Adrian Sutil and Jarno Trulli reignited their bitter row in Abu Dhabi in the build-up to the final race of the season.
Bitter argument erupts again between rivals after Brazil smash
Adrian Sutil and Jarno Trulli reignited their bitter row in Abu Dhabi in the build-up to the final race of the season, with tempers still frayed after last week's crash in Brazil.
Toyota driver Trulli and Force India's Sutil almost came to blows after a first-lap collision forced them both out of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside, Trulli put a wheel on the grass, sending him spinning into the back of the German's car and then into a wall.
The impact resulted in Sutil careering across the infield grass and his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Fernando Alonso.
Trulli jumped out of his car and raced over to Sutil to confront him, and a bitter argument ensued with plenty of angry gesturing and threatening behaviour.
Emotions
Eleven days later and emotions are still running high, and the two men went at it again in the press conference for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Trulli started things off by saying: "Obviously it was very disappointing to end the race like that, especially on the first lap.
"I had every reason to be extremely furious. I've got all the evidence to show I was there and was next to him, and tomorrow we are going to discuss it."
Sutil then responded: "There's nothing to discuss, it was quite an obvious incident. In the end it was very disappointing for me, even more because I was the one who was driving, and he lost control of his car and crashed into my back.
"It's not my problem. It's his problem. I don't know why he's freaking out like that to be honest."
Trulli: "I don't know if you're blind, but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing." (Trulli then produced photographs to support his argument)
Sutil: "But you're trying to overtake me around the outside on the kerb. There was not a problem. You were off the power. The same happened in Barcelona where you lost control again and crashed again into a Force India car (Sutil).
"You have to sometimes respect the limits of the car. If you've nowhere to go, you have to back off. That's how racing is. I don't know how long you need to learn this."
Trulli: "In Barcelona I spun and he hit me because he cut the kerb, cut the circuit completely, and he didn't slow down."
Sutil: "I didn't hit you. You hit me. I don't know what is your problem. I really don't understand."
Asked what was said during their spat immediately after the accident, Trulli replied: "I was furious because he didn't see me.
"I was next to him and he kept on pushing me on the outside until I was obviously on the kerb."
Then the row continued:
Sutil: "It's not a problem to be on the kerb. Where's the problem?"
Trulli (sarcastically): "Yeah, no problem! As long as we know the rules."
Sutil: "I know the rules."
The verbal confrontation resulted in Alonso being asked for his opinion as he had a clear view of the incident prior to hitting Sutil.
With a smile, Alonso said: "I saw everything more or less, but as Jarno said we will discuss it in the drivers' briefing - deeply!"
