New F1 season : a busy month of preparation

With all press coverage that make a huge headlines along the year (from a sensational rookie to the spying saga), 2007 Formula 1 season was ended with a dramatic on-track battle by top three drivers fight for championship title in Brazil. Huh...for me it's a relief that this sport was finaly ended, showing to the fans a great on-track action rather than all the scandals, politics, and controvercy that seemingly endless over the year.

A tremendous performance by sensational rookie Lewis Hamilton at least gave McLaren a sweet ending after being attacked by spying scandal that cause them lost both championship title this year and come away empty handed. They have paid a high price for this, after being stripped from constructure championship and fined by FIA (with a fantastic 9 digit number on the bill), they still have to proof that there is no Ferrari data was used or influenced the design of their 2008 mechine. Something that seems was cleared after the FIA accepted their public appology and decided to close the saga.

Starting the new season, F1 teams begin their preparataion to launch and test their brand new mechine and make sure their drivers are well equipped with fast and reliable car to race in the front row. Oohh...can't hardly wait to see it! Begin with F2008 launching at private Ferrari circuit Fiorano on jan 6, and follow a day after by the McLaren MP4-23 at the Mercedez-benz base in Stuttgart.

Hopefuly this coming season will show more excitement on the track and bring a lot of surprise that will make Formula 1 always interesting to see.


-Putra-



2008 F1 launch dates

# Jan 06 - Ferrari, Fiorano
# Jan 07 - McLaren, Stuttgart
# Jan 10 - Toyota, Cologne
# Jan 14 - BMW Sauber, Munich
# Jan 16 - Red Bull Renault, Jerez
# Jan 29 - Honda, HQ, Brackley
# Jan 31 - Renault, Paris

The rest of F1 teams has yet to confirm their launch date.