Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton conflict resurfaces at Buddh International Circuit – Formula 1 news
The conflict between Felipe Massa of Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes that triggered off earlier in the ongoing 2011 season of Formula 1 was believed by many to have settled down, however Sunday’s 2011 Airtel Indian Grand Prix saw the re-emergence of the issue.
The team bosses Martin Whitmarsh and Stefano Domenicali have stated that the matter can only be resolved if both Massa and Hamilton realise their mistakes and come up with a rational solution to the matter rather than blaming each other for whatever happened during the race.
The infamous collision, which is the 6th accident of the season between the two drivers, took place at turn 5 of lap 24 when Hamilton overtook the Brazilian in an attempt to re-gain fifth position.
Whitmarsh said, “I think they are young drivers, but they are not that young, they're men and they should figure it out for themselves. It would be nice if we get a situation where they are not drawn magnetically towards each other on the circuit and we don't get those incidents.”
If it had been the first or the second time that the two drivers had found themselves in such a tense situation maybe it would have been less serious, but now that this started happening so frequently during the races, it has become all the more imperative that the actual reason should be probed and dealt with. The onus lies with the two drivers involved who are the best judge of the current situation.
The two drivers are exceptionally good drivers, and it is in the best interest of their teams that no more controversies find their way out of the recently held Grand Prix as has happened in the past. Such controversies only serve to provide fuel in creating hype and no concrete solution is achieved in the end except baseless accusations.
At the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, when a similar situation emerged, Massa made all efforts to resolve the issue with Hamilton who appeared to be least moved by it, and did not reciprocate in the same manner.
Taking sides with Massa, team principal of Ferrari Domenicali said, “I think with that Felipe showed the way he wanted to speak with him - that's fact - but of course we need to overcome this position because it's not good for anyone.”
He asserts that it is about time both Massa and Hamilton sit down and talk out their differences, before the matter is blown out of proportion.
It should be interesting to see how both the drivers tackle this issue.
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