Brazilian Nelson Piquet stunned the critics questioning his Formula One future by leading Sunday's German Grand Prix before finishing an astonishing second.
There had been nothing to suggest the Renault rookie could possibly end up on the podium, ahead of both Ferraris and his own double world champion team-mate Fernando Alonso, when he qualified in 17th place.
Instead, the 22-year-old, whose father and namesake was a triple world champion, had looked like handing more ammunition to those who feared he could be out of his depth after only one points-finish from nine races.
Starting on a one-stop strategy, the race fell into the Brazilian's lap when the safety car came out just after the halfway point with the Renault fuelled to the finish.
He led for six laps before being passed by McLaren's race winner Lewis Hamilton on the 60th of 67.
"I don't even know where to start," Piquet told reporters when asked for his reaction.
"I couldn't get a good lap (in qualifying) and started near the back. I thought that had finished my weekend but obviously with these safety car rules you can get quite lucky.
"If we had gone for an aggressive short first stint to try to overtake in the beginning, I wouldn't have arrived here. Everything worked out great as well. I got lucky and just maintained my pace in the end and finished here."
So focused was Piquet on keeping the car on the track and maintaining his pace that he did not even realise he was on the last lap until Hamilton began to ease off.
Team boss Flavio Briatore commended him for an 'amazing race' and for his ability to remain strong under enormous pressure.
But the Brazilian, whose normal role is to play second fiddle to Alonso, doubted the success would change much for him.
"It's still difficult for me," he said. "I'm not saying that in Hungary, the next race, you should expect me on the podium. I don't think it would be like that.
"We're getting there slowly, slowly and having some difficulties sometimes. Qualifying, with the tyres, I'm not getting used to them very easily.
"Getting a podium is great, it helps the confidence, good for the team, to push them up a bit but we still need to improve a lot.
"I certainly need to improve, the car still needs to improve."
With Massa finishing third, there were two Brazilians on the podium for the first time since the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix when the late triple champion Ayrton Senna won with Piquet senior third.
It also reunited McLaren's race winner and championship leader Hamilton with the man he battled with two years ago to win the GP2 feeder series.
"I must say congratulations to Nelson, he's done a great job," said Hamilton.
"It's good to see him up here. I've been racing with him for a few years now in the lower categories and I know he's been having a tough season."