FIA wrong to punish Kubica, not Hamilton

(GMM) Felipe Massa says the stewards were wrong to penalize Robert Kubica last Sunday but not Lewis Hamilton.

BMW-Sauber's Kubica at Fuji Speedway was given a drive-through penalty for tagging Hamilton while trying to pass for position, but Hamilton – a week later in the Shanghai paddock – was given the all-clear for driving erratically behind the safety car.

Kubica, of Poland, said in China on Thursday: "I did not hit him on purpose. We have seen many contacts between drivers and nothing happened.

"I hadn't gained any position but (the penalty) destroyed my race."

Ferrari's Massa told the Spanish newspaper Diario As that the Kubica penalty was "hard" and "unfair".

"He was on the inside – the right line – and he didn't mean to hit Hamilton. I don't understand the sanction.

"On the other hand, the man who leads (Hamilton) did many things behind the safety car that were wrong and punishable.

"I have seen the internet video and have no doubt that he should have been penalized for moving suddenly and causing the accident between Webber and Vettel," the Brazilian reportedly told his country's press.

Massa, who dropped out of the championship fight in Japan last Sunday, suggested that it might not be a coincidence that Hamilton has not been significantly penalized at all in 2007, including in the espionage saga.

"Throughout the year, many drivers have been sanctioned for small things, but there is one (driver) who never gets anything," Massa observed.

"It seems that someone wants Hamilton to win," he added.

The highest motor racing official in Spain, meanwhile, agrees that it is strange that Hamilton escaped penalty for what he become known as the 'YouTube' affair.

"What is certain is that in similar circumstances, penalties are applied," FIA vice president Carlos Gracia said.

The German newspaper 'Bild' quoted Hamilton as saying he was "happy" and "extremely relieved" when he heard that he would not be penalized in Shanghai.

"It was a hard day," the McLaren driver said on Friday night, "but now I can sleep well and try to win the race."

Mercedes' Norbert Haug agreed that the stewards made the "right decision".