The Annual Grapevine
A look back at the off-track events that defined the 2008 season
That 2008 would be a tumultuous year for Formula One became clear even before the sport bade farewell to 2007, one of the most acrimonious seasons in the 58-year history of the world championship. Not only had McLaren been found guilty of spying and stripped of all their constructors' points, but they also faced the threat of having their MP4-23 banned before it even turned a wheel.
In February, McLaren were given the all-clear - but not before the team had settled a record $100m fine. Ferrari later 'forgave' McLaren, but still, who would have thought that in August - less than a year after being convicted - Ron Dennis, the Anglo-German outfit's CEO, would stroll through Ferrari's factory gates to be received by Luca di Montezemolo?
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