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F1 US GP: Massa upset with Alonso over COTA clash

Felipe Massa says he doesn't agree with Fernando Alonso's suggestion that their coming together during the United States Grand Prix was merely a 'racing incident', saying it cost him a shot at a top five finish.

The Brazilian was catching the Toro Rosso of Carlos Sainz in the closing stages of the Texas race when he too was caught by the charging McLaren-Honda of Alonso.

Wasting no time in attempting to pass Massa, Alonso dived through at turn 16 to catch Massa unawares, sparking contact between the pair and leaving the Williams driver with a puncture.

With Alonso going on to finish fifth and Massa seventh, despite the unscheduled pit-stop, the stewards investigated the incident but decided to take no further action.

"I think I was side-by-side with him, it wasn't like I was coming from behind or anything crazy," said Alonso, speaking before the stewards opted to take no action. "I was already side-by-side. There was no space for him to come in, it should remain a racing incident."

However, it was a view not shared by Massa as he argued Alonso 'destroyed his opportunities' and deserved a penalty to reflect.

"I was going round the corner and he just dived completely up the inside," Massa retorted. "I was already entering the corner he just hit my car and I had a puncture. It destroyed my opportunities so I think it is his responsibility."

Zdroj: crash.net