Massa fuming over Hamilton penalty

GREATER NOIDA, India, Oct 30, 2011 (AFP) - Ferrari's Felipe Massa denied being at fault Sunday for the latest on-course clash with Lewis Hamilton at the Indian Grand Prix -- but rejected claims of a feud.

Massa said it was "not understandable" why he was given a drive-through penalty after trapped Hamilton shunted him through a turn. The Brazilian's race ended shortly afterwards when he damaged his left front wheel on a kerb.

"He touched my rear wheel. So, to be honest I don't understand why I have the penalty. It is not really understandable," said Massa. "If it is Lewis or not Lewis, whatever the driver is there, I would do the same."

Massa said there was no feud between the two, who have now clashed three times in recent weeks. But he rejected Hamilton's comments that he tried to patch things up after a minute's silence before the race.

"He didn't try to do anything. When I tried to speak to him he passed through. He did not look to my face, so no. Not here," Massa said.

"After the one minute silence he was at my side and then he just said, 'have a good race'. So this is trying to what? Have a good race? Is that not part of talking, or whatever?"

In Singapore, an angry Massa interrupted a TV interview to confront Hamilton after he crashed into back of the Brazilian's car, causing a puncture.

Two weeks later they clashed again in Japan with Hamilton's McLaren snapping off part of Massa's front wing, an accident for which he later apologised.