F1 big guns show their hands

By James Disdale

20th January 2008

Gentleman, start your engines for a heart-stopping year of motorsport. And leading the way is F1 – which this week saw the launch of three cars for 2008, from McLaren, Toyota and Ferrari.

After a tough 2007, the McLaren team is looking forward to a happier 2008. Found guilty of spying, it ended the year stripped of points and having to pay a 0 million (£51 million) fine.

However, with the unveiling of its new MP4-23 car and driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Finn Heikki Kovalainen, hopes are high. McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said: “We had a number of distractions last season, but we’ve had enough focus to create a competitive car this year.”

Toyota suffered a poor 2007, too, with bosses at the Japanese company threatening to pull the plug on the F1 programme if it doesn’t start to perform. So, the new TF108 has to impress. The services of Italian driver Jarno Trulli have been retained, while last year’s GP2 champion Timo Glock is in the number two seat.

Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina made the squad’s intentions clear: “Our ultimate target is the top step of the podium – we are in Formula One to win, and we want to do that soon.”

The F2008 Ferrari hit the track for the first time after its public unveiling last week. Lead driver, world champion Kimi Raikonnen (below), was impressed. “The car is positive and you can handle it even without the traction control,” he said.

With such an exciting season ahead, you won’t want to miss any of the action. Check our calendar for all the F1 dates, so you’ll be there from the first green light to the last wave of the chequered flag.