Massa slams Sato

The pair tangled when Sato went down the inside of the Brazilian in Turn 1 in an attempt to pass him. Both cars slid off track and while Massa was able to nurse his cars back to the pits, Sato stalled his engine and was sidelined for the rest of the session.

"I knew that Sato was some way behind me and he wasn't in my mirrors or alongside me when I looked before turning in as normal. Then he hit me." said Massa. "I don't understand. This isn't a race today, it's just a practice session..."

BAR boss David Richards, who had already voiced his annoyance with Sato in the first session, was diplomatic following the incident and felt both drivers had some responsibility for the accident.

"Massa was shown the blue flag so he should have let him through, but it was absolutely unnecessary because it's only free practice," he said.