Hamilton takes F1 championship in dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix
November 3, 2008
What a race!! Just 20 seconds from the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix it appeared that Felipe Massa would be the 2008 Formula 1 world champion. His rival Lewis Hamilton had a few minutes ago slipped into 6th position. That was enough for Massa to take the title.
As rain fell Hamilton’s prayers were answered as Timo Glock suddenly lost pace on the track and allowed the young Brit to sneak back into the championship winning 5th position that he needed.
Massa did all he could do and crossed the finish line in first place, the Ferrari pit at first thought they had the title but then realised Hamilton had got up into 5th place to take the F1 drivers championship. In the presentation it was a bitter sweet moment for Massa. He was champion at his home grand prix but he missed the big prize by the closest margin.
The Toyota’s were 17 seconds slower than the cars around them on the crucial last lap. You have to ask why? Had the tyres gone off that much in the rain? Was the fuel about to run out? Or did Toyota want Hamilton to take the title.
There you have it. Hamilton appeared to be heading for another heart breaking loss of the world championship. Massa had crossed the line with Hamilton in sixth. He thought he had the championship. In a moment of high drama Glock dropped back and Hamilton got into the magical 5th position.
Hamilton’s father was speechless after the race.
Going back to the start of the race it was rain that played havoc. A short sharp rainfall delayed the start and forced the teams to go for wets. The race got underway and then the key decision was when to change tyres.
As the race went on Massa was comfortable in first and Hamilton was settled inside the top five. With about 10 minutes to go some light rain fell. In came some of the teams including Ferrari and McLaren to change tyres.
A charging Sebastian Vettel pushed past Hamilton to push the Brit into sixth place. The McLaren camp look stunned. The title was gone. But then the dramatic finnish unfolded and within minutes all had changed and Hamilton snatched the title in perhaps the most dramatic conclusion to a formula 1 championship.
Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton who now becomes the youngest F1 champion. Ferrari took the constructors title.
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Amazing.. Dramatic ending.. Dramatic season.. Love it so much.. Congrats Hamilton.. Poor ferari for the stupid celebration before they realized massa had not done it.. Haha..