With Felipe Massa mounting another victorious comeback after a run of errors, BMW and Robert Kubica taking another step closer to victory, and McLaren stumbling in dramatic fashion, the Bahrain Grand Prix provided just enough story lines to distract from the furore over the FIA president's alleged Saturnalian pursuits.
While the paddock talked of little but scandal, Massa took charge of proceedings early in Friday practice and never really relinquished his grip on the race weekend. Just as he had a year ago, the Brazilian shook off the doubts that had crept in after his poor start to the year and proved that when on form he is capable of utterly dominating a Grand Prix and outshining his world champion teammate.
The winner admitted that he desperately needed this result after his scruffy start to 2008, and that thoughts of his Sepang spin had haunted him for much of the distance.