Lewis Hamilton experienced a mixture of emotions in the wake of a rollercoaster ride of a Hungarian Grand Prix.
It was a race Hamilton began with a four-point lead in the drivers' standings, and after dominating practice and qualifying he appeared poised to extend that considerably.
But at the start Hamilton was superbly out-manoeuvred by Ferrari's Felipe Massa into turn one at the Hungaroring and as the Brazilian then controlled the race, his lead was set to be cut to two points.
On lap 41, the 23-year-old was staring at the prospect of trailing Massa by three points when he sustained a sidewall puncture to the left-front tyre, dropping him from second to sixth.
But then, just three laps from home, there was one final twist when the engine on Massa's Ferrari blew, robbing him of a victory that instead went to Heikki Kovalainen.
In the end, Hamilton's championship lead was improved to five points with seven races remaining.
"It was not as bad as it could have been, and not as good either," said Hamilton after a strange turn of events.
"I think I drove well. I didn't make any mistakes, it's just that I had a puncture.
"I brought the car home as safe as possible, scored as many points as I could, so there's not much more you can ask for.
"It's just unfortunate I was the one to get a puncture, and it was a case of 'Oh no, not again'.
"I had it three times last year, or whatever, and that's what lost me the championship.
"It can be very, very costly, but the fact Kimi didn't win, Heikki did and (Timo) Glock was second means I'm quite happy because they have taken points off everyone else.
"Above all it's been a great day for Heikki. I know what it feels like to get your first grand prix win. It's a very special day for him."
Of great surprise to many observers was Massa's power off the line in contrast to the lack of it Ferrari suffered with a fortnight ago at the German Grand Prix.
Hamilton was far from caught unawares, but vowed there will be no repeat this season of what unfolded at turn one.
"I had one of my best ever starts, but Felipe had an even better one," Hamilton explained.
"I covered my ground on the inside. He locked up and then turned, so I thought we were going to touch, so I slowed down even more.
"He pulled it off, and I lost a place - and it won't happen again.
"Ferrari were strong, although if we had been out in front then it perhaps would have been a little different.
"But they showed some really strong pace, which we knew they had. It's just you guys (the media) seem to think there is a huge difference.
"When I was then told about what happened to Massa, I didn't think much of it other than it was an extra place for me, which is good.
"My lead is bigger now, and you would never have thought that with all that has gone on this year."
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