From Australia (16th March) to Brazil (2nd November) through Montmeló (27th April) and Valencia (18th August), one of Formula 1 racing’s greatest assets is its ability to renew itself. It is what gives this fantastic sport its appeal.
Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari are the world champions after a controversial 2007 season when the action on the track between the Scuderia and McLaren reached fever pitch. But what are their chances of retaining the tittles? Having come so close in his rookie season, can Lewis Hamilton win redemption for McLaren by going one better in 2008? Over the winter, Ferrari appeared to make a step forward even on their late 2007 form. McLaren, however, hit back with very quick times in Barcelona, where the track mercilessly highlights any shortcoming with its wide range of corners. Then there is the fight to be third. Last season was pretty much the preserve of BMW Sauber, but this year it could be different. Williams have looked very strong in testing and Renault, despite gloomy predictions from Fernando Alonso, will be in there sooner or later. The renewal is not confined to what happens on the track. In two cases, it is the tracks themselves that are new, with exciting new street venues in Valencia, for the European Grand Prix, and the first-ever night race at Singapore in September – a further indication that the sport never misses a trick in evolving itself for the fans’ benefit.
This is always the time of year when anything is possible, a great point at which to let one’s expectations for the campaign ahead to be coloured by the excitement of the previous season. As things stand, at least three drivers may be vying for the world championship in November. So do not go away. This is where the fun really starts.

The ninth annual Laureus World Sports Awards was held in St Petersburg, Russia, on February 18, 2008. The Awards Ceremony, televised to a worldwide TV audience, was staged at The Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall.
The Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony brings together sporting celebrities past and present to honour the great achievements of the sports stars of today and is also a platform to showcase the work of the Laureus Sport Foundation, an humanitarian programme that operates on every continent and has improved the lives of over 150,000 young people since its inception.
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer was named Laureus Sportsman of the Year for the fourth straight time at the 2008 Awards ceremony after another superb year, which saw him once again win three Grand Slam in the season.
Tennis was the biggest winner in Saint Petersburg as Belgium’s Justine Henin won the Sportswoman of the Year award and Holland’s Esther Vergeer, the greatest wheelchair tennis star of all-time, took away the Laureus Disability trophy for the second time.
Two of the biggest names in British sport also have their hands on Laureus as Lewis Hamilton won the Breakthrough of the Year award after his remarkable debut season in Formula One, while long distance runner Paula Radcliffe had the Comeback of the Year award.