via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton before the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton before the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa have been among the most gifted drivers that F1 has got in the 21st century. While Massa is widely regarded as a Ferrari legend, Lewis Hamilton is among the greatest of all time. Had he been the winner at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he would’ve been him the greatest ever, at least statistically.
With the most number of pole positions and win under his belt, the Briton has certainly left his mark on history. Meanwhile, Massa, the brilliant Brazilian was a force to reckon with in the sport over much of the first decade of the century.
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The phenomenal battle between the two in 2008 is regarded as one of the best championship battles. Lewis edged past Felipe by just a point to clinch his first-ever championship. The Briton picked up five wins to the Brazilian’s six. Hamilton picked up 98 points as compared to Massa’s 97 to take his first-ever F1 world title.
FELIPE MASSA'S 2008 #F1 season
-6 wins (more than Hamilton's 5 victories)
-6 poles
-10 podiums
-Loses WDC by just 1 pt
-A gracious loser in a Hollywood finale at Brazil
-Helps Ferrari win 16th constructors' title#NearMisses 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/vUDKRufdlR— Motorsports in the 2000s & 1990s (@CrystalRacing) April 14, 2022
What happened in the 2011 Monaco GP between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa?
There was a constant battle between the two. One such incident was in the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix. The Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco started with Sebastian Vettel on the pole. Lewis qualified in P9 while Massa in P6. As the race started, Vettel, Button, and Alonso pushed ahead.
On lap 32, the main incident occurred that brought out the first safety car of the race. Mark Webber, Felipe Massa, and Lewis Hamilton were all battling out for P4. In this instance, Webber made it past the hairpin before Hamilton and Massa collided.
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Lewis Hamilton took victory in China #OnThisDay in 2011, having executed a magnificent three-stop strategy to beat competitor and World Drivers' Championship leader Sebastian Vettel. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZKvhoh5rLb
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 17, 2022
Felipe turned in to block incoming Lewis and that left the Briton with no space. Hence, Hamilton pushed Massa wide which resulted in the Brazilian hitting the Red Bull of Webber and losing his front wing. As they moved on from this, Hamilton sped past Massa while Massa retired from the race as he could not continue.
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The McLaren driver finished the race in P6 while Massa had the DNF. Hamilton went on to finish the season in P5 while Massa ended his season in P6. The Brazilian retired in 2017 with Williams, while Hamilton continued to race with Mercedes and raked up seven World titles so far and still going strong.
