Haug plays down Alonso-Massa skirmish

(GMM) Norbert Haug on Friday played down an on-track confrontation between Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa during morning practice for the European grand prix.

After getting held up by Ferrari's Brazilian driver, world champion Alonso cut through the NGK chicane before seeming to get his revenge at the first corner by blocking Massa.

"I don't think there was any hostility," said Mercedes' competition director Norbert Haug, following a 90-minute session that ended with Alonso's teammate Lewis Hamilton quickest.

He told Premiere: "Maybe it is a little unnecessary, but I don't think the spectators will complain. So long as they come back to the garage with all four wheels, one must accept that these are young racing drivers."

Dark clouds gathered towards the end of the first of two Friday sessions, leaving the paddock drenched with rain ahead of second practice.

One keen garage observer was Ferrari 'advisor' Michael Schumacher, who touched down at the German venue this morning in a helicopter.