F1 back to the right Formula

Formula One is to launch an anti-racism campaign in the wake of the abuse suffered by Lewis Hamilton during testing in February. Hamilton was targeted at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, this is where the scheme will start at the Spanish Grand Prix in April. 

Spain hosts two Grand Prix next season and the FIA threatened sanctions against them if steps were not taken to prevent a repeat of the racist abuse the 23-year-old McLaren driver endured. Everyone across motor sport will be invited to join the campaign.

2007 provided the most exhilarating Formula 1 campaign for almost a decade both on and off the circuit. Massive excitement surrounds the New Year with fans hoping for another dramatic season without the anymore troubles off the track. There have been several changes throughout the cockpit during the off-season with Fernando Alonso returning to his beloved Renault being the biggest change.

The season kicks off at Melbourne on March 16th where Kimi Raikkonen will be trying to get off to the perfect start to retaining his title. McLaren and Ferrari were by far and away the best two teams last year with all 17 races ending with one of these teams as winners. BMW Sauber made massive strides on the big two last year and will hope to continue that momentum and win a race in 2008.

Kimi Raikkonen won the title in a dramatic last race in Brazil, snatching the title by a point from both Alonso and rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton. All eyes will be on whether Lewis Hamilton can this year win the title he arguably threw away last year. The young Briton recently signed a new 5-year deal believed to be worth ten million a year.

There has been one change in team for this campaign with the Spyker team the one to lose out, Force India will take their place in the cock-pit. After Renault lost their constructors title last year they made drastic changes to their team. Fernando Alonso returns and rookie Nelson Piquet Jr. comes in to partner him. Heikki Kovalainen went in the opposite direction to partner Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. Giancarlo Fisichella will deputise for new boys Force India at Melbourne.

Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Red Bull, Honda and Super Aguri are the only teams to maintain last years first choices. Kazuki Nakajima is the new partner of Nico Rosberg at the revitalised Williams team. Sebastian Bourdais was granted a full time seat at Toro Rosso after testing for the team last year.

Force India has splashed out the cash to land underachieving Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil as their 2008 drivers. Toyota has brought in rookie Timo Glock to partner the experienced Jarno Trulli. Toyota really struggled last year and will expect this exciting partnership to bring more success to the team. They only managed to score 13 points last year compared to 35 the season before.

Honda has made no changes to their drivers but has added a big name to their backroom staff. They have landed the much decorated Ross Brawn as team principal. Brawn comes from Ferrari where he had unprecedented success with Michael Schumacher. Honda will hope he is the man to help Jenson Button reach his undoubted potential.

Formula 1 is known for making massive differences to the rules and regulations during the off-season and 2008 has been no different. The main change has come to the traction control - systems which prevent the rear wheels spinning if a driver applies too much power - are no longer permitted. This will place more emphasis on driver skill and should lead to more overtaking, as drivers are more likely to make mistakes.

Similarly, systems that help the driver hold the clutch at a specific point to ensure an optimal getaway at the race start, have been outlawed. As in 2007, race engines must last two consecutive races but each driver will be awarded one ‘free’ change per season. Gearboxes must last for four consecutive races.

With only one point separating the top three at the end of last season, there is huge excitement surrounding the new season with all three racers on different teams. Hamilton and Raikkonen remain at McLaren and Ferrari respectively. Fernando Alonso has moved back to Renault after a turbulent campaign under Ron Dennis at McLaren.

There are 18 races scheduled for the upcoming season, one more than last year. The United States race in Indianapolis has been removed with a new European circuit at Valencia has replaced it for 2008. The new addition to the 2008 calendar is Singapore, which is also going to be the first ever night race in the Formula 1. There was much debate whether this race would go ahead and it has been given the green light for September 28 under street lights.

- Chris Blake