The Formula 1 circuit returns to its roots this Sunday with the French Grand Prix. This race was first held in 1906, and it’s been on the F1 calendar since the World Championship was established in 1950.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen is the heavy favorite at 5-4, followed by teammate Felipe Massa at 15-8. They’ve combined to win four of the seven races this season, and Raikkonen is the defending champion at Magny-Cours. But neither man is leading the driver standings; Robert Kubica (6-1) of BMW Sauber is in first, followed by McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton (8-1).

Kubica is coming off a big victory at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Hamilton has the other two first-place results, but has been penalized 10 places on the starting grid following a in Canada. Even so, with thunderstorms in the forecast for Sunday, anything can happen – just ask Kubica, who won his first-ever F1 race in Montreal.

The 2008 F1 season will kick off in Melbourne, Australia on March 16. Being its still a far ways away people are still talking about things like Lewis Hamilton will win the 2008 title or Kimi Raikkonen will win the title for the second straight season.

According to Max Mosley, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, he’s stated his belief that Lewis Hamilton will dominate. He’s even said that the British driver will be even better than Michael Schumacher once Hamilton’s career is over.

“If you are thinking about drivers dispassionately, it was Raikkonen’s turn more than Hamilton’s,” Mosley said when speaking about last season’s championship when Raikkonen caught the 2007 title away from both Alonso and Hamilton.

“But Hamilton will get plenty of turns. Unless something goes dramatically wrong, he will win several Championships. If he races for as long as Schumacher did then he may very well beat his record, but there are some very good, young drivers about, so he’s not going to have an easy time.”