On the Edge
Lewis Hamilton clinched his first world championship in last weekend's edge-of-the-seat season finale at Interlagos, while a dominant victory still wasn't enough for Felipe Massa. But, regardless of the result, both drivers highlighted the fruits of their development on the day that really mattered
In the 1990 Tom Cruise movie Days of Thunder, Robert Duvall's character Harry Hogge quips about being on the edge of out of control. It's pure Hollywood, but it's also the most apt description for the 95 minutes of pressure, adrenaline, anxiety, dismay and - finally - elation that clinched Lewis Hamilton's first world drivers' championship title at Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
In the two weeks following China, the Brazilian race had been billed as a mouthwatering grand finale to a thrillingly close season. In terms of exciting competition, that is often the kiss of death for a major sporting event. Football World Cup finals, in particular, invariably promise enterprising and attacking football from the two best teams in the world - only to settle into the familiar pattern of dour defence, cautious control and risk-free play when the action begins.
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