton went on to finish fifth, while a fuming Massa crossed the line in ninth.
"Again, he cannot use his mind," said Massa. "What he did could have caused a big accident. He's paying for it, but that's the problem - he still doesn’t understand."
The pair previously made contact in this year's Monaco and Silverstone races - with Massa coming off worse on each occasion. Massa had also criticised Hamilton after a near-miss in Saturday's Singapore qualifying.
"How many times has this happened with me and him this year? So many," Massa continued. "It's important the FIA is looking and penalising him every time he goes in the car. I told him [what I think] but he cannot even listen. Maybe his father can imagine…"
Still simmering, Massa then gate-crashed Hamilton's media debrief, slapping the Englishman on the arm and saying a sarcastic "good job, well done" while giving a thumbs-up to the cameras.
It was an inflammatory move that could easily have escalated as a stone-faced Hamilton spun around to confront the swiftly-departing Massa.
The Brazilian later justified his actions, saying: " I [had] tried to talk to him to clear the air but he walked away without even answering: so I told him what I thought when we found ourselves in the interview area."
Although Hamilton kept his composure, he left the media pen without giving interviews. The official McLaren press release later 'air-brushed' over both Massa run-ins, with Hamilton saying simply:
"I had fun picking off cars after my penalty, but it was frustrating to once again be down the field when I felt we had a car that could have challenged up at the front.
“For me, this weekend was a bit of a missed opportunity. As always, though, I’ll put it behind me – I’m already looking forward to Suzuka!”
The track incident had occurred after Hamilton pulled alongside Massa on the approach to a 90-degree left hander.
Massa, on the inside, was later on the brakes and as the pair peeled into the turn Hamilton made light contact with the Ferrari's right-rear tyre, causing the puncture. Few felt the move had been reckless.
Although they have sometimes attempted to project a friendly image, the rivalry between Massa and Hamilton dates back to their tense 2008 title battle, which Hamilton won by a single point.
Hamilton was driving with "RIP MH & CB" on his helmet, in memory of two friends who died recently - Martin Hines and Christian Bakkerud.
Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel led Sunday's race from start to finish and is now just one point away from defending his crown, with five rounds still to go.
Hamilton, winner of two races this year, is fifth in the standings, one place in front of Massa, who is without a podium this year.
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