Bettor Special: An insight into top five drivers of the 2012 F1 season – Formula 1 Special
The Formula 1 World Championship is becoming more and more exciting with each passing season. F1 experts think that the 2012 F1 season was as good as it could get. The last three F1 seasons have witnessed one team dominating the drivers’ and constructors’
championships. Red Bull Racing became the fourth team in history of F1 to secure three F1 titles in a row at the end of 2012.
However, for the first time in a long run of seasons, the F1 grid had a total of six championship winning drivers competing against each other namely the legendary seven-time champion, Michael Schumacher, Vettel, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button,
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, and Lotus F1’s Kimi Raikkonen.
However, winning a championship does not necessarily mean that you will be able to give your best performance each year since a driver is as good as his last race, something which is justified by the disappointing end to Schumacher’s career at the end of
this past season.
Bettor.com now reviews the top five performers of the absolutely thrilling and highly competitive 2012 Formula 1 season.
1. Fernando Alonso
It is true that Alonso did not win the championship this season but majority of the F1 community including the 12 F1 team bosses have voted him as the best driver on the grid. Alonso dominated the championship until the summer break and entered the Belgian
Grand Prix with a 40-point lead over Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber.
However, his retirements in Hungary and Japan did weaken his lead enough for Vettel to overtake him in the championship. The second reason was the F2012 that failed to support the Spanish driver but still he took the best out of it and kept the title fight
alive right until the season finale which is one of the major reasons he is voted as the top driver of 2012.
2. Sebastian Vettel
The German driver did not begin the season on a good not as he greatly struggled with his RB8 and it was unsure if he would be able to defend his championship.
However, he took the lead over Alonso in the second half of the season winning four consecutive races as he got he got his car under control. The best thing about Vettel’s performance this year was his ability to come back on top within such a short time
and also the way he proved his driving capabilities to his critics when he survived some critical situations.
3. Kimi Raikkonen
Raikkonen made a comeback after a gap of two seasons and valiantly proved to the F1 community that his interest in the sport was still very much alive. He displayed a consistent performance as he completed all the twenty races and also scored championship
points in all but one race. He also won the Abu Dhabi GP that marked his first race victory in a long time. His third finish in the drivers’ championship puts him in the list of drivers that can challenge Vettel for the championship next season.
4. Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton’s season was full of ups and downs but there is no doubt that the 2008 F1 champion displayed great determination and did not give up despite the poor condition of the McLaren car. The car was stricken with constant reliability issues resulting in
Hamilton’s retirement from many races including sometimes from the lead. His determination for scoring a single point in Korea despite a major problem in his car will always be remembered by McLaren.
5. Jenson Button
Button was again driving the same car as Hamilton but did give McLaren a strong a start and end to the 2012 F1 season. He began the season by winning the Australian GP and ended it by winning the Brazilian GP after Hamilton had to retire from lead. With
Hamilton’s exit from McLaren, Button will be leading the team which is something he is very excited about.
The F1 community is now looking forward to the new 2013 season and given the unpredictability of F1, only time will tell which drivers will come out on top next year.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect bettor.com’s official editorial policy.
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