As the 2007 F1 season settles into memory, we look forward to what’s in store for 2008. With so much change going on between seasons this year; driver changes as always and surely some surprises there, changes to the cars, teams and management, the fast approaching 2008 season is set to be full of excitement!
There are many changes going into 2008 for the world of F1, and we’ll name a few of them here. Next year all cars will use a standard ECU and traction & launch control will be banned. Fernando Alonso is back at Renault after just 1 year at McLaren. Some lable his short tenure at McLaren a “disaster” but in all reality, he was still only 1 point from the World Championship at the end of a long season, so it’s hardly a disaster. Heiki Kovalanen is going to the empy McLaren seat left by Alonso, Giancarlo Fischicella is not sure where he’ll be, and Renault have an all new line-up in returning 2x Champ, Alonso and ‘08 rookie, Nelson Piquet Jr. Some people are gone, or unsure where they’ll be going next year, such as Fischicella, Ralf Shumacher, Liutzi & Alex Wurz. The Champions, Ferrari are keeping things mostly the same but we’ll see less of Jean Todt next year as he’s no longer General Manager, but now the CEO of Ferrari. Sauber BMW look to keep things goig with the continuation of Heidfeld and Kubica, Honda hope to improve with the factory works team with the same driver line-up. Williams, Toyota, Red Bull, Spyker - er- Force India as they’ll be know from now on, & Super Aguri will all have some or all new drivers next year as well.
With all the changes over the winter, 2008 should be quite an exciting F1 season. In just a matter of 3-4 weeks the new challengers will begin to debut and hit the track for the first time ever with teams begining the winter launch galas that always mark that time of year, although McLaren have said they are not doing a lavish launch this year, kind of the bad dog with it’s tail between it’s legs just trying not to get attention and stay out of trouble after the spy saga that rocked the sport this year. All in all, can’t wait for the racing to begin but that’s still exactly 87 days out.
