The new 2008 Formula 1 season has not yet started and already it is making the news but unfortunately for the wrong reasons.
The recent testing in Spain has seen a return to racism in sport, with some 'fans' directing abuse towards Lewis Hamilton. This has prompted the FIA to launch a 'Racing Against Racism' Campaign at the Spanish Grand Prix later this year.
The controversy over McLaren's possession of Ferrari secrets refuses to go away. Although the FIA has tried to draw a line under the incident, Ferrari have vowed to continue legal proceedings. Senior members of the McLaren team were due to answer further questions at an Italian Magistrate's at the end of February, but this has now been put back.
So, hoping that these problems can be resolved and that this year the attention can be focused on what happens on the track not off it, what can we look forward to in the new F1 season?
This year sees many changes. As usual there are new drivers, new teams and new race venues. This year these include Singapore, which will be F1's first ever night race.
Rules
This year there are in big changes the technical regulations with more emphasis on driver ability and a move away from gadgets such as traction control. Engines must last 2 races again as last season, with drivers being able to have 1 free engine change without penalty during the season. Gear boxes must now last 4 races with a 5 place penalty on the grid for an unscheduled change.
In an attempt to make the sport appear greener, new rules have been introduced which mean that a percentage of all fuel must be biofuel.
All this adds an element of the unknown to the season and may throw up a few surprises.
Teams
The majority of the teams are the same as last season. Ferrari are hoping to retain there title from last season, although McLaren's disqualification from the title certainly helped.
Both Ferrari and McLaren have been exchanging blows in pre season testing and you would have to be a braver man (or woman) than me to bet against them coming first and second in this years title race, other teams have showed promise though.
The new team this year is Force India. This team has changed hands and names a lot over the past through years. Last year it was the Spyker team owned by a Dutch consortium. Before this, it was Midland F1 and before that the long standing Jordan team. Hopefully the team's new owner Michiel Mol can add some much needed stability.
Drivers
The winning Ferrari line up is unchanged this year, but there are changes to the McLaren drivers. After last year's unfortunate business between Fernando Alonso and the McLaren team, they have parted company and Alonso has returned to his previous team Renault. This means that Heikki Kovalainen joins Lewis Hamilton as the second McLaren driver. He will be hoping to build on last years strong debut season.
Other new drivers to look out for this season include: Nelsinho Piquet for Renault, Kazuki Nakajima for Williams and Sebastien Bourdais for Toro Rosso. Also look out for Timo Glock who will be driving for Toyota, he is not strictly new to the F1 grid as he drove 4 races for Jordan replacing Giorgio Pantano in 2004.
So Why Should You Watch?
So to answer the question I asked earlier, what can we look forward to in the new F1 season?
Will Raikkonen retain his title this year, or is Hamilton destined to be champion? Can Alonso's return to Renault return the team to winning ways? And will Honda get it right this year with their surprise signing of Ross Brawn?
I am looking forward to a more even playing field with the top teams being less dominant. Although what ever changes are made, the richer teams will always find a way. I also hope the increased emphasis on the driver's skill will see more overtaking as drivers make more errors tackling corners.
I will also be fascinated to see the success Singapore night race which will set a precedent for all night races planned for the future.
As with every season there will be some heroes, some villains and some surprise performances, but I don't think anything this year will compare with the surprise performance of Lewis Hamilton last season, but you never know.
If you think you know who this years winners and losers will be then why not enter a team at |
