Formula One: Ferrari Roaring Toward Manufacturer's Championship

Ferrari's form in the 2008 season could not have been more different than last year, when McLaren was on form setting the pace.

This year though, it's payback time for the pranced horse squad, with 69 manufacturers points in the bank already, a whopping 16 points clear of runner up McLaren Mercedes and 17 of BMW Sauber. The red devils have made their intentions very clear this year!

Ferrari have the package and they mean business! The F2008 alone is a dream package of a car that seems to play in a league of its own; pace, drivability, adaptability and the mean potential to conquer Grand Prix where its predecessor was being atomised (see last year's McLaren 1-2 in Monaco) with authority.

Also Ferrari has an amazing driver line up, the best in the world in the words of Mr. Montezemolo. McLaren and BMW Sauber too can boast a great driver line up as well. Yet it is the very hard work and cooperative spirits of two great talents in Felipe Massa and world champion Kimi Raikkonen that will bank all the points needed to clinch the manufacturer's crown on the tracks, as opposed to the FIA offices...(see last year's spy scandal)

Now I suspect Massa and Raikkonen probably would not get on in real life, let alone spend their holidays together. These two are so different in so many ways.

One is a (mono-syllabic) Northern-lone-wolf-hunter-gatherer who wants to live his life his own way and has already hinted at retirement. The other is a Latino hotshot driving with his heart, allowing emotions to get in his way at times; which explains why he has never lifted the driver's championship crown.

Yet this pair of drivers is working superbly well. Contrast this with Hamilton-Kovalainen, Kubica-Heidfeld and Alonso-Piquet; in all three combos there seem to be a strong driver and an underachiever (in terms of points scored this year of course).

Let's face it: Piquet aside Kovalainen and Heidfeld are awesome; whereas Ferrari has two strong drivers bringing in the manufacturer's points everytime they race. This is why I believe the Maranello outfit will lift the Manufacturer's crown this year.

Furthermore, the arrival of Stefano Domenicaeli replacing good old Jean Todt has been a lot smoother than expected. Although Todt was seen in the Ferrari garages, I believe Domenicaeli has what it takes to slowly but surely fill in Todt's shoes, and yes, these are big shoes to fill.

So what could possibly get in the way of the "red storm"? One issue springs to mind already which is Raikkonen's recent dip in performance (again looking at the statistics, ninth in Monaco, third in Turkey); it's not that easy to determine how much did the strategy blunders last weekend overshadowed the Finn's true pace  or whether the man himself is to blame? Only time will tell!

My prediction going into Montreal is that Ferrari will once again roar its way through to the top. Let me be bold, predicting a podium 1-2 lock out on a track where everyone would expect the McLarens and BMWs to have the upper hand. As much as I hate to say this, the Ferrari will once again prove to the world it can challenge anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyways...

The bottom line is, Ferrari is up for it and so is Mr. Raikkonen, looking to bounce back with vengeance on top of his agenda!

With this in mind, what or who could possibly stand in the way of the red storm?

Answer: I'll leave this one for you to comment on...