As the 2008 season arrives at the half-way point, three drivers were left on equal points. Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen are all on 48 points with Robert Kubica only 2 points behind on 46 heading into todays race. At the moment, this years world champion is any ones guess with the competition far more fierce than ever predicted. Lets take a look at how this four-way battle for the top-spot has come about, with half the races completed.Kimi Räikkönen
The reigning world champions still looks to be in the best position to retain his title, with his pace
being proved after managing to set the fastest lap in every race since the Spanish Grand Prix. Still, the opposition is pressuring him and an unexpected challenge from his Ferrari teammate is letting the McLarens and BMW though. The Ferrari is the faster car, but McLaren are catching up quickly and the advantage of pure race pace in the car is rapidly disappearing. Perhaps one crucial advantage for the Finn, he has the experience. He has been in a championship battle 3 times and not come out of it on top. He is still the favourite, but for how long?
being proved after managing to set the fastest lap in every race since the Spanish Grand Prix. Still, the opposition is pressuring him and an unexpected challenge from his Ferrari teammate is letting the McLarens and BMW though. The Ferrari is the faster car, but McLaren are catching up quickly and the advantage of pure race pace in the car is rapidly disappearing. Perhaps one crucial advantage for the Finn, he has the experience. He has been in a championship battle 3 times and not come out of it on top. He is still the favourite, but for how long?Felipe Massa
Massa is almost definitely the improvement of the season. How far hes come, not just since 2007,
but since the start of this season, is quite astonishing. At the start of the season his poor performances, retirements and disability to drive without traction control were likely to give him the boot from Ferrari, with some saying he wouldn't last the season. Somehow he has completely turned his season around and has now equaled his teammates points tally and is a firm championship contender, starting to really worry his world champion teammate. Hes the outside chance, but after each race he looks more and more likely to be able to take the 2008 drivers trophy, as the season progresses.
but since the start of this season, is quite astonishing. At the start of the season his poor performances, retirements and disability to drive without traction control were likely to give him the boot from Ferrari, with some saying he wouldn't last the season. Somehow he has completely turned his season around and has now equaled his teammates points tally and is a firm championship contender, starting to really worry his world champion teammate. Hes the outside chance, but after each race he looks more and more likely to be able to take the 2008 drivers trophy, as the season progresses.Lewis Hamilton
The 21 year-old Briton has gone from being a rookie GP2 driver to a megastar in just 2 years. He has shown hes capable of getting the results he needs for a championship contender but, 
despite some brilliant performances, some bad mistakes have left him equal with the Ferraris, rather than pulling away into the distance. Last year he was in a position which most drivers could only dream of. He would easily won the championship but unnecessary mistakes in China and Brazil undid all his hard work in the previous races. He has carried the great performances and bad mistakes into the 2008 season but has not yet mastered the art of ignoring the press. The tabloid stories this year has affected him. As long as he can put the pressure behind him and get on and drive, he will bring this championship down to the very end.
despite some brilliant performances, some bad mistakes have left him equal with the Ferraris, rather than pulling away into the distance. Last year he was in a position which most drivers could only dream of. He would easily won the championship but unnecessary mistakes in China and Brazil undid all his hard work in the previous races. He has carried the great performances and bad mistakes into the 2008 season but has not yet mastered the art of ignoring the press. The tabloid stories this year has affected him. As long as he can put the pressure behind him and get on and drive, he will bring this championship down to the very end.Robert Kubica
The Polish driver has amazed everyone this year including himself. A massively improved BMW
has left the driver that everyone had written off before the season come only 2 points away from the top three. Has has completely out performed his more experienced teammate, who is struggling with tyre temperatures in qualifying. He grabbed his first win in Canada and came close in Monaco but being 10 points ahead of his teammate has left his well and truly in the battle. As usual, the pole is saying he wont stand a chance when it comes to the championship decider and the car isn't far enough. But hes come this far and he does stand a chance if he can keep up the results for the remainder of the races.
has left the driver that everyone had written off before the season come only 2 points away from the top three. Has has completely out performed his more experienced teammate, who is struggling with tyre temperatures in qualifying. He grabbed his first win in Canada and came close in Monaco but being 10 points ahead of his teammate has left his well and truly in the battle. As usual, the pole is saying he wont stand a chance when it comes to the championship decider and the car isn't far enough. But hes come this far and he does stand a chance if he can keep up the results for the remainder of the races.So there we are. Four drivers all with a shot at the championship. The next nine races will decide who comes out on top. The more immediate battle is who will come out on top at the Hockenhiemring. Hamilton is on pole with Massa right behind him and Kubica and Raikkonen having their own battle, which they could bring forward. Who will get the best start of Part 2 of the championship? Its been a very long time, but these four drivers won't be going anywhere. Its gonna go down to the wire.
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