Massa defends himself

Massa: Racing accident

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Felipe Massa has denied deliberately colliding with Championship rival Lewis Hamilton in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was handed a drive-through penalty after tangling with the World Championship leader on lap two of the race at Fuji, an incident which pushed the Englishman down to 18th.

Hamilton eventually finished 12th and now leads Massa by just five points with two races left after the Brazilian came home eighth - later to be promoted a place at the expense of Sebastien Bourdais.

Of the suggestion that their was intent in the collision, Massa responded: "I have a good relationship with Lewis and would not do anything to destroy something on purpose. Definitely not."

He continued: "After turn 10 we both braked late and he pushed me a little. I had two wheels on the gravel because he pushed me. In my opinion it was just a racing accident.

"It was hard but fair. The drive-through really hurt my race."

Hamilton was himself penalised for cutting across Massa's team mate, World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, at the start.

And there was yet another penalty applied after the race when Bourdais, who finished sixth at the chequered flag, was handed a 25-second penalty for colliding with Massa after making a pit stop on lap 51.

The Frenchman's Toro Rosso touched Massa's car at turn one, pitching the Ferrari into a spin.

Rash

Massa was critical of Hamilton's rash dive inside Raikkonen at the first corner after the Finn had made the better start.

"Lewis had a bad start and lost position and he tried to brake when everybody was already turning into the corner," Massa continued.

"It was not right. Kimi passed him and then he pushed Kimi too wide. It was too optimistic, especially if you are thinking about the Championship."

Massa also refused to be drawn when asked why Ferrari mechanics appeared to be celebrating after his collision with Hamilton.

"Any time you see a Ferrari car in front of a McLaren it's a good thing for the team," he added. "But you're trying to pour fire on the (situation).

"I admire Lewis as a driver and a person and I'm sure he admires me as well. I have no problem saying hello to him, or discussing stuff or having fun. I won't change my approach."

Of Sunday's result, he said: "It could have been better, it could have been worse. My chances are not so different now.

"We cannot leave here saying it was a disaster."