Kimi Raikkonen is refusing to give up on his dream of back-to-back Formula One world titles.
The Ferrari star saw his hopes of a fourth successive Belgian Grand Prix victory end with a smash into a wall at the Spa circuit on the penultimate lap.
Instead, Raikkonen's winless streak now stretches to nine races to leave him trailing championship leader Lewis Hamilton by 19 points.
However, it could have been far worse for Raikkonen as Hamilton was denied the victory by stewards, who handed him a 25-second drive-through penalty two hours after the race had finished.
They claimed Hamilton had gained an advantage in cutting the final chicane at the end of lap 42 of the 44-lap clash, so passing Raikkonen, even though he swiftly handed the lead back to the Finn.
A dicey penultimate lap in wet conditions saw the lead change hands three more times before Raikkonen eventually spun into a wall.
"I came here to win and I came close," said Raikkonen.
"In the final laps the track conditions were very critical."
"Unfortunately I ran wide, and when I tried to get back on track, I spun and ended up in the wall, which was a shame."
"The arrival of the rain did not help. In such conditions, if you are in front you have to be more cautious as you don't know how much grip you'll find in each braking area.
"That's how Hamilton managed to close on me, and then you all saw what happened."
After suffering a blown engine in the European Grand Prix in Valencia a fortnight ago, Raikkonen added: "It's the second race in a row I've failed to score points."
"Clearly the championship situation is what it is, but I'm not the sort to give up that easily."
Following the stewards' verdict, Massa was not allowed to comment on a fortuitous win as he had been third best throughout.
His only remark was the race was 'very strange' as Ferrari shied away from taking any kind of delight in the Brazilian's 10th win of his career, and his fifth of the season.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali simply commented: "I have often said the race is not over until the official results are published, and that was the case."
"As usual, Ferrari will not comment on the stewards' decision."
"All I will say is after the race we were called to the stewards and we explained our position."
"Then the stewards listened to what McLaren and Hamilton had to say and then they made their decision."
Explaining his first impression of the incident, Domenicali added: "Personally, I think it was a little bit extreme."
"It's normal that when you attack you are racing, but the problem is the advantage that may be gained by doing a manoeuvre, and this is the key point."
"What is the advantage you are taking in such conditions that it can be used in the second situation (when Hamilton passed) at the first corner."
"In my view that is the most important thing. But this is racing."
Turning his attention to Raikkonen and next week's race on home soil, Domenicali said: "We are very disappointed for Kimi."
"He drove a great race and deserved the win, especially at this rather difficult time."
"But the result is obviously very important for our championship hopes."
"Now we must maintain maximum concentration and prepare as well as possible for the forthcoming races, starting at Monza."
"We will also need their support at such a delicate point in the season."