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