The first race of the 2008 season, the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified on pole and won the race. having position. In the Bahrain, Hamilton destroyed his car during a practice crash. He used a spare chassis and took third place in qualifying. In the race, he crashed into the back of Alonso's car and finished 13th. He was back on the podium in Spain finishing third. Hamilton finished second in Turkey, and won the Monaco Grand Prix a two weeks later, putting him back into the championship lead.