Massa dismisses ‘black cat’ Hamilton prank

(GMM) Local driver Felipe Massa dismissed as "part of the sport" a prank designed to curse his championship contender Lewis Hamilton's quest for the 2008 title in Brazil.

Brazilian TV comedians threw a toy black cat, a sign of bad luck in Brazil, at the British driver at a sponsor function earlier this weekend. They also gave Hamilton a football jersey of Vasco da Gama — a team renowned for finishing second.

Hamilton confided later that he doubted "very much" if a similar prank would ever take place against his rivals in Britain, and McLaren was said to have launched an investigation into how the pranksters were even given access to the Johnnie Walker event.

"Sport is like that," Massa said after driving to pole position on Saturday.

"I think if somebody went and hurt him I would be very disappointed but I think that's part of the sport."

Two years ago, the same comedians presented Rubens Barrichello with a toy tortoise, telling the Brazilian it was a prize for his contribution to the sport.