Massa bemoans first-corner crash

Massa, starting from 12th position, lost control of his car when he moved to the right and into the grass when trying to gain ground at the start.

His car jumped over the kerb and crashed into Liuzzi, with both men retiring on the spot.

The accident was investigated but it was deemed a racing incident.

"I did the start and I was 12th on the grid," explained Massa after the race. "Rosberg did a very, very bad start from sixth and everybody was passing him. I got in his tow and was much quicker than him and tried to go left.

"But then I saw that Sutil was on the left so when I saw him I tried to go to the right, because Rosberg was going to the left as well.

"But then when he saw that Sutil was alongside and that I was on the right, so anticipated a little bit the corner and then I had no space. I had to go on to the grass and then I couldn't turn and I went straight. When I touched the kerb which sent me completely to the left where there was some cars coming and I hit Liuzzi. It was a shame."

The Ferrari driver admitted he struggled again to get the maximum from his tyres over a single lap after his disappointing qualifying performance.

"When I went to Singapore I had a problem on the first lap of qualifying," he said. "Then you come here and you have so many issues in the qualifying, and then I had the crash at the first corner, so for sure it is frustrating.

"I'm not here to start in the middle of the grid, I'm here to fight for first position. That's what I'm looking for. Now I need to concentrate to do a good result in the last three races."

Despite being out of contention for the title, Massa insisted he will try to do his best in the remaining races of the season.

"We still have three races and we don't know what is going to happen in Korea which is a completely new track," he said. "I think many things can happen. I think is you have a race the opposite to today then many things can change again.

"So I think it is still open, especially when you have many people fighting for the championship. But now the best thing is to be on the podium in every race. Because that will play a big role at the end of the championship.

"I am a driver, I always drive for the best position. I know I cannot fight for the championship but anyway I will try my best to put myself in the best position on the grid. That's what keeps you concentrated and optimistic."