1. Fabrizio Giovanardi
Took more advantage of Vauxhall's superior preparation than anyone else to stack up the points early on, collected five wins and kept his nose clean to score at least 23 points in each of the first nine rounds. A wonderful battling drive from 16th to third at Snetterton was indicative of his class.
Won more races than anyone else (eight), took more poles than anyone else, led more races, miles and laps than anyone else. But yet, due largely to the unreliability of his SEAT Leon TDI, remained agonisingly just out of reach of Giovanardi all season. It would be a real shame if he did not return in '09.
Proved he's not just a wet-weather specialist by taking five wins and snatching second in the championship from Plato at the very last race of the year. Will be the complete package once he can get his head around qualifying with success ballast on board on a more regular basis.