Key facts about 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
| Event | Lewis Hamilton secures the 2008 Formula One Drivers' Championship |
|---|---|
| Date | November 2, 2008 |
| Location | Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Key Figure | Lewis Hamilton |
| Source Detail | Hamilton passed Timo Glock on the final lap to finish fifth |
| Confirmed Outcome | Hamilton secured the Drivers' Championship by one point |
The Contest and the Stakes
Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden Formula One Drivers' Championship Title by one point ahead of Felipe Massa at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This maneuver provided the specific points needed to clinch the championship. The event took place on 2 November 2008 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil. It served as the eighteenth and final race of the 2008 Formula One World Championship. The outcome hinged on a narrow margin that defined the season's conclusion.
The race itself was a 71-lap contest held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa won the event from pole position, marking the last of his eleven Grand Prix victories. Fernando Alonso finished second in a Renault, while Massa's teammate Kimi Räikkönen took third place. Hamilton's fifth-place finish was the critical result for the championship standings. The track conditions played a role in the race dynamics, with rain falling minutes before the start. This weather delay impacted the initial phases of the competition. The final positions determined the ultimate distribution of points for the drivers' title.
How the Crowd Saw It
As the track dried, Massa established a lead of several seconds over the field. More rain late in the race made the last few laps treacherous for the drivers. Despite these challenging conditions, Massa was unable to be prevented from winning the Grand Prix. The weather created a distinct narrative arc for the race, shifting from a dry start to a wet finish. The drivers had to adapt their strategies to the changing surface. The final laps were particularly difficult, testing the skill of the competitors.
This specific overtake occurred in the closing moments of the event. The move secured the points needed for Hamilton to take the Drivers' Championship. Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso finished in fourth place. The final classification reflected the intense competition throughout the 71 laps. The result was a definitive end to the championship battle between Hamilton and Massa.
Records, Reactions, and Consequences
The championship battle concluded with Hamilton receiving official congratulations from Queen Elizabeth II and British prime minister Gordon Brown. These high-profile acknowledgments highlighted the significance of his maiden title victory. The McLaren driver also drew praise from within the Formula One community itself. Former champions Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher both offered their commendations for the performance. This recognition underscored the weight of the achievement in the eyes of the sport's most decorated figures. The response from both political and sporting leaders marked a distinct moment of celebration for the new champion.
On the team front, the race results delivered a crucial advantage to Ferrari. Felipe Massa's win combined with Kimi Räikkönen's third-place finish to secure the Constructors' Championship for the Italian manufacturer. This dual success capped a competitive season for the team. The points accumulated by both drivers ensured that Ferrari claimed the team title alongside Hamilton's individual drivers' crown. The outcome solidified Ferrari's position at the top of the 2008 Formula One World Championship standings. This achievement represented a significant milestone for the organization in that year's competition.
The Standard It Set
David Coulthard's 246th and final Formula One race start concluded at Interlagos. The 13-time Grand Prix winner's retirement gave the championship-deciding event a second layer of significance.
Ultimately, the race at Interlagos defined the 2008 season's conclusion. Hamilton's narrow one-point margin over Massa determined the Drivers' Championship. The specific sequence of events, from the rain-delayed start to the final lap overtake, created a definitive outcome. This single event encapsulated the tension and resolution of the entire championship campaign. The final classification provided a clear and unambiguous answer to the season's central question.
Evidence Map: How We Checked the Central Claim
What the sources verify and how they were used
This comparison separates the event page selected for the account from the independently verified page used to corroborate it.
Central claim checked: Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden Formula One Drivers' Championship Title by one point ahead of Felipe Massa at the Brazilian Grand Prix, after a pass for fifth place against the Toyota of Timo Glock on the final lap of the race.
| Direct source | Verification role | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix · Wikipedia Accessed 2026-11-01 | Selected event record | Supports the central claim shown above. |
| The Essential Stories: Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa and one lap at Interlagos · tntsports.co.uk Accessed 2026-11-01 | Independent corroboration | Supports the central claim shown above. |
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What was 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix?
The recorded event date is November 2, 2008.
Key figures included Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen.