Massa back-tracks after claiming Alonso knew about Singapore conspiracy
Massa believes Alonso was in on Renault's Singapore scheme
Felipe Massa is trying to downplay comments made to Brazilian media about what role Fernando Alonso might have had in the Singapore Grand Prix scandal last year.
Massa originally told the press he suspected Alonso knew of the plan for Nelson Piquet Jnr to crash in the early stages of the Grand Prix, helping Alonso to win the race:
Alonso was part of the problem. He knew. We can not know it [but] of course he knew. [It's an] absolute certainty.
Felipe Massa
Perhaps he forgot for a moment who his team mate is next year? He later tried to soften the remarks, adding:
This episode will not mar in any way the relationship I’ll have with Fernando when we will be team-mates.
Felipe Massa
Alonso, wisely, didn’t take the bait:
I think first of all, I don’t know what is true or not – maybe it was a misunderstanding with Felipe or the media or whatever. So it is difficult to know what is true and what is not true about what he said. Later he said a different thing.
Fernando Alonso
The last thing Alonso wants is fresh discussion about the affair. The World Motor Sports Council denied he played any role but the fact he stood to gain most from the conspiracy has provoked a lot of suspicion. And not just online (see previous articles for plenty of that) – even Martin Brundle took to calling him ‘Teflonso’ the other week.
It all serves to heighten anticipation of Massa and Alonso at Ferrari next year. They’ve had a few scrapes over the years: Alonso received a penalty that was widely deemed too harsh for delayin Massa at Monza in 2006; in 2007 Alonso went off at the first turn in his home race while trying to pass Massa, and the pair had a heated argument after clashing on the final lap at the Nürburgirng that year as well.
Massa will be Alonso’s first competitive team mate since Lewis Hamilton. Will the new duo get on any better after this rocky start? And is Massa right or wrong?
Renault Singapore crash controversy
- Alonso praises Briatore after podium
- ING and Mutua Madrilena drop Renault
- Do F1 drivers help decide strategies? Alonso doesn’t, Hamilton does
- Mosley says Renault got the ‘harshest penalty’ but hardly anyone agrees
- Renault escape ban for crash (Poll)
- Did more foul play by Renault scupper Schumacher in the 2006 title decider?
- Fernando Alonso should renounce his Singapore Grand Prix ‘win’
- Briatore and Symonds step down as Renault accepts Singapore crash charge
- Piquet-Renault scandal: more new evidence and complaints about leaks
- Statement by Nelson Piquet Jnr on his Singapore crash leaked online
- Did Piquet crash on purpose? (Poll)
- Nelson Piquet Jnr and Fernando Alonso in Renault Singapore claim
- Piquet’s scathing attack on Briatore
- Nelson Piquet Jnr dropped by Renault
- Alonso and the Piquet-Renault fall-out
Dennis said on 16th October 2009, 10:24
I think Massa has hit his head a bit too harsch. He’s acting like a little cry baby. First he’s crying that “crashgate cost him the championship” whilst it was obvious that he got a LOT of help from the FIA. If it wasn’t for them he wouldn’t even be in a position to win the championship so he needed to shut up then.
He also needs to shut up now. I didn’t know Massa was a detective? The WMC investigated the crash and apparently all evidence points to the fact that Alonso had nothing to do with the crash. Wether he had a hunch or not, his strategy was set before Q3 and Nelsinho brought it up after the qualification. Massa deserved a lot of respect for the way he lost the championship last year. Too bad he’s losing all that respect a year after. I’ve got a message for Felipe: Let it the **** go already!
