Motor Racing: Massa refuses to blame crew for pit disaster
Posted: 29 September 2008 0240 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Ferrari world title contender Felipe Massa had a disastrous Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday but refused to blame the mechanic who ruined his race.

The Brazilian, ahead of rival Lewis Hamilton at the time after 15 laps, was given the green light to leave the pits but the fuel hose was still attached as he accelerated away, spraying petrol and knocking over one of the pit crew.

Massa ended up sitting in his Ferrari at the end of the pit lane as the crew frantically ran after him and managed to pull the hose free.

But he was given a drive-through penalty for almost hitting another car as he drove away and rejoined in 18th place, ending any hope he had of making the points.

Despite the disaster, he was philosophical.

"We could have finished first and second and it could have been different," he said as he slipped seven points behind Hamilton in the drivers' standings with three races left after the Briton finished third.

"We are all human beings, everyone makes mistakes. I am not the sort of person who goes to a guy and fights with him."

It was a race to forget for Ferrari with defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen failing to finish after ramming his car into the barriers with just four laps left. - AFP/de

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