Massa still offended by crashgate scandal

Nelson Piquet Jr has admitted he never repaired his relationship with countryman Felipe Massa after the ’crashgate’ scandal.

Ferrari driver Massa accused Piquet of "robbery" last year, after it emerged that he deliberately crashed his Renault during the 2008 Singapore grand prix.

The crash helped Piquet’s then teammate Fernando Alonso win the race, but Massa - who had led comfortably from pole position - famously drove away with the fuel hose still attached when he made a pitstop under the safety car.

"My relationship with Barrichello and Massa had always been very friendly — they always treated me very well, gave me a lot of advice," Piquet, now a NASCAR truck series driver, told the Brazilian weekly newsmagazine Istoe. "But after Singapore Massa was offended by me, and to this day he thinks he lost the 2008 world championship only because of me."

It is true that Massa lost many points at Singapore, whilst missing out on the drivers’ title to Lewis Hamilton by just a single point.

"Massa is still completely insulted, I’ve never spoken with him (since)," added Piquet.