There’s no point in what he’s doing. Just when you thought this embarrassing F1-damaging scandal was over this crybaby comes along and makes it all start over. Thank you Felipe! Good thing both Hamilton and Alonso say they don’t really care what Massa says.
tEQUILLA sLAMMER said on 16th October 2009, 11:01
Alonso will thrash the pants off Massa in the same car, absolutely no doubt aboutthat!!! If the Ferrari is back to form in 2010, Alonso will be a triple world champion at the end!! #:)
mp4-19b said on 16th October 2009, 11:46
Spanish ego!
bobo said on 16th October 2009, 11:50
hahaha you are right there mp4
GV27 said on 16th October 2009, 12:30
Not all spanish people are like this. I, for example, am spanish, and a Tifossi, and there’s absolutely no way that I’ll support Alonso. And I also believe Massa will be able to fight with Teffy.
bwells said on 16th October 2009, 20:00
I think every F1 driver in history has a huge ego!… well maybe Vettel could be an exception as he just has so much fun… having an ego is part of being a driver in the best form of motor sport…
mp4-19b said on 16th October 2009, 11:18
Jenson BUTTON is under no pressure :D :P :)
http://ndtv.f1pulse.com/UserFiles/Image/september2009/WHAT-PRESSURE.jpg
UnicornF1 said on 16th October 2009, 11:29
:D:D:D
steph90 said on 16th October 2009, 13:47
Lol!!!
marcus said on 16th October 2009, 11:24
Alonso’s weakness is the fear of having somebody possibly better then him.
Hamilton’s weakness is he chokes when it really matters for the title.
Massa’s weakness is a spring…..
Bad_Whippet said on 16th October 2009, 12:02
Despite being the 2008 WDC?? Yep, that makes sense.
I know you’re going to highlight the 2007 season as an example, but that was his first season in F1… he didn’t do too bad for a rookie I seem to remember.
marcus said on 16th October 2009, 13:25
ofc he won the WDC in 2008, with the pure luck of Glock just taking the extra points and avoiding both vettel and hamilton without putting up a fight. hamilton chocked with having little pressure on the brazil race. he dropped the ball with his right hand and barely caught it with his left hand
Hamilton chokes when he is under pressure dont you remember when he was behind button and screwed up at Monza?
im not just focusing on just hamilton and saying he is useless, because vettel has choked a few times this year. but when was the last time you saw Alonso choke or Massa since singapore 08 doesn’t count for massa since that wasn’t his fault.
and china 07 was another good example of him choking. his tyres might of been smooth as ice but did he really have to go so fast in the pit lane and risk it? nope..
and im pritty sure any rookie would do well in a Mclaren/Ferrari/Renault hybrid and was able to test it without restrictions unlike this year ofc.
Hamilton IMO is his own worst enemy sometimes when he needs to win, but weirdly enough when it doesn’t matter he puts in a solid race with no problems.
pSynrg said on 16th October 2009, 13:55
Sorry but that is nonsense. Lewis hasn’t shown signs of ‘choking’. He’s certainly pushed beyond the limit at times but never have I seen him ‘choke’.
China 2007 – a big fat “Oops!” ended that one (a rookie error, from a rookie no less. Please explain Alonso Canada 2007.)
Brazil 2008, lucky Glock didn’t change his tires or unlucky he had a win taken away from him in Belgium etc. etc. etc.
He is WDC, nothing else matters. Oh and he’s also the most scintillating driver in F1 right now.
I would LOVE to see Kimi at McLaren.
But hey this is supposed to be about Massa playing brilliant mind games. Shake that Alonso rattle Filipe before he has chance to throw it out again!
marcus said on 17th October 2009, 13:00
oh come on how can Lewis hamilton actually claim he is a “rookie”, you try to make it sound he never drove on any of these tracks or has driven a Formula 1 car before. thats the reason why the rookies of today are struggling, because hamilton and Vettel were the last young drivers to get infinite practice before the tournament with their current car so they didn’t suck.
Alonso was under more pressure then lewis that year and defending his title comes to mind?, and dont forget he still tied with Lewis that year.
