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Felipe Massa put his early spin in the German Grand Prix down to driver error, but says it was a gearbox problem that ended his race.

The Ferrari driver spun at the first corner while running sixth on lap four.

"I braked at the end of the straight and locked the rear wheels," Massa said.

"The car went sideways to the left and I corrected. Then it went sideways to the right and I spun."

German Grand Prix gallery

He said it was then impossible to engage the right gear, stranding him in the run-off and ending his race.

"I was in fifth gear, I tried to go into first to go on, and the gear was not going in," Massa explained.

German Grand Prix race report

"I was stuck in fifth gear. I tried to go and the engine revs went down because it's difficult to lift off in fifth gear.

"I tried with a lot of throttle but it was not possible."

Massa's team-mate Fernando Alonso went on to finish fourth.