I have watched Formula One for 18 years now, and I have seen some pretty amazing title battles, and some boring ones too, mainly those won by some bloke called Michael Schumacher.
I thought I had gone through every emotion last season with Lewis Hamilton dominating the majority of the 2007 season, and losing it in such terrible circumstances, little did I know what we were in for this year.
Australia was a phenomenal performance from Lewis, dominant from start to finish and never under any serious threat. Malaysia was quite a bad race for him, demoted to ninth for unintentionally blocking in qualifying, and then a botched pit-stop by McLaren ensured he would be off the podium.
Bahrain was even worse, slow getaway and then a front-wing failure sending him flying over Fernando Alonso. Things were not so rosy for Hamilton at this point, but he did improve in Spain to get third place.
Turkey was a great race for Hamilton, utilizing a three-stop strategy to the best of its capabilities, and securing second place behind Felipe Massa.
Monaco beckoned, and a chance for Hamilton to keep his phenomenal record up, with second place being his lowest result in any class. A great wet-weather masterclass from Hamilton and a place in the record books, much deserved.
Then it was on to Canada, and probably the biggest mistake of Hamilton career, ploughing into the back of Kimi Raikkonen in the pit-lane. Hamilton felt humiliated, and now had to go to France with a ten-place grid penalty.
The FIA penalized Hamilton for corner cutting, despite the fact that Hamilton had completed the overtaking move before running wide. Of course, the FIA said that they did not see that, somehow, and went ahead with the penalty. More questions raised at that point about the legality of the relationship between the FIA and Ferrari.
Hamilton had to respond in Britain with a crushing performance, and he did, winning by well over a minute in his greatest career victory. He was also interviewed a certain someone, the finest moment of his career by far.
Hockenheim next, and yet another crushing win for Hamilton, sometimes lapping a full second per lap faster than Felipe Massa. Hungary was next, but Felipe Massa performed one of the all time great overtaking maneuvers into turn one.
Hamilton then suffered a puncture later on, but he was saved by Massa's engine expiring with a few laps left. Valencia beckoned, but that would prove to be one of the all-time worst Grand Prix' in the history of our sport.
Hamilton qualified second and finished there, such was the poor design of the circuit that he had no chance of catching Massa.
After that was Spa, and Hamilton took a victory in a thrilling finale, but that was stripped away from him by the FIA, of course, for corner cutting. This despite the fact that he gave back the advantage he gained from passing Raikkonen.
Fans around the world revolted, but Hamilton was hell bent on silencing the FIA with a win at Monza. He did not win, finishing in seventh in atrocious rain after a terrible qualifying session.
Singapore was next, and it would prove to be Massa's downfall in the title race. Ferrari released Massa from his pit-stop with the fuel rig still attached, and he fell down to last place, scoring no points at all. Hamilton salvaged third from a chaotic race.
Fuji was next, and Hamilton qualified on pole sensationally, but threw it all away when he locked his brakes into turn one. He pitted for tyres, but was disgracefully penalized for running wide, despite other drivers in past races hitting fellow competitors in turn one and going unpunished.
Shanghai was next and Hamilton dominated from the first practice session to the final lap, a brilliant performance to set-up a climax in Brazil.
Everything was okay for Hamilton in Brazil, he was cruising home in fourth place for the title, but then the rain fell again, and after Timo Glock bravely stayed out of dry tyres in wet conditions, Hamilton was now in fifth.
He was soon passed by Sebastien Vettel, and the title was slipping away from him. I was having a heart-attack, waking anybody who was having their afternoon nap. I was eventually screaming at my television, although I did not go as far as Luca Di Montezemolo.
I screamed in pure joy and relief when Hamilton passed Glock and the last corner of the last race of the 2008 Formula One season.
This was not my best article, but one of my most emotional, but seriously, who could have bet that the world championship would be decided with just 780 yards left?
Thanks for reading, your experiences below, cheers.
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about 1 month ago
In retrospect I loved it all, a comedy of errors with a happy ending. Spa was a shock at the time, but it all came right in Brazil, if only just. But I could not say it was the greatest F1 season, I thought that a week ago but not now.
about 1 month ago
Perhaps Luca has shares in Currys? He had to buy a new TV and I'm sure he went to Currys for it!
Was a great season Mike, and down to the wire, literally.... Possible only disappointment was that it was only down to two drivers with several races to go (I mean in reality, not mathematically) I fancied seeing 3 or 4 vying for it at the end!
I love the srticle Mike, showing some real passion there, son!
POTD!
about 1 month ago
Looks like I just made the vote 50 / 50 , yes for me it was the best season ever because a red car doesnt contain a champion finally , I have nothing against the Ferrari drivers taking titles but we needed a change in WDC and got it , so it was the best ever ha ha .
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/81526-darts-news-round-up-taylor-champ-in-the-euros-celebs-battle-it-out
about 1 month ago
I loved the 2008 season, it was the first whole one I saw (i did watch 2007 from monaco onwards) and what a choice! the start of the season was poor for lewis, I thought kimi was going to run away with it. I regained hope at monaco but what a mistake in canada! Britain was the turning point, and I predicted hamilton for podiums till the end of the season and although i was wrong, he never gave up the championship lead.
good article, I enjoyed that one.
about 1 month ago
i think in any article - when you put someone OFF - in the very first paragraph , they wont read it
something of a little tip - from a journalism perspective
i did not wanna get through the article after the first paragraph - you could ve and should ve phrased it differently
this is just cons. criticism -
cheers
PS: Boring for you ... yes, but you are the leader of BR-F1 with 800 members, you should stand more to the middle line, dont forget the number of times we cherished each win - cheers mikey, good luck
about 1 month ago
no - not the greatest ever, given the fact that someone who did not win the most races won the c-ship, but that does not mean he did not deserve it
hats off LH !
but best ever - no chance
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