For the first time in living memory, the Formula One world championship has had four changes of leadership in the last four races. And as the teams roll out at Silverstone on Saturday afternoon for qualifying for the British Grand Prix, the name at the top of the table is the least likely of the quartet – Felipe Massa, the underrated Brazilian.

 It is the first time in his career that Massa, 27, has been world championship leader, and the first time he has ever truly been a contender. Last season he got off to a poor start and never caught up. This year he again failed to score in the opening races, but since then has come on strong, averaging seven points a race in his Ferrari and taking three wins backed up by a string of podium places.