Massa blames Magnussen for first corner crash

Williams driver Felipe Massa has blamed McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen over their first lap incident during the German Grand Prix. Magnussen tagged Massa at the start as they entered the first corner and sent the car somersaulting.

Felipe Massa (Williams) retiring from the race

Massa had started third on the grid and was hopeful of converting his excellent qualifying into a podium. However, his coming together with Magnussen, which the race stewards deemed as a racing incident in which neither could be blamed, ended another race prematurely.

Afterwards he said: “The accident was a little more scary watching than being inside. I just saw everything the other way around. I was in front. If someone needs to watch, it’s the car behind”.

Massa isn’t known for taking responsibility for racing incidents, even though he didn't need to here. His frustration is understandable though as this is the third big shunt in four races. In Canada, he had a huge late crash with Sergio Pérez, for which the Mexican was penalised. And in Britain, he was a hit by an out of control Kimi Raikkonen on the opening lap. In the opening race of the season, he was taken out at the beginning by Kamui Kobayashi.

Kevin Magnussen down hill in his McLaren MP4-29 with open DRS

The Brazilian sits an unjustified 61 points behind his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, due to a mixture of crashes, poor pits-stops and poor strategy. Luck certainly hasn't been on Massa’s side this year.

Magnussen, 21, said: “I need to see a replay of the accident, but if I’d have somewhere to go, then there wouldn't have been contact with Felipe. I am sorry about the situation. I did my best to try and avoid the accident, but there wasn't much else I could do”.

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