British fans will hope the scenario I'm about to outline does not come to fruition. But it could happ
en, so here it is: if our own home-grown hero Lewis Hamilton fails to pull off the 2008 F1 world championship title, Felipe Massa may just achieve something which none of the previous three Brazilian world champions ever did. Namely, to clinch his title crown in front of his home crowd in Brazil.
Emerson Fittipaldi (World champion in 1972 and 1974), Nelson Piquet (1981, 1983 and 1987) and Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990 and 1991) may all have won Brazilian Grands Prix, but since that race has only been last on the calendar since 2004 this set of opportunistic circumstances never presented itself to the other three.
But for Massa, undoubtedly the most improved F1 competitor over the past two seasons, there could be a glory day awaiting him at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos, Sao Paulo on November 2.
Massa's recent drives in Hungary a
nd Valencia have been simply amazing. I was really sceptical about Felipe's talent level, but he's clearly got the speed and consistency necessary to be a serious contender.
Over the past four races he has also looked psychologically much stronger than his rather troubled team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, although I have to say I admire the resolve and determination with which Ferrari sporting director, Stefano Domenicali, is supporting the Finn.
Of course, with the world championship points scoring system only currently offering a 2 point increment between first and second places, the likelihood of the championship contest being settled before we get to the Interlagos finale is remote.
For the moment, however, it is all eyes on Spa-Francorchamps for this coming Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, where Hamilton will be out to score his fifth win of the season.
And Felipe Massa too!