Alonso knew about 'crashgate' plot, says Massa
Massa caused uproar when he accused Alonso of knowing about the 'crashgate' plot
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By Matthew Champion. |  |
Thursday, 15, Oct 2009 10:30
By Adam Leveridge
Felipe Massa has admitted he is suspicious over Fernando Alonso's involvement in the 2008 Singapore grand prix 'crashgate' plot.
When speaking to Brazilian media at a meeting in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, Massa said he had no doubt that Alonso would have known about the plot for Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately crash in order to help him win the 2008 Singapore grand prix.
"In all, he is the least of the problem," Massa was quoted as saying by the Brazilian media, referring to Alonso's involvement in the race-fixing scandal.
"It was the team and Nelson - but Alonso was part of the problem. He knew. We cannot know it, but of course he knew.
"It's an absolute certainty."
Massa's comments created uproar ahead of this weekend's Brazilian grand prix, forcing Massa and Ferrari to make a spectacular U-turn and clarify the remarks in a statement.
"What I've said is the outcome of a hunch I've had and is not based on any concrete evidence," Massa said.
"The FIA world council announced that there was no indication that Fernando may have been informed of what had happened and I respect this outcome.
"Obviously I'm very disappointed about what transpired last year in Singapore: I have already said several times what I thought about it and now it's time to close that chapter and to look to the future."
The news is especially timely as it was recently announced that Alonso would be joining Massa as his Ferrari team-mate from the start of next season.
But Massa claims his comments will have no bearing on the rapport between the pair.
"What is certain is that this episode will not mar in any way the relationship I'll have with Fernando when we will be team-mates," the Brazilian added.