After McLaren's seemingly dominant form in Australia, Ferrari have answered back by winning the next four races. Two of those races (Bahrain GP and Spanish GP) were 1-2 finishes by the famous Italian squad. At the moment, Ferrari is clearly the team to beat.
However, the past four races were held at circuits that suit the F2008's characteristics with fast sweeping bends. Last year, the F2007 also had success in such tracks (Ferrari did win the Bahrain GP, Spanish GP and Turkish GP last year). The 2007 campaign witnessed Ferrari dominate in Silverstone, Magny Cours, Spa-Francorchamps, Shanghai and Interlagos.
However, Ferrari did have a major weakness in last year's championship bid. That was the lack of competitive pace in slower, tighter circuits where McLaren had the edge. One only needs to watch review the Monaco and Hungarian GP to see how much Ferrari lagged behind McLaren in such circuits.
McLaren and Lewis Hamilton will have to hope that the same holds true for 2008. With the next race held in Monaco, a McLaren 1-2 (like what happened last year) should significantly close the gap to Ferrari and prevent the 'Prancing Horse' from running away in the standings.
However, Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali mentioned that the F2008 has already addressed last year's problems in tighter circuits. The solution was fitting the F2008 with a shorter wheelbase compared to that of the F2007. It is believed that the F2007's long wheelbase, good for improving handling and aerodynamics, was disadvantageous in tight, twisty tracks.
Only time will tell if the F2008 can perform as well in Monaco as it did in the last four GP's. If Ferrari still dominates, then this year's championship could easily be a one horse race. But if McLaren can still maintain it's edge it held last year, then Monaco might be a turning point in the battle for Formula 1 supremacy.
However, the past four races were held at circuits that suit the F2008's characteristics with fast sweeping bends. Last year, the F2007 also had success in such tracks (Ferrari did win the Bahrain GP, Spanish GP and Turkish GP last year). The 2007 campaign witnessed Ferrari dominate in Silverstone, Magny Cours, Spa-Francorchamps, Shanghai and Interlagos.
However, Ferrari did have a major weakness in last year's championship bid. That was the lack of competitive pace in slower, tighter circuits where McLaren had the edge. One only needs to watch review the Monaco and Hungarian GP to see how much Ferrari lagged behind McLaren in such circuits.
McLaren and Lewis Hamilton will have to hope that the same holds true for 2008. With the next race held in Monaco, a McLaren 1-2 (like what happened last year) should significantly close the gap to Ferrari and prevent the 'Prancing Horse' from running away in the standings.
However, Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali mentioned that the F2008 has already addressed last year's problems in tighter circuits. The solution was fitting the F2008 with a shorter wheelbase compared to that of the F2007. It is believed that the F2007's long wheelbase, good for improving handling and aerodynamics, was disadvantageous in tight, twisty tracks.
Only time will tell if the F2008 can perform as well in Monaco as it did in the last four GP's. If Ferrari still dominates, then this year's championship could easily be a one horse race. But if McLaren can still maintain it's edge it held last year, then Monaco might be a turning point in the battle for Formula 1 supremacy.
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