Massa and Alonso call truce

FELIPE MASSA is adamant he has cleared the air with new Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Massa caused a stir towards the end of last year following the confirmation of Alonso’s appointment by claiming the Spaniard was aware of the ‘crashgate’ plot that resulted in his victory in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

It was not the first time views had been aired between the duo as they twice had differences of opinion following races in Spain and Germany in 2007.

Such past confrontations led to suggestions their Latin temperaments would continue to clash at Ferrari, yet Massa maintains he and Alonso have so far managed to start off their new partnership on the right foot, in stark contrast to his previous relationship with Kimi Raikkonen.

“Things have started extremely well,” remarked Massa at Ferrari’s annual pre-season winter event in the Italian Dolomites.

“We’ve already started to speak a lot about the car and what to do to have a competitive car. I’ve spoken more to Fernando now than in three years with Kimi.

“As for the problems, we have discussed them.

“You all saw what happened in 2007 when we spoke in Germany. I gave my compliments to him for the race and he said I had done something that was not honest.

“But that wasn’t true, so I talked to him about it and he said he was sorry, and that was it.

“It’s like when you talk to your mother and everything goes on as normal once you’ve said you’re sorry.

“Personally I have no problems. There are no strange feelings or opinions about Fernando.”

Massa is also delighted to see close friend Michael Schumacher return to Formula One as the two men forged a close bond during the German’s final season at Ferrari when the Brazilian was his team mate.

Schumacher, however, will be a rival on this occasion after signing to Mercedes, and Massa can appreciate his desire to return after witnessing the 41-year-old over the last three seasons in his role as Ferrari advisor.

“When he ended his perfect career he stopped at a difficult moment,” added Massa.

“It’s always difficult to think about stopping when you’re fighting for a championship up to the last race.

“He had an incredible career, but he never stopped racing in reality. He never stayed home without racing, and without doing what he had been doing in the past.

“So in the end he decided to return. It’s his decision, and in his place, if I had wanted to race because something was missing in my life, maybe I would have taken the same decision.

“Of course it’s a bit strange now to see Michael racing for another team, but we have to look forward and continue with our lives.”