So it was, that 13 laps later Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line, the race leader and new world champion. Rafael Alonso finished third and Lewis Hamilton seventh. Felipe Massa was second. The Championship positions were Raikkonen, Hamilton and Alonso as one, two, and three.

In a season that has seen Formula One marred by the Ferrari – McLaren ‘spying’ scandal it would perhaps have been the dream finish for Lewis Hamilton to have lifted the world championship with a winning drive. On a weekend when England’s rugby 15 was denied by a disciplined and well organised Springboks it would have assuaged many people’s expectations. But then that is perhaps what we are dealing with here; the high expectations. The England rugby team reached the World Cup final by a late and spirited surge in a tournament of which the opening stages had seen them very much placed outside the favourites. That they did so says much of their determination and courage. Lewis Hamilton started the season as a rookie. I think many last March would have thought one Grand Prix win and a demonstrable ability to hold his own at the top would have been considered a more than satisfactory ending to the season. That he came so close to winning the World Championship says much of his abilities. It says bucketfuls about his potential.

It would be unfair to say he fell at the last hurdle. It would also be unfair to say he ‘bottled it’ when the pressure was on. He is competing at the highest level and against the best of drivers. Winning a world championship is about maturity and experience as well as skill and daring. It requires the cream of engineering skill. It also requires that small but invaluable element of luck. It was not to be for Lewis Hamilton on Sunday. It surely ‘will be’ in seasons to come.

Lewis Hamilton has whetted our appetite. He lost a race yesterday but in no way dented his standing as serious contender. Congratulations are in order for Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari. No-one should take from Kimi’s achievement, especially after stepping into the difficult position vacated by Michael Schumacher. He drove a canny and near perfect race on Sunday.

For fans of British motor sport the season may not have ended perfectly but it has ended well. We should not so much console ourselves on what might have been but remind ourselves on what is surely to come.