Twelve months ago at the Belgian Grand Prix, Formula 1 was in the midst of a controversy that threatened the very existence of one of its most successful teams, McLaren Mercedes. The story of ‘Spygate has been well covered and its sorry story can be found elsewhere.
The point is that twelve months later, Formula 1 finds itself in a rather more politically stable climate as it returns to the majestic Spa – Francorchamps circuit this weekend.
The story of 2008, like last season has been between McLaren and Ferrari but this year it is being fought not in courtrooms but on the track, and it is set for a thrilling conclusion with the added attraction of F1’s first ever night race on the streets of Singapore at the end of September.
Brit Lewis Hamilton is out for redemption.
Having lost last seasons championship at the death, in his rookie season, Hamilton currently leads the standings by six points.
Burdened by the weight of ‘celebrity’ in his homeland, Hamilton would be the first English champion in over a decade and the first McLaren driver to win the Drivers crown since 1999, overcoming the expectations and pressures from the ‘Fleet Street’ tabloids.
The title would be the confirmation of Hamilton as Formula 1’s new pin up boy, the mantle of the ‘new Senna’ justified.
Hamilton faces stiff opposition from the ever – threatening Ferrari juggernaut with Felipe Massa leading the charge over his teammate, last seasons champion and out of form Kimi Raikkonen.
If the concluding six races are anything like last seasons drama it will be a spectacular ride. But how does this season’s battle compare to last seasons drama?
It can’t.
2007 will go down as one of the greatest seasons not just because it went down to the final race with three drivers still in contention. The interwoven stories of the bitter inter team battle between Hamilton and Fernando Alonso and the latter’s role in further exposing Spygate gripped the sporting world.
It was drama and controversy that only Formula 1 can do.
As a sport driven by commercial considerations, controversy, a direct result of self – interest, is never far from the surface.
But is Formula 1 reliant on off–track sagas as part of its show?
Formula 1 is a soap opera. It relies on the off track political bickering to supplement the racing that can often be very predictable and monotonous.
There is better racing in other racing categories. But Formula 1 gives fans more. It’s about excess, in performance and money, intrigue and high stakes.
Twelve months ago McLaren were fined $100 million for having Ferrari classified documents in their possession and that financial hit has had no obvious impediment to their 2008 campaign.
The amount is staggering and highlights the vast amounts of millions flowing through the sport.
Most other professional sports don’t even turnover that amount of money let alone its competitors except for perhaps soccer, Formula 1’s rival for the attention of cashed up billionaires.
The English Premier Leagues headlines now talk of Sheiks and multi million dollar transfers rather than goals and tackles.
It is a more deep-rooted phenomenon in Formula 1 because it was the first sport to completely give itself over to commercial interests.
Perhaps what this season is lacking therefore is the political and commercial intrigue of last season.
Maybe we should just learn to enjoy the racing and leave the off track controversy to the lawyers.
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