Who will have the edge?

ITALIAN GP, MONZASeptember 14

The one circuit on the calendar that requires even more full-throttle running than Spa-Francorchamps, venue of the Belgian GP. Keep in mind that Ferrari will have the psychological benefit of competing on their home track and, more significantly, that Massa’s car will be fitted with a new engine for this first race of the next two-race cycle

Hamilton or Massa?

Massa likely to give the Prancing Horse a home victory.

SINGAPORE GP, MARINA BAYSeptember 28

On the face of it all bets are off for the first race on the new Singapore waterfront circuit which will also be the first Formula One race on the calendar to be held after dark under floodlights. Ultimately, it will all come down to which team has done the most accurate pre-event simulation work and which driver can best adapt to the challenge of an unknown environment.

Hamilton or Massa?

Hamilton. On balance his current momentum and unique flair will give him a slight edge.

JAPANESE GP, MOUNT FUJIOctober 12

Very much a circuit of two distinct parts, dominated by a long start/finish straight which is supplemented by a succession of twisty corners, which means that big compromises will be required when it comes to aerodynamic and suspension setups. Last year’s race was run in torrential rain and was dominated by Hamilton’s McLaren.

Hamilton or Massa?

Hamilton. Wet or dry he seemed to master this revised circuit last year.

CHINESE GP, SHANGHAIOctober 19

A challenging circuit with a wide range of tricky corners and, oddly, a venue at which the great Michael Schumacher never seemed much at home. Also the scene of one of Hamilton’s biggest failures last year when he slid into the gravel trap at the pit-lane entrance at what seemed little more than walking pace as he hurried in to change badly worn tyres.

Hamilton or Massa?

Hamilton. Before his mistake in last year’s race he had built a commanding lead.

BRAZILIAN GP, INTERLAGOSNovember 2

Bumpy, rutted and rather ramshackle circuit on the edge of Sao Paulo on which Massa won in 2006 and might well have repeated the success last year had not Raikkonen slipped by at the last round of refuelling stops to take the victory. A track simply steeped in Brazilian motor racing folklore.

Hamilton or Massa?

Massa, fuelled by nationalistic adrenaline as much as by his Ferrari’s Shell petrol.

Maurice Hamilton/© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2008