Having compared favourably to Michael Schumacher and seen off Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa hoped he could contain his latest legendary team-mate when Fernando Alonso arrived at Ferrari for 2010.
But instead the blitzed Brazilian found himself crushed into a number two role and openly criticised by a team that had previously adored him.
He still secured a two-year contract extension, so starts 2011 determined to prove that last year was a blip and he is perfectly capable of matching – and beating – and Alonso, as he tries to regain the great momentum his career had prior to his terrible 2009 head injuries.
F1 career log
Massa had been on his current team’s radar long before he eventually joined Ferrari as a race driver.
It was with Ferrari-powered Sauber that the then 20-year-old made his F1 bow in 2002.
A turbulent rookie year followed, as he struggled to get close to team-mate Nick Heidfeld and his wayward driving style drew widespread criticism.
According to Jacques Villeneuve, the young charger “couldn’t even drive in a straight line”.
His technique needed refining and after being dropped by Sauber he was put through a year at Ferrari finishing school as its test driver.
He returned to Hinwil in 2004 a far more rounded driver and fared well alongside Giancarlo Fisichella, before making new team-mate Villeneuve eat his words a year later.
The clear improvement prompted Ferrari to call him up in 2006 to replace Rubens Barrichello alongside Schumacher.
Massa got off to a shaky start, but as the F2007 improved, so did Felipe, and he quickly became a podium regular and a very able wingman for Schumacher.
He also proved he could lead the team’s challenge when the great German stumbled, consummately taking a first pole and victory all in the same weekend in Turkey.
He then brilliantly rounded off his season with an assured lights-to-flag victory on home turf in Brazil.
The Brazilian gained equal number one status with Raikkonen when Schumacher retired in 2007, but it was the new arrival who grabbed the title.
Massa was initially part of the four-way championship fight with his team-mate and the McLarens, before poor luck and a little inconsistency saw him drop out of contention.
However Massa’s improvement curve hadn’t stopped yet, and he came back even stronger in 2008 – driving with more finesse and consistency than before, but without losing any of his courage, and duly emerged as Lewis Hamilton’s main title rival.
For 30 seconds at the very end of the season it looked like the Ferrari star had done enough to become Brazil’s first world champion since Ayrton Senna, but then Hamilton’s eleventh hour move allowed the Briton to snatch the championship away.
Massa had proved his title credentials though, and his dignity and good grace in defeat further enhanced his burgeoning reputation.
He continued to earn respect the following year, wrestling more from the troubled 2009 Ferrari chassis than team-mate Raikkonen could, until his season was abruptly cut short when a detached spring from Barrichello’s car struck Massa’s helmet in Hungaroring qualifying, leaving him with a fractured skull.
By the time he returned to full fitness it was 2010 and Alonso was installed as his team-mate.
Massa out-qualified Alonso for the opening round, but the Spaniard’s outside-line pass on Massa at the first corner showed who would be boss, and Massa’s year became increasingly anonymous as he struggled with the 2010 tyres.
Although he came good and led in Germany, by then his title hopes were so remote he had to move aside for Alonso to boost Ferrari’s championship bid, so ended the year win-less.
Formative years
Massa moved up from the Brazilian karting ranks to contest the Italian and Eurocup Formula Renault series in 2000 – and immediate success followed as he won both championships first time out.
He then dominated the second-string 2001 Formula 3000 Euroseries, winning six times in eight races, attracting the attention of Ferrari and earning an F1 seat at Sauber.
Strengths: Was a match for the fastest drivers on the grid when at his best, and proved the doubters he could fight for a title.
Weaknesses: The errors and inconsistency which dogged his youth haven’t totally gone away, and he was very firmly put in a number two role by Alonso’s speed and dominance in the garage last year.
Most likely to: Pre-2010, defy his critics with a glorious win. Last year, struggle in qualifying then finish somewhere near fifth.
Career highlight: Coming so close to the 2008 title and showing great dignity in defeat.
Lowest ebb: The Hungary 2009 crash that nearly cost him his life and could have ended his career even after his survival was ensured.
Goals for 2011: Beat Alonso.