Lewis Hamilton has started 2008 off in the best way possible, winning the Australian Grand Prix. The 22-year- old McLaren driver, who nearly won the Formula One Championship in his first year in 2007, led from pole position and never really looked troubled. Hamilton’s new teammate Heikki Kovalainen also had a good first race finishing fifth and recording the fastest lap of the race.While the McLaren's led from the front, it was the Ferrari's that did all of the entertaining from the back. Defending champion Kimi Raikkonen broke down during qualifying but had the best possible start moving from fifteenth to seventh in his first lap. Felipe Massa fought back from last after being put into a wall in his first lap. However his Ferrari showed some great speed moving quickly through the pack before another spectacular incident, this time with Red Bull’s David Coulthard.
Out of the twenty-two drivers that started the race, only seven finished. Some of the big names that failed to cross the line included Raikkonen, Massa, Australia’s Mark Webber and BMW’s Robert Kubica who started from second on the grid.
It seems that BMW are surely in a class of their own now, showing they are able to compete with Ferrari and McLaren. During qualifying they were some of the final cars out on the track and were able to produce some very quick laps to start second and fifth.
Two time world champion Fernando Alonso, now back with Renault after leaving McLaren last year, battled his way to finish fourth however it will be interesting to see if his car will be fast enough to compete for the championship this year.
While Hamilton has firmed as favourite on TAB Sportsbet to win the championship in front of Raikkonen, Kovalainen and Massa, it is yet to be seen if he will be able to do what he couldn’t last year and win the championship. In 2007 Hamilton impressed by making the podium twelve times, four of those wins and was leading the championship in the final few rounds before Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen came from third to steal the championship in the final race in Brasil. Hamilton is young and influential and 2008 will be a test of his determination, especially since all of the pressure is on him this year to perform after his incredible first year.
Hamilton is in for some very tough competition this year. His team- mate Heikki Kovalainen has a great chance to perform well now that he has the right car. The two BMW drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica appear to be very competitive this year. Yet again the tow Ferrari’s Raikkonen and Massa will be very fast. The dark horse still remains Alonso who has won two championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. Will he be able to repeat this feat again or has Renault lost too much ground since then?
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