Massa: I was upset with Lance

Stroll told reporters more than once before the season started that the Massa was not his mentor. The Brazilian refrained from making a comment at the time, but now five months down the road the Brazilian veteran spoke about the remarks on "Conversa com Bial" talk show.

Massa recollected, “With all humility, I did a lot for him. When I first met him, he was a 7-year-old, so it was a pleasure for me to be with him, trying to help him."

“When he arrived he struggled to find the speed, to understand an F1 car, to understand how the tyres work, he was only 18-years-old. I was very close to him, we talked a lot and I tried to help with things that I have never seen another driver do."

“Not even Schumacher, who was a master mentor for did this for me and what I tried to do for Lance. So yes, I was upset because it was not what I imagined he would say, but now there's no problem,” added the Brazilian who retired from F1 last year.

Stroll may have taken offence with Massa when the former Williams driver questioned the team's direction by taking on two pay drivers, tackling the season with two grossly inexperienced drivers - Massa was replaced by rookie Sergey Sirotkin.

The 11-times grand prix winner maintains his opinion, "They took a direction that is not the correct one. Stroll joined the team because he brought money."

"Then after I left and they took another driver that is also bringing money to the team, they were not trying to get the best driver," lamented Massa who ironically delayed his retirement by a year when Williams, at the Stroll's behest, required an experienced driver to partner the teenager because Valtteri Bottas had moved to Mercedes.

Perhaps Stroll's minders believed their lad did not need more mentoring after a pretty impressive rookie season last year. How wrong they were!