And, of course, he recalled those 30 or so seconds in Brazil in 2008 in which
he was briefly world champion. “I’ve had some highs and some lows, some
great times, some difficult times as well,” reflected the 32-year-old, who
is still searching for a seat for next year. “But what I can say is that I
am happy. I have zero frustration.”
If that is true, Massa must be an even nicer person than he is given credit
for. No one would begrudge the Brazilian a pang of regret over the way 2008
panned out. It was not just the brutal manner in which Lewis
Hamilton snatched the fifth place he needed to take the title, even
as the Massa clan were celebrating wildly in the Ferrari garage, but the
subsequent revelations of the shenanigans that occurred in the Singapore
Grand Prix.
“That was where we lost the championship – not Brazil,” nodded Massa of the
scandal that eventually became known as ‘Crashgate’ after it emerged that
Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jnr had intentionally crashed to help then team-mate
Alonso win the race. Massa was leading comfortably at the time but
eventually finished the race in seventh place.
“It was unacceptable,” he added. “It is like in football when you have a match
where they pay the referee. But I will never cry for what has happened. I’ve
had an incredible career that I never believed I was going to have and I am
looking forward to more great results and to fight still for victories and
for the championship.”
Massa’s generosity of spirit clearly knows no bounds. One of the nicest, most
popular drivers on the grid, he has at times, some would argue, been too
generous.
The Brazilian admitted he had been deeply hurt by the criticism he received
back in Brazil after moving over for Alonso in Hockenheim in 2010. But
again, he said he had no regrets, having been “professional” at all times.
And how does he think history will remember him? As Formula
One’s only 30-second champion perhaps? “I would prefer to be world
champion forever, not just for 30 seconds,” he laughed. “Maybe for the most
incredible finale to a race ever. But I am sure people will remember me.”