The 2008 Formula 1 World Championship was the 62nd season of FIA Formula 1 motor racing. It featured 18 races, the most in a season at that time. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) won his first World Drivers' Championship by one point over Felipe Massa (Ferrari), in a dramatic season finale in Brazil. Ferrari won the Constructors' Championship.
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) won the Australian Grand Prix from pole position, starting the season with a dominant victory. Nick Heidfeld finished second and Nico Rosberg third.
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) won the Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position, ahead of teammate Kimi Räikkönen and Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber). It was Massa's first win of the season.
Super Aguri F1 officially withdrew from Formula 1 due to financial difficulties, reducing the grid from 22 to 20 cars. The team had competed since 2006.
Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix despite starting third on the grid and making contact with the barrier early in the race. He extended his championship lead.
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton crashed into Kimi Räikkönen at the end of the pit lane while the red light was showing, eliminating both. Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) went on to claim his first and only F1 victory.
The European Grand Prix was held on a new street circuit in Valencia, Spain. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) won from pole position, with Hamilton finishing second.
The Singapore Grand Prix became Formula 1's first night race. Fernando Alonso (Renault) won after teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed, triggering a safety car that benefited Alonso's strategy. The 'Crashgate' scandal was later revealed in 2009.
At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa won the race and appeared to have secured the championship, but Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock for fifth place on the final corner of the final lap, clinching the World Drivers' Championship by a single point (98 to 97). It was one of the most dramatic finishes in F1 history.
