F1 fans rejoice! The pre-season of F1 has begun with the launch Sunday (January 6, 2008) of the the aptly (and temporarily?) named Ferrari F2008. We can now expect a weekly diet from the F1 teams as they reveal their ‘08 challengers in an atmosphere of increasingly antiseptic corporate flair.

Its unlikely we’ll see The Who rocking out while Teutonic BMW executives pull back the covers on their new car. It just wouldn’t be an efficient use of the shareholders money, would it? Maybe Red Bull or Torro Rosso will make some noise this season but never like it was in the 90’s. No Spice Girls, no Albert Hall, just suits.

So while we might mourn the loss of Posh, Baby et al , one thing will certainly live on - the affirmation that this year will be: 1. a better year; 2. a breakout year; 3. ‘The’ year. Honestly, after so many ‘breakout’ and ‘better’ years, you would think “insert team name here” would have won a championship or even a race by now.

How refreshing would it be to see a press release that said, ‘This year, we won’t be fined back to the dark ages.’ or ‘We’re confident the race car is significantly faster than the safety car this year.’ Just give us something tangible.

But I digress…

With every launch and every press release, we’re closer to the start of the season. If you need your F1 fix as badly as I do, the launch dates for each team are listed below (or updated as they are announced).

• Ferrari - January 6
• McLaren - January 7
• Toyota - January 10
• BMW-Sauber - January 14-15
• Red Bull - January 16
• Honda - January 29
• Renault - January 31
• Williams - * (see below)
• Force India-
• Toro Rosso -
• Super Aguri -

* Williams F1 have opted not to officially launch their car. With a respectable 2007 performance in the can and a catalog of sponsors in its pocket, maybe Williams felt the didn’t need to tell any tall tales this season and plan to just get on with it. Very British, very Frank.

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As a fan, 2007 was a watershed year for my ongoing F1 education. Here are a few things I learned:

1. You can indeed get into the F1 paddock. It just takes one drink too many and a load of cash (or plastic) when the charity auction hammer drops. Hey Honda, please get back to me and explain exactly what happened to my “Christian Klein Guided Tour.”

2. It is possible for an unknown internet writer to talk his way into getting press credentials. It wasn’t Formula 1 but it was historic grand prix racing in all its glory. I stood trackside (no fences) as some of the prettiest cars racing has ever seen raced past on the legendary Mosport track. Some of the best shots are in a back issue of my BrakeTest newsletter.

3. Networking pays off. My newsletter fell into the hands of a local author who needed a photographer for the Toronto Grand Prix. “Race photos? Katherine Legge? Three days? Sure, I’m your man!” Not a single usable photo for her book but a hell of an education for me!

4. Racing can cost more than money. While on honeymoon in Scotland, I made a personal pilgrimage to the grave of Jim Clark, one of the most gifted race drivers ever to grace F1. Standing there in the cemetery reminded me of the price that has sometimes been paid in this sport. In an age of carbonfiber safety cells and emasculated tracks, its easy to forget how dangerous it was and is.

5. Its easy to overextend. While all of the above was going on, I was putting together a monthly newsletter on racing, preparing for a September wedding and honeymoon, working a full time job and buying a house (10 days before said wedding). It took its toll and the end result was that BrakeTest.net will be wrapped up shortly. It was a good run but too time consuming.

My desire to write will hopefully be contained by this blog while some larger projects gel in the background. I’m looking forward to the more interactive environment the blog provides and hope to hear from old friends from BrakeTest and new F1 fans alike.

Happy New Year

Rob Huntley

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