By Stephan Heublein, Oct 31, 2011

The feud between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa is entering a "dangerous phase", a Brazilian correspondent wrote after Sunday's Indian grand prix.

The 2008 championship challengers' series of on-track collisions continued at the new Buddh circuit, but this time it was Massa who was penalised.

The suspicion is that by finally putting some blame on the Ferrari driver, tensions might equalise and the quarrel may end.

Johnny Herbert was the driver steward in India, but Alex Wurz has also fulfilled the FIA role in the past.

"In my opinion," said the former Benetton and Williams driver, "it was 50:50. It was a normal racing incident."

Still, tensions are high. Briton Hamilton put his arm around Massa after the minute's silence on the grid to mark the deaths of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli.

"He hadn't spoken to me for a long, long time," revealed the McLaren driver. "I wished him good luck for the race and he gave me a really small acknowledgement, but I wasn't expecting anything more really."

F1 Indian GP 2011

<p> 2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault. World Copyright:Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image GU5G7702</p>
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Sergio Perez, BMW Sauber C30 Ferrari and Paul di Resta, Sahara Force India VJM04 Mercedes. World Copyright:Steven Tee/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _A8C0759
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren MP4-26 Mercedes. World Copyright:Steven Tee/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _A8C1018
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault. World Copyright:Steven Tee/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _A8C1178
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault. World Copyright:Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _G7C0479
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault. World Copyright:Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _Q0C3114
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Paul di Resta, Sahara Force India VJM04 Mercedes. World Copyright:Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _Q0C3557
2011 Indian Grand Prix - Sunday Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi, India. 30th October 2011. Rubens Barrichello, Williams FW33 Cosworth. World Copyright:Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _Q0C3564
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.
during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Brazilian Massa later rubbished Hamilton's pre-race efforts.

"He just said 'Have a good race'. This is trying to -- what?" he asked reporters. "'Have a good race' is not part of any talking."

Then came the collision, and Hamilton did not comment at length afterwards as, according to the Telegraph, boss Martin Whitmarsh advised the driver to leave the track quickly.

According to O Estado de S.Paulo journalist Livio Oricchio, it is not just the media intrigue that must stop.

Shortly after two fatalities in premier motor racing, "Next time, it is them (Massa and Hamilton) who could be hurt," he noted.

Sir Jackie Stewart, a staunch advocate of safety, was told the pair have touched on track in six of the 17 grands prix so far this year.

"It's an alarming statistic," said the triple world champion.

Whitmarsh urged them to sort it out.

"They're young drivers but they're not that young," said the McLaren chief. "They're men. They've been coming together too frequently.

"Felipe is under enormous pressure within that team and that causes him to react and, in truth, Lewis will be feeling under pressure because of the great performances of Jenson Button at the moment," he added.

Tags: Felipe Massa, Ferrari, India GP, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren

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asamuel806

There are too many so called experts making a dinner out of lewis's name, they dont like who he is and what he is (Faster than sonic).
Now, lewis once ask something is holding me back is it because i'm black?
The whole f***ing world caved in, every one looking round all the haters plate in hand, asking what you talking about Lewis? who me? cant be, i'm not a biggot.
No one said it was wrong for Massa to sarcastically assault him during that interview.
Now if lewis had dropped two blows on him? well that is what the animals want.
Look outside the box people.

October 31 2011 at 2:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

bhigdave

after all it is a race and nowing how fragile the cars are why would you take your so called line if another car is there. that would mean that massa and his supporters thinks he's the only car on the track after all he did break his car twice by driving over the wrong part of the kurb

October 31 2011 at 1:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

leakey2

On the inside or the outside,clean part or dirty part of track if its Hamilton overtaking Moany Massa then he's in the Wrong until now how can that be if Massa was at fault then surly he was also to blame for some of the other incidents between them.

Answers on a postcard to J Todt FIA.

October 31 2011 at 12:22 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

kiwieats

formula 1 is suposed to be a race. hamilton thinks i am faster than you so get out my way , i am comming through. massa did nothing wrong . he took the racing line hamilton came up and hit him. at no time was hamilton level with massa therefore massa did nothing wrong taking the racing line.this proves johnny herbert is not fit to be at a race circuit let alone a driver steward. he obviously puts his own agenda first. i would like the free overtaking rule done away with. let the drivers fight every car on the grid even if they are lapping them. drivers who can driver would have no problems. those who rely on having the fastest car would be shown up for their lack of driving skills.

October 31 2011 at 11:33 AM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down Reply

nickkendell

All this is nonsense. We KNOW who the best drivers are; and I'm sorry Mr Hamilton, you are not on that list. You may be a better driver than I am, but you are NOT the best.

October 31 2011 at 11:26 AM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down Reply

lesg4ofy

In this case, Massa was ahead of Hamilton at the entry to the corner and therefore he had the right to take the correct line for the corner. Massa's rear wheel was level with Hamilton'd front wheel. In that stuation it is Hamilton's responsibilty to ensure that he is clear of any collision riak with Massa.

Massa did look across momentarily as they entered the corner but he knew he had the right to take the line and he was entitled to expect that Hamilton should slow to stay behind him. He was looking ahead as he turned into the corner which is correct behaviour in order to take the line he was entitled to.

October 31 2011 at 11:24 AM Report abuse Permalink -6 rate up rate down Reply

Jim

Hamilton is a spoiled brat. Jenson is a joy to watch. I've been lucky to see most of the great drivers since
the sixties and I do feel that there is something lacking with Hamilton in his attitude with the other drivers.
He said a couple of years ago he enjoys the crashes. Senna was his hero but he will never be as good
as him. Maybe it's time he moved to another team to get the love and attention that he craves.

October 31 2011 at 11:22 AM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down Reply

harleyfone

Massa tried to talk with Hamilton In Singapore to sort it out but Hamilton wasn't interested and walked away, So it's no surprise that this situation is still festering, But The penalty was unfair yesterday and a No action taken would have been a better outcome, It was a 50/50 incident, but I believe the penalty had more to do with these two drivers history than the actual Incident itself. It's hard to believe that Mclaren have only won One world title in the last Ten years and If the reports about the new 2012 Mercedes GP car are true it would appear Mclaren will have an even bigger headache to deal with next year. All this nonsense I hear about Hamilton is going to be better prepared for the 2012 season must have gone down like a led balloon with the Mclaren Team, the 2011 season hasn't even finished and Hamilton has lost focus because he split up with his girlfriend, what a load of tosh. Now we we have Hamilton's Dad bragging how fast Lewis is going to be next year

October 31 2011 at 10:54 AM Report abuse Permalink -4 rate up rate down Reply

rodgepodge

Their latest crash was just a racing incident. 30 years ago when real men raced in F1 these minor crashes were part and parcel of F1 and nobody was blamed, these days with these childish prima donnas involved they all just blame one another.

October 31 2011 at 10:46 AM Report abuse Permalink +5 rate up rate down Reply