Differences from 2007
The 2008 season was markedly different from the previous one, as the races had more unpredictable patterns from the McLaren-Ferrari duopoly of 2007. Here are some key figures:
• In 2007 the pole-sitter won the race 11 times out of 17, while in 2008 this happened only seven times in 18 races. Furthermore, in five of them the safety car was deployed after the start (or before it in the Italian Grand Prix), helping the pole-sitter to keep his position.
• The leader at the end of the first lap won nine times, while in 2007 it was 12 out of 17.