STORY OF THE DAY— World Champion for 38 Seconds: Felipe Massa arrived at his home Grand Prix seven points behind Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 World Championship. Massa had to win and hope Hamilton finished sixth or lower. Starting from pole in this Ferrari F2008, the Brazilian did everything required of him: he controlled the race and crossed the finish line first, ahead of Fernando Alonso and teammate Kimi Räikkönen.

Then came one of the most dramatic endings in Formula One history. Rain returned in the closing laps and most of the leading cars changed to intermediate tyres. Timo Glock stayed out on dry-weather tyres. Sebastian Vettel passed Hamilton, dropping the McLaren driver to sixth — a position that would have made Massa World Champion.

Massa crossed the finish line and the Ferrari garage erupted in celebration. But the championship was still being decided behind him. On the final lap, Glock was struggling desperately for grip as the rain intensified. Vettel passed him, and then, only corners from the finish, Hamilton did the same. Fifth place gave Hamilton exactly the points he needed to win the World Championship by one point.

For 38.9 seconds — the time between Massa and Hamilton crossing the finish line — Massa was effectively World Champion.

The F2008 nevertheless delivered Ferrari the Constructors’ Championship. Massa had lost the Drivers’ title in the cruellest possible way, but his dignity on the podium became almost as memorable as the extraordinary finish itself.