Alonso has done a better job defending his title in the past then Lewis has at the moment, with having schumacher on his back for 2 years and still doing it.
he is only “scintillating” because of media hype of “certain things about him” because none of the media gave a damn about Alonso or Kimi when they won their championships or even the matter cared until lewis came around.
i find lewis the most arrogant, back stabbing, lieing, obtuse racer i have ever laid eyes on. Felipe massa is more “scintillating” then lewis because massa is a people’s champion. Lewis just wants it for himself regardless who he “(annoys) off” when he starts to lose poorly.
and no he isnt WDC because he is out of the running now, all that matters now is that either Button, Rubens or Vettel will take that title soon.
pSynrg said on 17th October 2009, 16:26
Urm, Rookie is the title ANY racer is given in their first season of a series or formula. Whatever their background.
So you don’t like Lewis, that much is clear but the stats speak for themselves. Lewis had the measure of the double world champion Alonso. Who seems to need a particular set of circumstances as well as a fast car in order to succeed.
Don’t get me wrong, I rate Alonso very highly and sort of like him but…
toncho said on 16th October 2009, 21:02
Actualy 2007 was probably his best season so far, luck or coincidence?? Remember that AlO was claiming he was copying his settings.
Robert Silvestre said on 16th October 2009, 12:25
I’m Brazilian so have the luxury to hear Felipe’s comments in my native language. Assuming I’m reading him right, he honestly believe Alonso knew about everything that unfolded in Singapore. Just too honest and for some weird reason he believes he’s wearing some kind of protective shield when talking to Brazilian media. Go figure…
He made a mistake, not the right way to welcome your new teammate.
Platine said on 16th October 2009, 13:53
Im surprised at the combination Ferrari have chosen, besides KR being better than FM, I think FM will tolerate badly being consistently out-performed by FA, who is in a different class to the brazilian. They are both prone to emotional reactions, and given Massa’s statement of the obvious truth about FA’s cheating, their relatiionship has already started to flare up.
LH vs FA for title, JB and NR on their heels. IF KR goes to McLaren, a lor of people will ea their words about him, he’ll ba main challenger too.
Dr Jones said on 16th October 2009, 17:02
Massa, just drive and prove you are a worthy champion or else Alonso will. Stop living in the past.
GeorgeK said on 16th October 2009, 17:20
You beat me to it, Dr Jones. Massa’s continuing whine about crashgate exposes his soft mental attitude. Alonso will crush him on track and off track in all things race related. He has the head and heart of a champion, not to mention the ruthlessness required to persevere, ala Schumacher. I think Alonso will thrive at Ferrari; Felipe will wither on the vine.
JohnBt said on 16th October 2009, 18:33
All angles have been covered with good and justifiable comments. Let’s give them a chance and see how it unfolds next year. Should be very interesting. 2 more races 2010 next!
toncho said on 16th October 2009, 20:54
It might sound like a crazy idea to most of you, but the problem with the MCL situation in 07 was not ALO’s attitude but rather HAM’s. After all he was who started whinning (in Monaco if not before) or ignoring team orders (Hungary)…
I think MAS-ALO will work just fine, they are both latins, they will be no mind games, a noisy father or the british press messing up. If they have a fight they will just scream at each other and that will be it. Hard to understand, but that’s the way it works.
BTW I don’t think Kimi will end in MCL he is just to competitive to accept a number 2 role.
John H said on 16th October 2009, 23:06
I think you’ll be right… but only if Massa doesn’t beat Alonso too often.
And all those people that think that Alonso is the most complete driver on the grid, then to say he didn’t have a hand in the Singapore strategy is pure contradiction. Of course he knew, Massa is right, but that’s just my opinion I guess.
Hamilton and Alonso are both born winners who have both cheated this season.
At least it will make for a tastey 2010!
pSynrg said on 16th October 2009, 23:07
You see I don’t see Lewis as happy or satisfied to have #1 status with the likes of Kimi in the team.
He does not come across as a competitor that would be happy with a false advantage.
Just as he wasn’t happy that Alonso was to get a false advantage at Monaco etc.
The situation with Heikki on the other hand is simply one of knowing Heikki’s just not in the same league as Kimi, Alonso or indeed himself.
Alpha said on 17th October 2009, 18:14
As I said before too… of course Alonso knew about the crash before hand. He knew it all along!