Singapore fireworks as Massa shoves Hamilton

UPDATE

There were more than just fireworks in the Singapore skies

Lewis Hamilton didn't comment on his collision with Felipe Massa which earned him a drive-through penalty during the Singapore Grand Prix.

"Congratulations to Seb on a great drive – he drove fantastically all weekend," Hamilton said. "And well done to Jenson, too – he showed what was possible from our package by really getting the maximum out of it. He nearly brought home the victory too – so I'm encouraged that we can continue to challenge for wins for the rest of the season.

"I had fun picking off cars after my penalty, but it was frustrating to once again be down the field when I felt we had a car that could have challenged up at the front. For me, this weekend was a bit of a missed opportunity. As always, though, I'll put it behind me – I'm already looking forward to Suzuka!"

09/25/11 (GMM) There was fireworks in the sky after the Singapore night race and then fireworks in the paddock between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

Brazilian Massa, highly critical of Hamilton's aggressive driving in the past, was annoyed with the McLaren driver after a qualifying incident and then enraged after the race.

Hamilton was penalized for puncturing Massa's rear tire, and so the Ferrari driver returned the favor whilst the Briton was being interviewed by German television after the race.

Massa's shredded tire

Eyewitness observers said Massa physically pulled Hamilton and slapped his shoulder whilst sarcastically saying "congratulations".

"Massa lays into Lewis verbally and then said to have shoved him in TV scrum," The Times' Kevin Eason revealed on Twitter.

And the Telegraph's Tom Cary quotes Massa as saying: "Lewis cannot use his mind".

[Editor's Note: Hamilton is too aggressive and tries to make passes by shoving other drivers out of the way.]