…Felipe Massa’s double pass on Heikki Kovalainen and Rubens Barrichello.
Massa’s move came out on top, narrowly beating efforts from Nick Heidfeld and Lewis Hamilton. Here’s the video of the pass from the Canadian Grand Prix.
What was so great about Massa’s pass?
With key title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen out of the running Massa was looking at an open goal in terms of scoring points. The problem was he was stuck in the midfield after a problem at his first pit stop.
He needed to make up places quickly and pass not just the slower cars like Rubens Barrichello’s Honda, but also the likes of Heikki Kovalainen’s McLaren.
Massa got a rare chance to do both and once, and he seized it. Kovalainen passed Barrichello but ran wide and both were held up. Massa had the briefest of opportunities but he slotted his F2008 past neatly to take them both.
It wasn’t enormously different to Heidfeld’s pass on Kovalainen and Kimi Raikkonen, which took second place in the voting, but Heidfeld had the advantage of being on better tyres for the conditions.
Lewis Hamilton’s pass on Raikkonen at Belgium ranked third, a reminder that not only did many people consider it a legitimate pass, but a very good one at that.
Here’s the results in full:
todd
15th December 2008, 7:07
no votes for massa from p3 to p1 in Hungary?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th December 2008, 10:11
Todd – There was a debate over whether that was a good pass or a good start – see here.
Dougie
15th December 2008, 10:28
Keith, while you’re here I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for a fantastic blog, and for keeping us very entertained throughout the off season.
I wish both you and yours a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th December 2008, 10:46
Thanks Dougie :-)
Stealthman
15th December 2008, 11:01
Truly epic pass. Merry Christmas from me too. :)
Manuel F
15th December 2008, 11:10
Keith, this has definitely been one of the best debates of the season, thank you. I’d like to know who is the driver with the highest ratio between the number of times he did a successful overtaking monoeuvers last season and the times he was overtaken by another driver. Could be Hamilton? I estimate that Hamilton did more than 20 overtakes, but only Raikkonen (2nd lap at Spa, after Lewis spun) and Vettel (Brazil) overtoke him.
Rob
15th December 2008, 15:31
Also worth mentioning that the track surface was breaking up at the hairpin which makes the pass even more daring, IMO.
ukk
15th December 2008, 16:15
was a great pass, yes! although I’m no Massa fan I must admit he has some sparks once in a while!
the limit
15th December 2008, 16:22
It was a great move, I can remember Jacques Villeneuve trying a move there and failing, taking another car with him. That move really summed up Felipe Massa’s year, a really impressive improvement and by far his best yet.
Merry Christmas to all you fanatics worldwide. x.
sumedh
16th December 2008, 7:09
A deserved winner
AJ
16th December 2008, 20:57
That was a legitimate overtake for the win. The fact Hamilton’s alleged “overtake” on raikkonen at spa was on the short list is laughable.
And the fact it got 24% of the votes is ridiculous, the amount of hamilton nuthuggers is just ridiculous. Nothing against lewis, its just the fact that cutting part of the track doesn’t constitute as an overtake.
Anyway its a shame he didn’t win sports personality of the year, at least Addlington didn’t win. I Personally think Hamilton should have won because not only did he achieve a feat recorded in the history books, but the crap and pressure he has been under the whole season was off the scale.
Anyway enjoy your christmas guys and bring on the new year and the next season!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th December 2008, 22:01
AJ – I think it’s the bit after when Hamilton lets Raikkonen past that people were voting for.
AJ
17th December 2008, 17:56
Hi keith I realise that, it’s just the illegal bit of chicane cutting that lead up to it, I think the best way to put across what I’m saying is that the overtake is tainted. That’s all.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
17th December 2008, 21:01
AJ – I understand completely, but a lot of people don’t think it is ‘tainted’. He gave the position back. But we’re done with that argument, I’m sure everyone has made their minds up about it now.