Brazilian GP: Alonso says he would have given podium to Massa
Fernando Alonso was ready to move aside in the Brazilian Grand Prix to hand team-mate Felipe Massa a podium finish in his final race with Ferrari
Massa had moved up from ninth on the grid to fourth before being given a controversial drive-through penalty for crossing the pitlane entry lines while on flying laps.
Alonso finished third, and confirmed that he had been keen to help Massa in their last race as team-mates after four seasons together.
"It was the last race for Felipe at Ferrari and we wanted to help in whatever way to try to celebrate a podium finish with Felipe, but he got a drive-through, unfortunately," said Alonso.
"I'm sad for him for this race but happy for the last four years. He has been an amazing team-mate."
Massa eventually took seventh following the penalty, and was certain he had been on for a podium.
"For sure Fernando would've let me by at the end, so I'm sure the situation would've been completely different," he said.
"But in the end, I don't want to think about that, I want to think about the nice time I've had with Ferrari, and the friends I met and all the opportunities I had as well."
Asked by AUTOSPORT to explain exactly what he and Alonso had agreed, Massa replied: "We didn't have any agreement, to be honest, but he came to say 'whenever you are behind me, I will let you by'."
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
Why has Felipe Massa launched legal action against F1? Everything explained
Why has Felipe Massa launched legal action against F1? Everything explained Why has Felipe Massa launched legal action against F1? Everything explained
Massa surprised by Ben Sulayem claims over 2008 F1 title legal challenge
Massa surprised by Ben Sulayem claims over 2008 F1 title legal challenge Massa surprised by Ben Sulayem claims over 2008 F1 title legal challenge
Prost-like Massa deserved to retire an F1 world champion
Prost-like Massa deserved to retire an F1 world champion Prost-like Massa deserved to retire an F1 world champion
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024
Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024 Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024
Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue
Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue
Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough
Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The rise of a new F1 superpower
The rise of a new F1 superpower The rise of a new F1 superpower
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.