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Ferrari not dwelling on 2008 problems

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali says the Italian squad will not dwell on the misfortunes of the season after Felipe Massa lost the championship by a single point

The Brazilian won more races than any other driver this season - six - but still came short, with McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton securing the crown.

Massa lost several points through no fault of his own this year, most notably in Hungary and Singapore, where a mechanical failure and a problem with a pitstop cost him potential wins.

Despite those problems, Domenicali said the team were proud of their achievements and insisted they were not thinking of 'what if'.

"It was an incredible end to the season and once again I think we have to be proud of what we have done," Domenicali told reporters after his team clinched the constructors' championship.

"There is no reason for us to look back and say, what if, what if. With what ifs you can build the world.

"The only thing I can say is that we are extremely happy with the achievement we have done today on the constructors' championship.

"In eight of the last 10 years we were champions. It is something only Ferrari did so I am very proud of the team, and all of the guys - here and those at home. For us it is a great achievement.

"I am very happy also for Felipe. He did an incredible season as no one in the beginning could have said something like that - and I was just saying that to your Italian colleagues. This year Felipe did two races that will stay in the history of his growing career.

"One was Hungary, where unfortunately we had this problem but he was really fantastic. And there was today. Great maturity and I am very proud to have Felipe in our team, because that is the way that we should look ahead for our future.

"You know, we are still very hot after the end of racing, but you can be sure that after a couple of days we will be fully committed for next season. For Felipe to lose the championship by one point, as it was last time but the other way around, I know it can hurt.

"I saw in him a great serenity inside because he did the maximum. That was really a great day today."

Domenicali also praised Massa and said the Brazilian will be stronger after this season.

"I think that Felipe has matured a lot," he said. "He is really a great driver. Now he did a lot of pole position, so on the single lap he is already on the top.

"And he has grown significantly on the performance lap by lap, and the consistency of that. And also today in the mixed conditions, with the pressure where you don't know where you are going then it shows a lot.

"So I think within these kind of races, you can see how it will go ahead. From this victory lost you can be strong inside and that will be the case for him."

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