Race and classic pictures

Hamilton wins title, Massa gracious in defeat

Lewis Hamilton won the first of his three world Formula One titles on his this day at the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix after a wild finish to an intense campaign.

Needing to secure fifth to beat Ferrari’s Felipe Massa if the Brazilian were to take victory on home soil, the McLaren ace slipped to sixth in the closing stages of a thrilling race held in mixed weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Massa, who had been driving a stellar race at Interlagos, claimed a dominant win, and was effectively world champion for a handful of seconds until Hamilton overtook Toyota’s Timo Glock, who had stayed on slicks on a wet track, at the penultimate corner to snatch the title.

Massa was very gracious in defeat after the race and on the podium, which earned the popular Brazilian many plaudits.

“We need to congratulate Lewis because he did a great championship and he scored more points than us, so he deserves to be champion,” the 2008 Brazilian GP winner said. “I know how to lose and I know how to win and as I said before it is another day of my life from which I am going to learn a lot.”

A true class act.

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Why Dunne quit McLaren – and why he has no regrets

In a paddock where driver academies are treated like golden tickets, F2 charger Alex Dunne…

1 hour ago

Gasly opens up on loss, grief and the death of Anthoine Hubert

For Pierre Gasly, the invisible scars left by grief can be far more difficult to…

2 hours ago

No more Mr. Nice Guy: Hill urges Piastri to get tough in 2026

Oscar Piastri spent much of last year playing the "good soldier" for McLaren’s papaya rules.…

4 hours ago

Five years on: Grosjean reunites with fiery Bahrain GP helmet

Many F1 drivers have stared danger in the face, but few moments in the sport’s…

22 hours ago

Before Shelby's days of taming the Cobra

Carroll Shelby was born on this day in 1923, and while the great Texan is…

24 hours ago

Cassidy stands tall in Mexico City – and so does Citroën

Nick Cassidy delivered to Citroen Racing its maiden ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in…

1 day ago