| After the disastrous performance in the first | | | | especially young racing prodigy Lewis Hamilton. |
| Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, Ferrari fans, | | | | While in Malaysia both Hamilton and his team-mate |
| sponsors and merchandise producers may have | | | | Kovalainen were penalised for going too slowly |
| been worrying that it had created a standard for | | | | during their qualifying in-laps. |
| the rest of the season. This however has | | | | This time it was Hamilton who had a mare of a |
| changed in the last month with Ferrari putting in | | | | weekend. After first putting his car in the wrong |
| performances that at the worst could be | | | | setting at the start and losing five grid places he |
| described as resurgent. In the last two races | | | | found himself in the unenviable position of tenth. It |
| Ferrari fans, merchandise companies and sponsors | | | | would have been salvageable had it not been for |
| will be infinitely happier, the dominant position that | | | | an altercation with Lewis' former team mate |
| was apparent at the end of last season has been | | | | Fernando Alonso, which saw Hamilton lose his |
| regained and in Ferrari eyes this is the return of | | | | front end and another three places for a |
| to the correct order of things. | | | | unscheduled pit-stop. Whether his sponsors and |
| The last race weekend in Bahrain saw a | | | | merchandise producers will be worrying is |
| domineering one two finish for the team that not | | | | undisclosed, but the ever philosophical Hamilton still |
| only placed both drivers on the podium but | | | | fancies his chances for the title. |
| leapfrogged the team to second in the | | | | Ferrari will be happier with the performance of |
| constructor's championship only a solitary point | | | | their second driver Felipe Massa. After a spin in |
| behind the unexpected leaders, BMW. Gaining | | | | Malaysia that saw him forced into retirement |
| prominence over main rivals McLaren Mercedes | | | | during the thirtieth lap; his backers, sponsors and |
| would have been what merchandise producers, | | | | merchandise dealers may have been be |
| sponsors and the avid fan base wanted. After | | | | questioning their support. Added to this his |
| spending the majority of the season behind the | | | | performance in Australia was blighted by engine |
| British team last year, to take the lead is a great | | | | problems and yet another retirement this time in |
| psychological advantage; one that they will be | | | | the twenty ninth lap. The Brazilian Massa will |
| hoping to cling on to. | | | | however be buoyed by his performance in |
| The Bahrain Grand Prix saw the previous season's | | | | Bahrain which saw him take the chequered flag in |
| champion driver finish in second position. This will | | | | a weekend dominated by the prancing horse of |
| make his personal sponsors and merchandise | | | | Ferrari. |
| dealers jubilant as in Melbourne it looked as if he | | | | The season is still however in its infancy and |
| was going to struggle with the new anti-traction | | | | there is a long way to go for all the teams. While |
| control regulations. This has proven to be | | | | Ferrari may be currently benefiting from a string |
| unfounded as he has put in two solid | | | | of bad luck for rivals McLaren, luck can change |
| performances since then, taking the chequered | | | | quickly in Formula 1. Last year's season only goes |
| flag in Malaysia. The reigning champion now stands | | | | to show that leading all season does not |
| three points clear of BMW's Nick Heidfeld, whilst | | | | guarantee a title; something sponsors, |
| his main rival Lewis Hamilton is a surprising five | | | | merchandise suppliers and educated fans will be |
| points behind the Finn. Merchandise produces, | | | | acutely aware of. |
| sponsors and fans will be wishing for the state of | | | | As the teams head for the first of the European |
| play to stay this way. | | | | stints, plenty of practice and testing will be |
| So far though, it is Ferrari that has been | | | | undertaken to ensure maximum performance. All |
| fortuitous in the opening stages of the 2008 | | | | eyes in Spain will be on a flagging McLaren team |
| Formula 1 season, unlike last year. McLaren have | | | | to assess their ability to compete with not only |
| had problems in both the races since Australia, | | | | Ferrari but surprising championship leaders BMW. |