It is sad in many ways because we could cope with another team and they would have been a good asset to the grid. It is a shame that there are two drivers that won't get to field there skills out there as well, because it would have be nice to see a couple more guys on the grid. But that is the politics of it and is something we have got to understand has happened. I am sure Prodrive will be working to make sure they can get to the grid as soon as possible. There is a lot more to come out on that side of things though.

Crash.net:
What should we expect from Lewis Hamilton and McLaren? Can he repeat what he did in 2007?

MB:
He can repeat what he did in '07 and a little bit more providing the tools are available to him. That is the big question mark when we are going into a new season. We just have to wait and see if the new equipment has got the performance needed and if so Lewis has got what it takes to get the job done. He has definitely experienced all the highs and lows and has experienced a lot going on outside the team as well - more so than many drivers experience over a whole career of grand prix racing. There is no doubt he has got the potential to step up. Whether he has got the potential to be team leader I am not too sure. It might be a little bit too much too soon but we will have to wait and see what McLaren give him to drive first.

Crash.net:
Will McLaren miss Fernando Alonso's input and experience in terms of developing the car?

MB:
It will be difficult for them in many ways because they don't have the experience there. But it is dependent on where the car is. If the car rolls out and it is good out of the box then that role will be minimised because they won't have to rely so much on the experience and the depth to pull the team along and give them direction. It is one of those scenarios until the first wheel turns we don't really have any clue. But it is always going to be handy to have a double world champion and several times grand prix winner on your books.

Crash.net:
Kimi Raikkonen has got that first title in the bag now - will that give him an added edge?

MB:
It will give him a level of confidence and a level of credibility in the paddock to go out there and fight again for another world championship. Everybody knew he was probably one of the fastest drivers on the circuit. They were just concerns whether he had the level of commitment to finish it all off. That has been proven now and with that he walks in knowing he is number one and I think he can carry on in that same guise. It really will be exciting to see whether he is going to have the hunger to go for another world championship. He will have a hungry team-mate alongside him. There is a lot to look forward to on that front.

Crash.net:
A lot of teams will be looking to improve, how important is it for Honda to make a giant leap - and how much will Ross Brawn help them?

MB:
Ross Brawn is a great asset but it will be a while before any influence comes through. As I have said before, things don't happen overnight. It takes a lot of understanding of producing the right set-up and package of people and infrastructure to move forward. So don't expect fireworks straight off the back of his signing. But I do expect to see some progress and towards the end of the season see something that is lining them up to be sensible contenders for the year after.

Crash.net:
Finally and you got this right last year by opting for Kimi and Ferrari, who do you think will win the 2008 drivers' and constructors' titles?

MB:
I am going to go with Felipe Massa for the drivers' title and I am going to go with Ferrari again for the constructors. We will see though...


Coming in 2008: More thoughts from Mark, in his regular and exclusive columns on Crash.net