Lewis Hamilton's 2008 Title Win: A Brazilian GP Heartbreak for Felipe Massa

Eighteen years ago, one of Formula 1's most iconic title showdowns unfolded at the Brazilian Grand Prix, culminating in a dramatic and unforgettable finish that secured Lewis Hamilton's first championship and left Felipe Massa heartbroken. The race is famously immortalized by commentator Martin Brundle's call, "Is that Glock? It is, that's Glock!"

Why it matters:

The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix remains a defining moment in F1 history, not only for its thrilling conclusion but also for the long-lasting impact it had on both drivers' careers. Hamilton's maiden title marked the beginning of his legendary journey, while for Massa, it was a near-miss that still resonates today, particularly with his ongoing legal challenge to be recognized as the 'rightful' champion.

The Details:

• The Stakes: Heading into the final race, Lewis Hamilton led Felipe Massa by seven points (94 to 87). Under the old scoring system (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1), if Massa won, Hamilton needed to finish fifth or better to secure the title. A win for Massa coupled with Hamilton finishing sixth or worse would have made Massa champion due to having more wins (six to Hamilton's five).
• Race Progression: Massa dominated the race from the front, while Hamilton initially held a comfortable fourth place. However, a late-race rain shower at Interlagos dramatically changed the scenario.
• The Pivotal Pit Stops: Both Massa and Hamilton pitted for wet tires. While Massa maintained his lead, Hamilton rejoined in fifth place, but critically, he was passed by Timo Glock's Toyota, who gambled on staying out on dry tires.
• Vettel's Challenge: With three laps to go, Robert Kubica unlapped himself, and in doing so, Hamilton slid wide at Juncao, allowing Sebastian Vettel (then in a Toro Rosso) to pass him for fifth. This dropped Hamilton to sixth, putting Massa in a championship-winning position.
• Glock's Role: As the final lap began, Hamilton was in sixth, seemingly losing the title. However, Timo Glock, struggling immensely on dry tires in the worsening conditions, was crawling around the track. Hamilton managed to overtake Glock at Juncao, the final proper corner of the final lap, reclaiming fifth place and with it, the championship.

Between the lines:

While the 2008 Brazilian GP is etched in history for its on-track drama, a deeper narrative involves the "Crashgate" scandal from the Singapore Grand Prix earlier that season. Nelson Piquet Jr.'s deliberate crash, which led to a safety car and a disastrous pit stop for Massa (driving off with the fuel rig attached), directly impacted Massa's championship points. This incident, and allegations of a cover-up by then-FIA and F1 officials, forms the basis of Massa's current legal claim.

What's next:

Felipe Massa has launched a court case in the UK, alleging a "conspiracy" and seeking £64 million in damages. This stems from a 2023 interview with Bernie Ecclestone, who claimed he was aware of Piquet Jr.'s deliberate crash during the 2008 season but chose to cover it up with Max Mosley to avoid a scandal. Massa is not aiming to overturn Hamilton's title but seeks recognition as the 'rightful 2008 champion' due to the alleged manipulation of the Singapore race results. The legal proceedings continue, keeping the ghosts of 2008 very much alive in the F1 world.