Massa keeps his fingers crossed for Verstappen: "I hope so"

The 2008 vice-world champion is not surprised if Verstappen manages to maintain his margin and crown himself as Formula 1 world champion. "I hope so. It would be good for the sport if someone else won the championship for a change. Max would also deserve it because he is doing a fantastic job. He's doing great in the races and like I said before, he doesn't make mistakes", he said to Motorsport.com.

Don't discount Hamilton

There is, however, a formidable rival. Hamilton knows all the tricks of the trade and will not give in easily. "Lewis knows what to do though. He has everything under control in the right way," said Massa, who argues that there is a chance that the winner will not be known until the final weekend of the year in Abu Dhabi. "And maybe even only in the last corner, as was the case with me in 2008."

Massa and Ferrari thought they were world champions for a short time in 2008 until Hamilton overtook Timo Glock four corners before the finish. It meant the first world title for the British driver, while Massa's camp wandered off disappointed.