Massa-Hamilton tiff takes centre stage in Suzuka

Since Singapore,Ferrari’s in-race radio transmissions have come to light in which Massa’s race engineer Rob Smedley urged his driver to “destroy’’ Hamilton’s race.

Even though the comment was likely figurative,and though there was no doubt the accident was Hamilton’s fault,the news had added even more spice to the incident. “Apart from the fact that I don’t recall what Rob said,I don’t think there’s any value in stirring up trouble now and trying to link this with the subsequent contact with Hamilton: they are two separate moments and they have nothing to do with each other,’’ Massa said on the Ferrari website.

Massa had told media that Hamilton was a serial offender in causing accidents. However he now says they can patch things up. “I’m sure that Lewis and I will find a way to clear this up and put a lid on this story,as is only correct between two drivers. What happens on the track should remain on the track.’’

Like Massa,Hamilton preferred to keep the focus on the upcoming race but said he has no plans to change his aggressive style. “Suzuka will play to my strengths,’’ Hamilton said.

It’s been a tough season for both drivers. In the race before Singapore,Massa had a collision with Red Bull’s Mark Webber and finished sixth in the Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton has now gone 25 races since his most recent pole position and failed to make the top three in Singapore for the first time.

Button extends McLaren stay

Jenson Button has signed a new multi-year contract with McLaren,the team announced on Wednesday. McLaren said in a statement that retaining Button’s services would strengthen the team’s long-term stability. McLaren gave no details about the deal,other than saying it was multi-year,but the length of time will end paddock speculation about a possible move by the Briton to Ferrari for 2013.