“I’ve always had respect for Felipe, and I still do regardless of the negative
comments he is constantly coming up with.
“It’s easy in the sport, when you are competitive and in the heat of the
moment to say things you don’t mean – whether or not he does mean them.
“Regardless, I have tried to show respect. In the last race, I am very, very
sorry for what happened.
“I really didn’t see him. I’ve seen the replay and he was quite far up the
outside of me, but out of my mirrors I can’t see a thing (due to
vibrations), and I was looking to the right and I didn’t see him.
“By the time I realised he was on the left it was too late.
“I’ve been in the wrong place in the last few races. We’ve had the car to be
quite a bit further up ahead, as Jenson (Button) has shown.
“Perhaps if I was doing the right job I wouldn’t be in those situations with
Felipe.
“Again, all respect is due, and I hope in the future we can put our guards
down and he can be cool with me, as I am cool with him, so I have no
problems with him.”
That, though, appears unlikely to happen because when Hamilton’s thoughts were
aired to Massa, his response was far from welcoming.
“I’ve nothing to say. I’ve seen many mistakes, and not from me,” said Massa.
“I’ve tried to speak to him and he didn’t want to, and to be honest I don’t
care any more. I’m not going to speak to him.
“I’ll just carry on doing my job, like always, and look to the future.”
After what occurred in Suzuka, Massa did call on the FIA to look more intently
at Hamilton’s driving given the number of incidents he has been involved in
this year.
Massa has now confirmed to speaking to FIA race director Charlie Whiting,
adding: “The most important thing is they (the FIA) should be consistent.
“I’ve discussed it with Charlie, had a little chat and told them to be more
consistent. Nothing more than that.”
Massa’s reaction drew a shrug of the shoulders from Hamilton, who said: “Well,
if he doesn’t want to be a grown up about it, that’s fine.”