Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen disagreed with Felipe Massa’s claim on Sunday that he was to blame for their first-corner collision at the German Grand Prix, saying he had nowhere to go.
Magnussen, 21, said he did his best to avoid driving his McLaren into Massa's Williams, causing an accident that sent the Brazilian upside down as he bounced across the circuit on the exit of Turn 1.
Massa was unhurt, but after a visit to the circuit medical centre, he blamed Magnussen for the incident.
The race stewards said no action was needed, and Magnussen, who finished ninth, said there was nothing he could have done to avoid the impact as Massa swung across to take the racing line into the first corner, with the Dane on the inside.
“For sure, if I had another place to go I wouldn’t have had contact,” Magnussen said. “I didn’t see the replay. It’s a bit difficult to comment if you haven’t seen the accident.
“I’m sorry about the situation, but I did my best and tried to avoid him, but I didn’t really have anything to do. I wasn’t really trying to do anything with Felipe, so to have contact with him was very unfortunate.”
Starting fourth, Magnussen spun and lost several positions as a result of the crash, but he recovered to score two world championship points as he finished one spot behind teammate Jenson Button.
Massa, who was third on the grid for the start, said: “The accident was a little bit more scary watching than being inside. I just saw everything the other way around, but I am fine.
“I am so disappointed at what happened. It’s another race and another car that has pushed me out and finished my race – and, for me, with a car that is very competitive and fast.
“That’s so disappointing. I was in front and doing the corner in front. If someone needs to watch, it’s the car behind.”
It was the second successive race in which Massa failed to complete the first lap, coming two weeks after he wrecked at the British Grand Prix when he was collected by the spinning Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen.
"I am doing my best, the team are doing their best, and we just aren't getting the chances we need," the Brazilian said, while trying to take the positives from another strong weekend for Williams, as teammate Valtteri Bottas finished second.
“Well done to Valtteri. It shows we have the car to get on the podium,” he said.
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