The Italian press believes Ferrari is set to dominate the 2008 season. Despite officials for the Maranello based team's rivals McLaren and BMW playing down the gap following Ferrari's second consecutive one-two victory on Sunday, the sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that the "dominance" of the scarlet F2008 at Barcelona was "impressive".

"Not a single mistake was committed," - Gazzetta added. "McLaren and BMW are far away. After Spain, the 2008 world championship could be over."

Corriere dello Sport said of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen: "The Finn is objectively the only true candidate for the title. As in the past, this championship could become 'formula boredom'."

The Turin-based national newspaper Tuttosport added: "Raikkonen and Massa conquered Spain and demonstrated Ferrari's absolute power.The advantage over their rivals is almost embarrassing, even though Stefano Domenicali has called for restraint. Raikkonen had the race totally under control, and Massa actively supported him. This is his role, even if he does not want to admit it."

Rome-newspaper Il Messaggero wrote: "The Ferrari conductors are trying to curb the enthusiasm, but it is obvious that Ferrari's lead over McLaren and BMW is great."

And now BMW-Sauber, and probably other formula one teams, will shortly experiment with the new 'nose hole' innovation that featured on the dominant Ferrari cars in last weekend's Spanish grand prix.

Although Maranello based Ferrari insists that the
shark mouth-style feature in front of the driver position may not be used at every race this season, BMW technical director Willy Rampf confirmed that a similar concept will be trialled in the team's Hinwil wind tunnel in the coming days.

"I am almost certain that it would also work on some of the other cars so we will have a look," -Rampf is quoted as saying by Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell publication.

References:

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/4/7701.html

Formula One racing’s first-ever night race - the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix brings an unusual lightning conditions to the sport and marks specially developed electronic flag displays. Italian-based Valerio Maioli S.P.A. is lighting consultant, who developed this new technology . The necessary lighting system is design and constructed to illuminate the Singapore event. It will be used in conjunction with the traditional flag signals waved by marshals.

‘DigiFlags’ will convey the different flag colours in a more visible way during the night race. Thirty five display panels will be situated around the Singapore track, each controlled by handheld panels operated by officials at each marshals’ post. In addition to improved visibility, the new system will also provide the race director with an overview of every flag display around the circuit, thereby ensuring the more efficient communication of warnings.

Earlier Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix commented: "Staging the first Formula 1 night-race is a huge undertaking but, with Valerio Maioli's extensive experience, we are confident that they are able to deliver the system successfully."

With less than six months to go before the inaugural Singapore event takes place on September 28, the race organisers have been hard work preparing the new street circuit. A week-long demonstration of the lighting system was held from March 29, with a 64-metre stretch lit up with 16 projectors, ahead of its complete installation in August.

References:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7655.html

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/156028-0/singapore_sheds_light_on_key_contractor.html

Today I was reading an interesting article about preparations for the first ever night race in Formula 1. As you are well aware, FIA has already approved the night race, which will be held in Singapore. Moreover, the race will take place in the streets.

The design of the illumination system belongs to an Italian lighting specialist Valerio Maioli. The goal of the system is to maximise visibility for night-race conditions.

More than three giga-watts of power will be necessary to light 1,500 projectors. The overall system uses about 108,423 meter cabling and 240 steel pylons. It is already known that the lighting of the system will be four times brighter that that of sports stadiums.

I've been a passionate Formula 1 fan for quite long for now and the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday was one of the most interesting and fascinating races I've ever watched. I believe no F1 fan would watch the race without excitement and yes without fear.

Eight drivers had to retire from the race and two drivers (Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella) have been disqualified. Accidents? The Canadian Grand Prix had pretty of them and BMW's Robert Kubica had a terrible one.

Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton was the happiest man in the world. After five podiums in a row he finally managed to win the race. His magnificent victory followed his equally well qualification on Saturday, which brought him the pole position.

Despite the intense race full of accidents and restarts, Lewis was driving calm and he showed a nearly perfect driving.

Congratulations to Lewis and the McLaren team.