2008 Chinese Formula 1 Preview
Hamilton, Massa and Kubica Battle for Formula One Title in China
Oct 13, 2008
With just two races left in the 2008 Formula 1 season the battle for the title is between three drivers. Lewis Hamilton currently leads the standings but saw Ferrari’s Felipe Massa gain two points on him after a ragged performance in Japan. The third driver in contention is BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica, who was a fine second at Fuji. Despite the team stopping development on this year’s car Kubica has just 12 points less than Hamilton, with 20 points still available.
History of F1 in China
The Chinese Grand Prix is one of the newer additions to the Formula 1 calendar. The Hermann Tilke designed circuit, near Shanghai, hosted its first Grand Prix in 2004. Rubens Barrichello won that race for Ferrari. The 2005 event was won by that year’s World Champion Fernando Alonso in a Renault.
Michael Schumacher scored the final victory of his extraordinary career at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2006. A Ferrari also won last year, in the hands of Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn’s title rival, Hamilton, failed to finish the 2007 race after driving into a gravel trap while trying to reach the pits on worn tyres.
Alonso Happy to Help Massa and Ferrari
Alonso will be confident of getting in among the title contenders after back-to-back victories in Singapore and Japan for Renault. Alonso endured an unhappy season last year as Hamilton’s team-mate at Mclaren and the Spaniard left no-one in any doubt about who he’d prefer to see take the title. In an interview with AS newspaper he was quoted as saying, “Yes, no doubt, if I can help, I will help Massa.”
Massa and Hamilton Fall Out Over Japan Crash
Massa was at the centre of the controversy in Japan after making contact with Hamilton’s McLaren, resulting in a spin for the English driver. Hamilton thought that Massa had intended to hit him, a claim which the Brazilian driver strongly denied. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph he responded to Hamilton’s claim;
“I did not hit him deliberately… For me it was just a racing incident but we took the penalty.”
If Hamilton and Massa tangle again in China it could leave the way clear for Kubica to make up more ground in the points table, which would set up a thrilling climax to the season in Brazil. Massa will be confident of victory at his home circuit so Hamilton will be keen to finish ahead of his Ferrari rival in this weekend’s race.
2008 Chinese GP Facts and Figures
Race date: Sunday 19th October, 2008
Race distance: 56 laps
Circuit length: 3.387 miles (5.451km)
Circuit record: 1 minute, 32.238 seconds (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Weather forecast: Friday - dry, Saturday - dry, Sunday - small chance of light rain
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