Massa happy with 2008 season despite losing title

| Thu, 01/01/2009 - 08:07

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa is happy with his performance during the 2008 Formula 1 season and has no regrets over losing the title in the last corner of the last race.

''You don't win a world title at the last corner of the last race of the season. You win it during the season itself,'' the Brazilian driver said in an interview published by the Turin daily La Stampa.

''I felt bad for a few hours, maybe even a day, but then I got over it and moved on. I'm not the type of person who looks back. What happened was meant to happen, that's all,'' Massa said.

The Ferrari driver won the season's last race, at his home town of Sao Paolo, and was world champion for a handful of seconds from when he crossed the finish line until McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton in the last corner passed the Toyota of Timo Glock to clinch fifth place and the drivers' title by one point.

''I'll never forget the applause I received from the public in Sao Paolo. I lost in the best possible way, after a fantastic season in which I matured and gained more experience,'' Massa told La Stampa.

In regard to speculation he may be replaced by Renault's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Massa said ''In 2006 they said (MotoGp Champion) Valentino Rossi would take my place, then in 2007 everyone was sure I'd get the boot, and the same at the start of 2008. I guess I'm getting used to it because it doesn't bother me''.

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