Felipe Massa: A Champion at Heart
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If you follow F1, you know by now that McLaren-Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton pipped the 2008 World Drivers Championship (by the narrowest of margins) from Ferrari piloto Felipe Massa at yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix. It was a great race and an epic finish to a long and interesting season, the first in many years to be run without the aid of traction control (Yessssss!).
Felipe did everything he had to, winning the pole and the race in convincing style. As he crossed the finish line, he was the champion -- but only for an instant. Behind him, Hamilton slipped back into fifth position on the last turn, all he needed to do to beat Massa for the crown by a single point
For Massa, the passionate Brazilian, winning the driver's title in his home race would have been the highest of highs. Yet to miss it by an inch was to miss it by a mile. His disappointment was crushing, and it was visible in his eyes, his body language, his tears. As human beings, we can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it. It was in this idiom that the world got a good look at what Felipe Massa is made of.
"I know how to win," he said in the post-race press conference, "and I know how to lose. This day, like every day in my life, is something that I will learn from. I'm so proud to be a part of this team, and we should celebrate the Constructors' championship that we won. My guys worked so hard for everything we have accomplished, and we should be proud of this day."
He then went on to thank his family, his fans, the people of Brazil, and everyone at Ferrari from president di Montezemolo down. He finished his comments by congratulating Hamilton on a great season and a well-earned championship. You may recall that a year ago, Hamilton was in a similar situation to Massa, finishing a close second. I don't remember him being quite so gracious.
Lewis Hamilton is F1 champion. Felipe Massa is a champion among men. Complimenti.
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