Alonso apologises to Massa

McLaren's Fernando Alonso apologised to Ferrari's Felipe Massa for an angry exchange after a wheel-banging finish to yesterday's European Grand Prix.

Massa did his best to hold off Alonso on vibrating tyres but the Spaniard muscled his way past on the 56th of 60 laps with the cars touching. Television showed both men having words as they waited to step on the podium.

The title rivals have previous history between them, dating back to last year's Italian Grand Prix when Alonso felt unfairly penalised for impeding the Brazilian in qualifying for Ferrari's home race.

They also clashed after this year's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona where Alonso questioned Massa's driving after a first-corner collision ended his hopes of winning at home.

"I was surprised when he came to say that I did that on purpose," said Massa of the latest incident on a slippery Nuerburgring circuit.

Alonso refused to fuel the latest spat and declared the episode closed.

"We touched each other two times (on the track) and I apologise to him because I was so stressed when I finished the race, because we nearly didn't finish the race," he said.