The Brazilian driver claimed victory at his home track of Interlagos four months ago to seemingly claim the prestigious title. But Lewis Hamilton instead went on to overtake Timo Glock's Toyota on the last corner of the final lap to move into fifth place and secure the points needed to win his first championship, leaving a distraught Massa in tears.

Despite the agonizing defeat the affable Massa remains philosophical about the whole situation. "I went out and got p****d - in the circumstances what else are you going to do," he told the Guardian when asked about dealing with the tumult.

"I was okay by the next day though. For sure I didn't sleep that first night but in a strange way it was a positive thing for my personal life.  "You learn a lot in this kind of situation. I really believe that if you deserve something then one day you will get it.

"Lewis got what he was supposed to get - maybe because of what happened in 2007 [when Hamilton lost that year's championship in the very last race, again in Brazil, by a single point].  "Maybe he was in credit with the good luck in 2008. Maybe this season the good luck will finally come to me."

Hoping The new season gets under way in Melbourne three weeks on Sunday and the 27-year-old, taking charge of the new Ferrari F60, knows he needs to make a good start on the circuit where he has struggled in recent years.

"It's strange because I always have problems in Australia," he added. "Last year - neither Ferrari finished the race, and the year before that I have some engine problems in qualifying and I started at the back.  "I had a good race and I finished sixth but that showed - even when I score points in Australia I have problems."