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Ferrari Hits Back at Negative Massa-Alonso Reports

Ferrari continue to insist that the relationship between its two drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will stay the same, despite the pit entry road incident involving the pair during the last weekend Chinese Grand Prix. Team principal Stefano Domenicali was the first man to calm things up in the Ferrari garage, despite the several media reports suggesting otherwise.

Gazzetta dello Sport's reporter Pino Allievi wrote that Alonso's move could be the first step towards a much-expected feud between the two Latin drivers.

(It was) an abrupt way of reclaiming the team leadership with an unexpected and chilling maneuver. Typical of someone who, behind the peaceful exterior, hides the killer instinct of a champion,” said Allievi, who was followed by the Brazilian media into blowing the situation out of proportion.

Earlier today, however, Ferrari issued a media statement in which it condemns the “false polemics” from the international media – that's actually the title of their statement – insisting that Massa's comments after the race, when he said he ran into the grass to avoid an accident with Alonso, were taken out of context.

What happened yesterday with Fernando overtaking Felipe was just an episode in a race and I should be treated as such. Our drivers know how to behave on the track and they have shown it also this time,” said a Ferrari spokesman from Shanghai.

Naturally both want to win and they both bring fighting spirit to the races, while respecting a very simple rule: the team's well-being is of more importance than the individual's well-being.”

Some news outlets used some statements by Felipe Massa after the Chinese GP, which were somehow taken out of context: obviously someone is trying to create bad blood between the two drivers after Fernando Alonso's overtaking maneuver of his teammate at the pit lane entrance on lap 19. Furthermore both drivers were very clear after the race: this episode won't change anything at all regarding the relationship between the two. Felipe and Fernando are traveling back to Europe on the same flight, together with the Scuderia's technicians,” added the Ferrari statement.
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