| With the new Formula 1 season approaching fast, | | | | ability after another disappointing season of |
| excitement is growing for what could be one of | | | | malfunctions and breakdowns. |
| the most exciting seasons in years. | | | | McLaren have taken a serious risk with their |
| Sponsors, merchandise companies and TV | | | | driver choices for the upcoming season. With the |
| executives are licking their lips at the prospective | | | | choice of two drivers who were rookies last year |
| profits that will be made by an increased Formula | | | | the experience in the team is questionable. |
| 1 fan base from last years highly competitive | | | | Hamilton and Kovalainon both impressed last year |
| championship race. The 'spygate' scandal will | | | | but teams usually have one mature driver to |
| hopefully be left in the past and the racing will | | | | counter a younger, more impetuous driver. |
| once again take the fore as the most exciting | | | | McLaren have abandoned this wisdom for two |
| motor racing tour on the planet. | | | | young drivers, whether they can both keep their |
| Lewis Hamilton can be seen as a direct reason | | | | cool in the heat of a race will be one of the |
| why profits for sponsors and merchandise | | | | talking points throughout the season. |
| companies have been so high. His exquisite rookie | | | | Unfortunately the bad blood between team mates |
| season was a record in Formula 1 with more wins | | | | Alonso and Hamilton seems to have spilled out |
| and more points in his debut season than any | | | | into the grandstands. During testing in Spain fans |
| driver in history. | | | | were seen racially abusing Lewis Hamilton in the |
| Lewis Hamilton has brought many fans back to | | | | paddock; as the first afro-Caribbean driver in |
| the fold, especially in Britain where the popularity | | | | Formula 1 this sets a worrying precedent before |
| of F1 was faltering through years of unsuccessful | | | | the season has even begun. Sponsorship and |
| drivers and dull regulations; the popularity of this | | | | merchandise executives will hope the situation is |
| young driver has changed all that. | | | | resolved quickly as not to hamper profits for the |
| The F1 regulators have done much to make the | | | | next six months. |
| racing more exciting in recent years. The tyre and | | | | From the rounds of testing it currently looks as if |
| engine limitations have made pit stops and tyre | | | | once again, Ferrari will be the team to beat. With |
| choice pivotal in some races. This year brings a | | | | some outstanding lap times in the last round of |
| banning of traction control systems that will | | | | testing they are ahead of the pack by nearly a |
| doubtlessly lead to thrilling racing and many more | | | | second. |
| overtaking manoeuvres. | | | | The skill of the other drivers in races will be |
| This will definitely bring larger profits to sponsors | | | | imperative to creating a season that is not |
| and merchandise producers as fans will finally able | | | | dominated by one or two teams. Hopefully the |
| to see the cars unchained; and the true skill of | | | | new rules on traction control will punish driver |
| the drivers. | | | | mistakes harshly and lead to the contest for |
| After the rounds of testing that have been going | | | | points being fiercer than ever. |
| on in the off season, the contest for the | | | | One thing is certain, with the big businesses behind |
| championship looks more open than it has been in | | | | the sponsorship and merchandise deals in Formula |
| years. Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkenon and Felipe | | | | 1, the sport will drive towards making races |
| Massa have impressed in the F2008 while both | | | | evermore exciting. Rule changes to increase |
| Toyota and BMW have been competitive. | | | | competition are a vital component of this and |
| For BMW this offers German sponsors and | | | | proposed plans to cap team spending will also |
| merchandise businesses the chance for great | | | | raise competitiveness. |
| domestic earnings, more so than recent years | | | | As always Melbourne on March the 16th will give |
| where the team had flagged somewhat. It is also | | | | some indication of how exhilarating the new |
| hoped Honda BAR will be able to perform to its | | | | Formula 1 season will be. |