HAMILTON IS CHAMP // SHOULD WE CALL FOUL?

Who would have ever thought, the 2008 Formula One World Championship would be decided on the last corner, of the last lap of the final race?! Massa did all that he could to retain any hope of winning the title, taking the pole during qualifying, maintaining a solid lead nearly the entire race, proper fuel and tire strategies, and even crossing the finish line first. But it was to be Hamilton's lucky day. Having qualified fourth, behind Massa, Trulli and Raikkonen, the title hope for Hamilton rode solely on his ability to place no further back than fifth. At the half way point, Massa had taken a commanding lead, with Hamilton sitting in the do-or-die P5.

As the skies began to darken and the rain began to fall, the front runners pitted, swapping their slicks for rain intermediates. Massa and Hamilton left pit lane how they came in, first and fifth. With five laps remaining, Vettel, who was riding closely behind Hamilton in sixth, pushed hard and took the fifth position from the McLaren driver, almost certainly ending any title hopes for Hamilton. On the final lap, as Massa crossed the finish line in first, the Ferrari pits began celebrating yet another F1 championship. But it was to be premature.

On the final corner, of the last lap, the Toyota of Timo Glock, who had opted to remain on slicks and not to change to intermediates, slowed, allowing both Vettel and Hamilton to pass. This put Hamilton back in his do-or-die fifth position, and moments later, as he crossed the finish line, the faces of the Ferrari crew went from elated to astounded.

Massa celebrated his sixth win this season (his 11th career and second consecutive at Brazil), with the Renault of Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen filling the second and third place slots. The win for Ferrari, combined with Raikkonen's third place finish, secured the Italian automaker their second consecutive Constructor's Championship.

Lewis Hamilton, by good luck or great driving, is the 2008 Formula One World Champion. But we can't help but feel a little uneasy... Did Glock throw the race? Why did he slow in that final corner? With limited replay and nearly no remarks made by the commentators, we were left wondering. Should we call foul? Will anyone? Check out the final laps in the video above and give us your thoughts...

Stay with ColdTrackDays, as we will have a well sorted, end of season wrap up for our readers in the days to come // 11.02.2008