Complete calendar with 20 races
The 2012 Formula 1 season stands as one of the most unpredictable and closely-fought championships in modern history, with seven different drivers winning the opening seven races - a record that exemplified the competitive parity across the field. Sebastian Vettel ultimately secured his third consecutive World Championship in a dramatic finale at Interlagos, overcoming a first-lap incident and a significant points deficit to triumph by just three points over Fernando Alonso in one of the sport's greatest comeback drives.
The season's early chaos and competitiveness was unprecedented, with Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Pastor Maldonado, Mark Webber, and Lewis Hamilton all claiming victories in the opening seven rounds. This remarkable spread of success reflected the field's competitive balance, as teams struggled to understand Pirelli's rapidly-degrading tires and optimize their cars' performance windows. The unpredictability extended throughout the first half of the season, with five drivers holding the championship lead at various points, creating genuine uncertainty about the eventual outcome.
Fernando Alonso emerged as the season's most consistent performer, driving the Ferrari F2012 - widely acknowledged as only the third or fourth-fastest car - to remarkable heights through sheer brilliance and racecraft. His three victories, including a masterful wet-weather performance in Malaysia and a dominant display at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, showcased his talent at extracting maximum performance from inferior machinery. Alonso led the championship for much of the season, building a 40-point advantage at one stage, and appeared poised to claim his third World Championship heading into the final rounds.
Sebastian Vettel's championship surge in the season's closing stages was devastating and decisive. After trailing Alonso by 39 points with seven races remaining, the German driver reeled off four consecutive victories in Singapore, Japan, Korea, and India, transforming the championship picture. The Red Bull RB8, which had been competitive but not dominant early in the season, became increasingly formidable as Adrian Newey's design evolved, particularly after key aerodynamic updates. Vettel's run of form demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure and capitalize on Red Bull's improving pace.
The Brazilian Grand Prix finale at Interlagos provided one of the most dramatic championship deciders in F1 history. Vettel needed only to finish ahead of Alonso to claim the title, but on lap one, Bruno Senna's errant Williams tagged the Red Bull at Turn 4, sending Vettel spinning to 22nd position with damage to his left sidepod. As Alonso rode the chaos to second place behind race winner Jenson Button, Vettel mounted a heroic recovery drive, carving through the field in treacherous wet conditions. His sixth-place finish was enough to secure the championship by three points, making him, at 25, the youngest triple World Champion in history.
Lewis Hamilton claimed four victories for McLaren, including commanding performances in Canada, Hungary, Italy, and the United States, but reliability issues and operational errors cost him a genuine title challenge. His decision to leave McLaren for Mercedes in 2013 was announced mid-season, adding intrigue to the paddock dynamics. Kimi Raikkonen proved remarkably consistent in his comeback season with Lotus, winning in Abu Dhabi and claiming multiple podiums, while Jenson Button's three victories highlighted McLaren's pace when the package came together. Pastor Maldonado provided the season's biggest shock with Williams' first victory since 2004 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Constructors' Championship battle saw Red Bull Racing secure their third consecutive title, though not without serious challenges from McLaren and Ferrari. The season also marked the final year for HRT, who failed to score a point before folding, while Marussia and Caterham continued their development as new teams. Technical controversies around flexible bodywork and exhaust-blown diffusers provided ongoing intrigue, as teams pushed the regulatory boundaries in search of performance advantages. The 2012 season's combination of unpredictability, dramatic championship swings, and a nail-biting finale made it one of the most memorable campaigns of the modern era.