FELIPE Massa will make no apology to David Coulthard.

Ferrari's Brazilian driver has insisted their collision on Turn One on Lap 26 of the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday, ended the Scot's race and brought out the safety car for the second time, was no fault of his.

An incensed Coulthard had said after the incident: 'I can understand that Felipe was in a quicker car and was trying to overtake, but you've got to have your car alongside to pass, especially in a corner like Turn One.

'You can't just ram into them. Felipe took a lunge from too far back and Turn One is a corner where you have to turn in early - it's not like Turn Three, which is a hairpin and the door's open for a long time.'

MISTAKE

Coulthard admitted to a similar mistake last year and demanded the Brazilian own up to his fault.

'I screwed up last year when I tried a move on (Alexander) Wurz but I took full responsibility for it and I would expect Felipe to do the same.'

Nothing doing, says Massa. He felt he had every right to make the overtaking move on Coulthard, saying: 'Ask him, I don't know why he is not very happy.

'He didn't see me. Next time ask him to watch in the mirror because I was completely inside. I'm definitely not going to speak to him.'

Massa's car didn't last very long after the incident - four laps later he retired with engine failure.

And when Coulthard was asked if he was aware that Massa was attempting an overtaking manoeuvre on him, he said: 'Of course.'

But Coulthard, 37, has now suggested that designers of modern F1 cars are not paying enough attention to drivers' rear visibility in their quest to make their cars more aerodynamic. Red Bull's cars, designed by Adrian Newey, have their rear-view mirrors mounted on the side pods.

While these may be suited to race trim, they are situated some distance from the drivers eyes, forcing them to take their eyes off the road ahead while glancing to check what's behind them.

Coulthard suggests this could compromise a driver's safety.

'The FIA should realise that you can see almost nothing out of these sidepod mirrors,' he said.

It has also been suggested that double world champion Fernando Alonso demanded to Renault technicians that his mirrors be moved closer to the cockpit for this season.

With a slower car this year than the McLaren he had been accustomed to last season, he would well need all the rearward visibility he can get.

Wire Servcies