Hamilton hugs Massa as feud and bad season ends

Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa on Sunday came close to following recent advice to ’kiss and make up’ after their spat-fuelled 2011 season.

The pair, jointly awarded the tongue-in-cheek BBC "naughty boy" prize earlier this weekend, shared a hug after the season finale in Brazil.

"I’m going to make it up with him," said the McLaren driver before approaching Massa during the Ferrari driver’s media appearance for Portuguese language reporters.

Those watching the embrace, in the context of the duo’s spate of on and off-track run-ins, smiled and clapped.

"That was a really nice gesture," agreed Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

Said Hamilton’s boss Martin Whitmarsh: "It was not planned at all, Lewis had simply changed his mind and wanted to take a step forward.

"I think both of them are adults and wanted to just look ahead to the future," added the McLaren chief.

Massa is quoted by Brazil’s Globo: "I never had anything against him, there has always been respect in all these years.

"After everything that happened this year, I found it very cool for him to come here to talk to me. I would not go there because I did nothing wrong."

Hamilton’s gesture followed a notable change of mood for the Briton, who sounded determined to bury in the past his tumultuous 2011 season.

"There have been times this season when I have not performed as well as I could. But I got that out of the way and made sure they (McLaren) know that I am aware of it," he said.