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Lewis Hamilton and McLaren are back in business after coming dangerously close to disaster in 2007, both on and off the track. A victory in the opening Grand Prix of 2008 in Australia on Sunday has not only brightened the Formula One mood, but also bolstered hopes for another exciting season.
Hamilton was faultless when everyone around him were either faltering or fumbling at almost every corner of Albert Park. He was awesome on an awful day for many drivers when the safety car came out three times and only seven cars were running on the final lap. It was a Schumacher-like performance. Or Barack Obama, if you prefer.
Moreover, Hamilton was remarkably mature, measured and methodical while it was mayhem right behind him as the challenge of racing for the first time without electronic assistance like traction control and engine braking claimed its victims.
The two Ferrari drivers, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, were found wanting under pressure while even hardened veterans like David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello, who is set to create a new record for Grand Slam starts later in the year, were forced into indiscretion when the going got difficult.
Barrichello was penalised twice and later disqualified for exiting the pit lane when the red light was on. Just before that the Brazilian was involved in another incident when he accelerated even before the fuel hose was taken off his car giving the crew scrum a big scare.
Red Bull's Coulthard, on the other hand, was virtually driven off the track by an out-of-control Massa while Toyota's Timo Glock was involved in a spectacular, self-inflicted crash which destroyed his car.
None of this mayhem seemed to affect Hamilton. He was cool and in control right through the race. Unlike in China and Brazil last season, the 23-year-old was assured under adversity and this in the ultimate analysis proved decisive. This victory will certainly be rated as the best of his five so far in 18 races.
But there was much more for Hamilton in Sunday's victory. At one level, it proved that he was not a one-season wonder having reached the cusp of history last season - nine podium finishes in his first nine races in Formula One and then losing the title by a mere point.
At another, far more important, level, Hamilton proved that he is a fast learner. It is not enough to be just a promising driver. Realising one's full potential is the name of the game. And Hamilton seems to have reflected on this aspect during the break in seasons.
Take the last two races of last season in China and Brazil. Hamilton was 12 points ahead and all that he needed was two safe races to become the first driver to win the driver's title on debut.
But worn out tyres cost him the race in China and then in Brazil his gears failed to engage and forced him to cruise for 40 seconds at a crucial period in the race. The former was a team mistake and the latter a technical glitch. But Hamilton could have prevented both if he had insisted on fresh tyres in the first instance and been more circumspect in the second.
At the end of the last season, Hamilton may have been sadder, but I suspect also stronger. The new season has already begun on a victory note for the youngster. It's now time to prove that he is not just a promising driver, but also a possible champion.
Coming back to Sunday's race. Another remarkable feature of it was that the first four drivers belonged to four different teams - McLaren (Hamilton), BMW (Nick Heidfeld), Williams (Nico Rosberg) and Renault (Fernando Alonso) - a remarkable rarity when 1-2s are common.
This also points towards a fierce and competitive season with mouth-watering one-on-one rivalry on the cards. Hamilton and McLaren have already set a hot pace, BMW is proving to be stronger than expected and the Williams rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Ferrari may have struggled on Sunday, but the Italian team cannot be easily discounted. Raikkonen has already provided glimpses of what he is capable of while Massa will be eager to prove that he too can handle his car without electronic aides.
Finally, the move of the day on a memorable Sunday was pulled off by Hamilton's co-driver Heikki Kovalainen. In a breath-taking second at the closing stages of the race, the Finn was all over Alonso before overtaking with a lot of finesse.
But the very next second, Kovalainen made the mistake of hitting the pitlane speed-limit button and lost the pace. The Spaniard seized the moment and won his place back to finish a credible fourth. It was all over in a jiffy.
You missed it? Don't worry, the season has only begun and we have another 17 Grands Prix to go - and one in Bahrain on April 6 - and much, much more action in store.
