Pitpass would like to wish all its readers a very, very happy and prosperous New Year, and a great season of racing in 2009.

In 2008, the site continued to attract new readers, helping it to maintain its position as the leading fully independent Formula One website.

Our growing readership, much like our relationships with most of the teams and other F1 insiders, is down to the fact that we continue to do our utmost to remain independent and to give our readers the truth, preferring to check out the facts rather than opting for sensational headlines and re-hashing rumours. We don't always get it right - we don't pretend to - but you have our word that we will always try our very best.

Although we are deadly serious about bringing you the truth, we remain passionate about the sport and therefore feel that occasionally we have to make a comment when F1 begins to take itself just a little too seriously. F1 might be a multi-billion pound empire, but at its heart it remains a sport, and sport should be fun.

Pitpass does not have the resources of its rivals, which are usually part of a major publishing or broadcasting group, therefore we are delighted to be ranked 5th overall in Formula Money's 2008 list of the most popular Formula One news websites, the four leaders each being part of a major broadcasting, publishing or internet group.

We don't have the resources to advertise, which means that new readers who found us in 2008 did so thanks to 'word of mouth' recommendation. Surely there can be no better advertisement than a satisfied customer.

We look forward to bringing you coverage of another great season of F1, GP2, GP2 Asia and A1 Grand Prix in 2009, and hope that you will continue to spread the word… after all, every motor sport fan wants a Pitpass.

Chris Balfe
Editor