22.08.2008
It's an all new European Grand Prix as the action shifts to Valencia. It's a new race, a new track and may even throw up a new winner. But my pick for this week's top podium finish is Lewis Hamilton.
Yes I know it's a predictable choice, but Hamilton has a real opportunity to take control of the World Championship with a victory in Valencia. The McLaren arguably remains the superior car to the Ferrari and as Lewis proved by winning in Monaco, he can match aggression with precision. He is perfectly supported by team-mate Kovalainen too. The big question is will Ferrari have found something extra to fight back with?
I personally think that Kimi Raikkonen will fight back. And it sets up a great prospect for Valencia. The track is wide, fast and flowing, but doesn't have sufficiently long straights to allow a horsepower advantage to show. All eyes will be on the McLaren-Ferrari battle, but the vagaries of an all-new track might just lead to someone springing a surprise.
DRIVER PROFILE
Full Name: Lewis Hamilton
Date of Birth: January 7, 1985
Team: McLaren
Nationality: British
Podiums: 18
Grand Prix: 28
World Championships: 0
TEAM PROFILE
Base: Woking, UK
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen
Chassis: MP4-23
Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
First Season: 1966
World Championships: 8
TRACK DETAILS
Race Date: August 24, 2008
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.440 km
Race Distance: 310.080 km
Lap Record: n/a
DID YOU KNOW
- Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his first attempt in 2006, earning himself his maiden Formula One test and a McLaren race drive for 2007.
- Hamilton won the Formula Three Euroseries in 2005, taking the title with 15 wins, 10 fastest laps and 13 pole positions.
- Juan Pablo Montoya left McLaren mid season in 2006 to race for NASCAR.
- Founder of the team Bruce McLaren was killed in 1970 at the Goodwood circuit while testing a Cam-Am sportscar.
- In 2007, McLaren won eight races but were stripped of constructors' points and fined USD 100 million for benefiting from possession of confidential Ferrari data.