F1 Archives: Kubica and Massa Battle it out in Extreme Rain

Usually, the Japanese Grand Prix is held at the Suzuka Circuit. However, from 2007 till 2008, the race was held at the Fuji Speedway. To say that the race was wet, would be an understatement. Formula One was returning to the circuit for the first time since 1977. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton, from Heikki Kovalainen and Kimi Raikkonen respectively. However, during the race, there was a titanic battle raging between Raikkonen’s teammate Felipe Massa, and BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica.

With the amount of spray being kicked up, visibility was a nightmare. Massa was trying to pass Kubica for position and there was a lot of pushing and shoving. Both drivers even ended up running wide on several occasions.

First, it was Kubica who went off track after being forced off by Massa while battling for 6th place. Then it was Massa’s turn to run off track and Kubica took over in front of the Brazilian. Massa then answered back by making the Polish driver go wide again and retook the position.

Kubica then got his revenge and forced off Massa again, but the Brazilian managed to keep the position this time around. Finally in the end, Massa finished in 6th ahead of the BMW Sauber driver. The Pole got into that position in the first place because he had to serve a drive-through penalty for a collision.