Lewis Hamilton started his 2008 campaign much like he ended the2007 season, off course! The runner-up in last year’s Championship got off to a rocky start testing at Jerez, Spain today, finding himself beached in the gravel. Twice.

The first time it was just wet,” Hamilton said.

I touched the kerb and just went on to the edge of the gravel - it would be good if there were some proper run-off areas here - and then it was the same again in the afternoon.

“Without these controls helping you on the entry to corners there is a lot more locking of the rear wheels, and when you are on the limit and pushing that is what happens.

Pardon me for saying so, but shouldn’t driving a Formula 1 car at the limit be difficult? I understand that not having driver aids like traction control and engine braking available will make driving more difficult but really, F1 is a sport of supreme skill and control. If it was a piece of cake every cab driver and dentist from Pensacola to Piccadilly would be out there setting fastest laps and looking for a multi-million dollar contract.

Hamilton’s suggestion that larger (proper?) run off areas should be set up is a statement that leaves me wondering about the new generation of race drivers who are in F1 before most of us are out of college. I’m solidly in favor of safety in racing and I don’t want to see a race driver die. But, there must be consequences when a driver makes a mistake. If there are no consequences what will stop some idiot from driving beyond his abilities and hurting himself or someone else? I’d rather Lewis was a bit embarrassed to be sitting in the gravel than dead because he put his trust in a run off area.

Lewis had two trips beyond the limits of the car and lost valuable testing time stuck in the dirt. In a race the same mistakes would have ended his race - a consequence worth thinking about as you approach a corner. If that had been a run off area instead of gravel would he have pushed even deeper on the next lap, and the next until he had a massive accident? Hopefully the consequences of a mistake sunk in as he sat there waiting for a tow.

Today is a indication that traction control and other ‘driver aids’ made it too easy for drivers to get in a car and race - never needing to find the limit through experience. No disrespect to Lewis Hamilton but how much of his success was the man and how much was the computer in 2007? From today’s performance, I think the computer played at least a minor role in his unprecedented debut.

Here’s to 2008, year of the driver, not the driver aid.

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