................................................................................................
Racial abuse
1. The season starts on a low with Lewis Hamilton the subject of racist abuse at February testing in Barcelona. It was a theme that would return to haunt F1 later in season with rights holder Bernie Ecclestone landing himself in hot water for making light of a Spanish website featuring yet more racist insults aimed at the young McLaren driver.
Mosley scandal
2. Formula One is rocked by video footage released by the News of the World showing FIA president Max Mosley in an orgy with five prostitutes. The paper alleges they are involved in Nazi role-playing, which is vehemently denied by Mosley who later wins a High Court legal case against paper for invasion of privacy. After months of debate and heated calls for Mosley to resign, he wins a vote of confidence at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the FIA on June 3.
Super Aguri bust
3. A sign of things to come. On arrival at Istanbul Park for the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix, Super Aguri's trucks and motorhomes are denied entry to the circuit. On May 6 it is confirmed that Super Aguri are to pull out of F1 due to financial difficulties. The Honda-backed company goes into administration a day later leaving British driver Anthony Davidson and his Japanese teammate Takuma Sato without a drive.
FOTA formed
4. A momentous day as the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) is formed on July 29 in Maranello, Italy. Headed up by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, FOTA gives the teams a united voice in their discussions with the FIA and with Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rights holder, regarding the future of the sport. The new Concorde Agreement, the division of profits, the proposed introduction of standard engines are all on the agenda.
Hamilton wins at Silverstone
5. After crashing into the back of Raikkonen at a red light in Montreal and then finishing 13th at Magny Cours, Hamilton silences the doubters with a sensational win at Silverstone in the driving rain. "I couldn't see a thing, especially the right side," Hamilton said afterwards. "This would definitely go down as my best win - not only because it was history and my home ground, but because I drove one of my best ever races."
Spa controversy
6. The controversy of the season comes at Spa. A compelling grand prix ends with Hamilton crossing the line first, but he is later judged to have gained an unfair advantage by cutting a chicane when he used a tarmac run off area to avoid hitting Kimi Raikkonen and given a 25-second penalty, thereby dropping him to third and giving Massa the win. Hamilton's world championship lead is cut to two and the sport is embroiled in allegations of fixing.
Singapore night race
7. F1's first night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore is hailed a roaring success. Co-funded by the Government of Singapore, 110,000 tickets are sold, the event is beamed back to Europe at a convenient time, the pictures look stunning and Bernie Ecclestone's eyes light up with dollar signs. Expet to see more of these in the future.
New young talent
8. The emergence of exciting new drivers such as Sebastien Vettel, Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen was a definite plus of the 2008 season. German Vettel became F1's youngest ever winner by taking the Italian Grand Prix at the age of 21. What is more, he did so in a Toro Rosso having qualified in pole position as well. Robert Kubica was many pundits' driver of the season and was in the title mix until the midway point, while Kovalainen won his first victory at the Hungaroring
Dramatic finale
9. Last corner, last lap, last race. Hamilton's fifth-place finish in the rain at Interlagos, making him F1's youngest ever world champion, was impossibly dramatic and turned the 23-year-old into a global sporting icon. It also gave birth to a whole new generation of petrolheads in Briton. It also showed sportsmanship at its best with Ferrari's desperately unfortunate Felipe Massa truly dignified in defeat.
Honda Ko'd
10. Formula One was hit by a seismic blow that shook it to its core as the year drew to a close. Honda's decision to pull the plug on their outfit due to the severe economic downturn prompted a bout of soul searching and frenzied speculation that other teams would follow in the Japanese manufacturer's wake. FIA president Max Mosley used the paranoia to push for extensive (and essential) cost-cutting, with a raft of new measures ratified at the World Council Meeting on Dec 12.
Posts
