Formula 1: Lewis to be pipped again

Lewis Hamilton is many people's favourite for the 2008 Formula 1 title after last season's near-miss - but his fans would do well not to count their chickens ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Defending champion Kimi Raikkonen looks to have the mind-set and the machinery to repeat his success in his second season behind the wheel of the Ferrari.

With Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen and Raikkonen's Ferrari sidekick Felipe Massa lacking the all-round packages to challenge for top spot, another Hamilton-Raikkonen duel is very much on the cards.

But what about Fernando Alonso in his second spell with Renault? He'll be hoping that his R28 car is better than its predecessor. If it isn't, the feisty Spaniard will struggle to finish fourth.

So that's it then...Raikkonen to finish first in the championship race, Hamilton second, Massa third, and Alonso fourth if he's lucky and doesn't throw his toys out of the pram.

What do you think? Can Hamilton triumph this time round? And who'll be the biggest chump of 2008? We want to hear your views, so post your comments below...and check out what Orange's Formula 1 crystal ball predicts for the new season.

Comments

[name]

I think the biggest chump is orange f1 for there sickening biased hamilton crap and descent of everyone and everybody else within f1 except hamiltonhamiltonhamiltonhamiltonhamilton , i hope alan donnely has you in the high courts for the way you are bringing his charachter into disrepute,so thats it for now im boycotting this effin too pro hamilton website i'll find a more neutral website thats not so blinded and guess what i do like hamilton but i like f1 as a whole and this is just biased crap that makes me a bit embarrased to be english/british.

[Tom Eardley]

it doesn't matter if the ferrari is quicker this season, lewis has got it in him to get ahead and finish in first, he's proved that already and he will continue to out perform and amaze. go lewis we're all supporting you

[Sam Betts]

I fear Lewis' car has got nothing on the Ferrari this season despite his time in the second practice session. I only hope Raikkonen has reliability problems and then Lewis can come shining through. Really looking forward to Sunday's race. I'll be getting up at stupid o'clock to watch it.

[A Parker]

I want Hamilton to win to shove it to all the racists who seem to slime into every conversation about Lewis Hamilton. That Richard, what a nasty, racist idiot. You go Lewis. He's already second in first practice and first in the second practice.

[Steve Kissane]

Lewis Hamilton is the best thing to have happened to Formula 1 since 1996. Any British citizen who isnt firmly supportive of him needsw to crawl back under their stone.

[lewis]

Richard, you are a muppet and you talk bull. I would love to see you in a F1 car, you would crash in about 1/2 a lap. Super fitness is needed, you clearly know nothing. Political correctness, what the eff are you talking about? McLaren chose him because hes a very good driver. Just because drivers are good in lower categories doesn't mean they will ace F1. Look at Liuzzi for example, won F3000, failed miserably in F1.

Hamilton should do it though if he doesn't make any mistakes or bad car reliability.

[Richard de Warrenne]

Would you let Hamilton loose in a brand new car capable of over 200 mph if youy had paiud for it?
It's a publicity stunt!
I'm sure his father and disabled brother are very supportive - they seem to follow him everywhere.
There are better drivers out there - who are not given the chance because it is not so politically correct!!
Give me the opportunity - and I am 63 years old"!
Sorry, please take political correctiveness out of F1 and we'll get a much better driver to actually stand a chance of winning because of his skill rather than who he represents

[Paul]

I have been a F1 supporter for 30 odd years, after the Lewis Hamilton show took over last year, I dont think I will bother any more.

[HFW]

I really couldn,t be less interested.
Ask me again when that grey haired old scroat (Bernie)packs his bags and heads of into the sunset.

[Choccy]

Lewis will do it this time after learning from his mistakes in 2007