One Ferrari driver's loss proved to be another's gain in the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.
Brazilian readily admits good fortune played part in win
One Ferrari driver's loss proved to be another's gain in the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.
World Champion Kimi Raikkonen was comfortably leading the race when his exhaust fractured at the midway point.
Team-mate Felipe Massa cashed in on his misfortune and went on to lead home a Ferrari one-two.
The Brazilian, who now leads the World Championship with 48 points, later readily admitted his own good fortune.
"It was fantastic. I didn't expect that," he said after the race.
"Sometimes we need a little bit of luck. Today we had an element of luck because of his exhaust. I think we are in the right direction. The team did a fantastic job."
The victory, his third of the season, propelled Massa to the top of the World Championship with a two-point lead over BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica.
Raikkonen now lies five points behind in third place, with Lewis Hamilton a further five points behind after failing to score in France.
Despite Ferrari appearing the class of the field at Magny-Cours, Massa also stressed the need for them to keep their current form over the coming races.
"We are still in the middle of the Championship and we have a lot of races to go. We have to keep scoring points even if it is not possible to win," he added.
