Nov.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa on Sunday came close to following recent advice to 'kiss and make up' after their spat-fuelled 2011 season.

The pair, jointly awarded the tongue-in-cheek BBC "naughty boy" prize earlier this weekend, shared a hug after the season finale in Brazil.

"I'm going to make it up with him," said the McLaren driver before approaching Massa during the Ferrari driver's media appearance for Portuguese language reporters.

Those watching the embrace, in the context of the duo's spate of on and off-track run-ins, smiled and clapped.

"That was a really nice gesture," agreed Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Said Hamilton's boss Martin Whitmarsh: "It was not planned at all, Lewis had simply changed his mind and wanted to take a step forward.

"I think both of them are adults and wanted to just look ahead to the future," added the McLaren chief.

Massa is quoted by Brazil's Globo: "I never had anything against him, there has always been respect in all these years.

"After everything that happened this year, I found it very cool for him to come here to talk to me. I would not go there because I did nothing wrong."

Hamilton's gesture followed a notable change of mood for the Briton, who sounded determined to bury in the past his tumultuous 2011 season.

"There have been times this season when I have not performed as well as I could. But I got that out of the way and made sure they (McLaren) know that I am aware of it," he said.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version