Since the start of this season, one universal truth of modern Formula One has been driven home: in such a closely matched contest, the 2008 championship title will go to the team with the best reliability and the driver who makes the fewest mistakes over the course of the year.
Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis © XPB |
The need for consistency is a mantra that has been chanted repeatedly by all of the major title contenders, with increasing urgency as the mistakes and mechanical failures have compounded.
Following the disastrous Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo expressed his confidence that the Scuderia would record 1-2 finishes in each of the three remaining grands prix, or at least finish both cars ahead of arch-rivals McLaren to successfully defend their titles.
McLaren, in turn, staunchly declared that there would be no repeat of the mishaps that cost them so dearly in China and Brazil last season. For his part, Lewis Hamilton added that the learning curve of 2007 had helped him to develop into a more composed and mature driver, focused on the bigger picture of winning the championship rather than going all-out for the glory of individual race wins.