European Grand Prix winner
Felipe Massa has received a reprimand and €10,000 fine for having almost collided with
Adrian Sutil as he pulled out of his pit box during the race in Valencia – but, crucially, he has been allowed to retain his victory.
The pole position star and race leader virtually from lights to chequered flag came into the Juan Carlos I Marina circuit's pit-lane on lap 37 of the 57-lap encounter to make his second stop, but on leaving he was released by his
Ferrari crew into the path of Sutil's
Force India, with contact between the pair only narrowly being averted.
That prompted a post-race stewards' investigation into the safety of the incident – with suggestions that Massa could either receive a 25-second penalty for his team's indiscretion, or else a ten-place grid drop next time out in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. As it ultimately transpired, the 27-year-old Brazilian escaped having suffered neither.
As a result of his Spanish triumph, Massa has now closed the gap separating him from
F1 World Championship leader
Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' title chase to just six points, with six races remaining.
