Race notes 5: Spanish GP

(GMM) McLaren-Mercedes' Norbert Haug refused to criticize Felipe Massa after the Brazilian and Fernando Alonso touched lightly at the first corner of Sunday's Spanish grand prix.

The incident, which damaged the bargeboard and possibly also the under-body aboard Alonso's silver car, ensured that the Spaniard could not charge for victory, but Mercedes' competition director said Ferrari driver Massa was not at fault.

"Of course the incident did not help us, but it was a clean and courageous maneuver," the German told the broadcaster 'Premiere'.

"That can be the price you pay when you start the record from second place."

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It emerged in the Circuit de Catalunya paddock that Kimi Raikkonen's failure may have been related to the F2007 car's battery.