Massa and Hamilton continue dispute

Lewis Hamilton today accused Felipe Massa of lacking a grown-up attitude after finding his olive branch snubbed by the Brazilian.

Hamilton has endured four collisions with Massa this season, much to the fury of the Ferrari driver who has made no secret of late of his disgust at the McLaren star’s driving.

After their bust up in the interview pen post-race in Singapore, it was only natural the duo should again be involved in another minor accident in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

On this occasion, however, the stewards decided not to impose any penalty on Hamilton, much to Massa’s disappointment.

A contrite Hamilton has since accepted full responsibility for the latest coming together which saw Massa lose the front-wing endplate of his car at Suzuka, so compromising his race.

Hamilton has also expressed hope he and Massa can become friends again as he said: “I think so. Of course, the situation has not been great for some time now.

“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.”