2012 Formula One World Championship

Motor racing championship F1 2012 the video game based on the 2012 Formula One season F1 2012 (video game) November 2017 January 2023 2012 Drivers' Champion: Sebastian VettelConstructors' Champion: Red Bull-Renault GP2 Series GP3 SeriesPorsche Supercup 3 450 Sebastian Vettel 2012 Bahrain GP.jpg Reigning Champion Sebastian Vettel became a three-time World Champion with Red Bull Racing. Fernando Alonso Bahrain.jpg Two-time Champion Fernando Alonso, driving for Ferrari, finished runner-up, three points behind Vettel. Kimi Räikkönen Moscow 2013.jpg 2007 Champion Kimi Räikkönen (pictured in 2013) finished the season in third place on his return to F1, driving for Lotus. Sebastian Vettel 2012 Malaysia FP1.jpg Red Bull won their third Constructors Title. Fernando Alonso 2012 Malaysia FP1.jpg Ferrari finished second in the Constructors Standings. Lewis Hamilton 2012 Malaysia FP1.jpg Despite having the fastest car on the grid, McLaren finished third in the Constructors as a result of many reliability issues and mechanical gremlins. The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 66th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 63rd FIA Formula One World Championship, a motor racing series for Formula One cars, recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of motorsport – as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. The championship was contested over twenty rounds, which started in Australia on 18 March and ended in Brazil on 25 November. The 2012 season saw the return of the United States Grand Prix, which was held at the Circuit of the Americas, a purpose-built circuit in Austin, Texas. After being cancelled in 2011 due to civil protests, the Bahrain Grand Prix also returned to the calendar.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92109 Bahrain gives up on 2011 race Autosport Haymarket Publications 9 June 2011 6 March 2012 Jonathan Noble The early season was tumultuous, with seven different drivers winning the first seven races of the championship; a record for the series. It was not until the European Grand Prix in June that a driver, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, won his second race of the year, and with it, emerged as a championship contender. Alonso maintained his hold on the championship lead for the next seven races, taking his third win in Germany and finishing on the podium in the United Kingdom, Italy and Singapore. However, costly first-lap retirements in Belgium and Japan allowed his rivals to catch up, and defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel – like Alonso, a two-time title winner – took the lead in the sixteenth race of the season. Vettel, too, encountered difficulties throughout the season; contact with a backmarker left him to finish outside the points in Malaysia, while alternator failures at the European and Italian Grands Prix cost him valuable points and exclusion from qualifying in Abu Dhabi led him to start from the pit lane. Vettel entered the final race of the season with a thirteen-point lead over Alonso. Alonso needed a podium finish to stand any chance of becoming World Drivers' Champion, but in a race of attrition that finished under the safety car, Vettel finished in sixth place, scoring enough points to win his third consecutive championship, becoming just the third driver in the sport's sixty-three-year history to do so. In the World Constructors' Championship, Red Bull Racing secured their third consecutive title when Sebastian Vettel finished second at the United States Grand Prix. In addition to seeing seven different drivers win the first seven races, the 2012 season broke several records. The calendar for the season included twenty races, breaking the previous record of nineteen, which was first set in 2005. Six current or former World Drivers' Champions – Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, and Michael Schumacher – started the season, breaking the record of five established in 1970.Comeback Räikkönen: a record number of champions http://www.gpnow.com/formula1/9053/comeback-raikkonen-a-record-number-of-champions/ https://archive.today/20120906130000/http://www.gpnow.com/formula1/9053/comeback-raikkonen-a-record-number-of-champions/ dead 6 September 2012 Frances Vermeeren GP Now 29 November 2011 29 May 2012 This was the last season for 7-time world champion, Michael Schumacher as he announced his retirement from Formula One for the second time, after the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. Teams and drivers The following twelve teams and twenty-five race drivers competed in the 2012 Formula One World Championship.2012 Formula 1 Teams and Drivers http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/ Formula 1.com Formula One Management 20 March 2012 20 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120322074333/http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/ 22 March 2012 The FIA published a provisional entry list on 30 November 2011,https://web.archive.org/web/20121117055649/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2011/Pages/f1-entry-2012.aspx http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2011/Pages/f1-entry-2012.aspx dead 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship Entry List 17 November 2012 30 November 2011 31 January 2014 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and the grid was finalised on 17 February.http://caterhamf1.com/news/2012/vitaly-petrov-joins-caterham-f1-team Vitaly Petrov Joins Caterham F1 Team 17 February 2012 Caterham F1 17 February 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120807224717/http://caterhamf1.com/news/2012/vitaly-petrov-joins-caterham-f1-team 7 August 2012 All teams competed with tyres supplied by Pirelli.Collins Sam Formula 1 2012 Tyres https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/formula-1-2012-tyres/ Racecar Engineering 17 March 2012 21 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20120407232941/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/formula-1-2012-tyres 7 April 2012 Entrant Constructor Chassis Engine No. Car number Race Drivers RoundsAUT Red Bull Racing RenaultRed Bull-RenaultRB8 Renault RS27-20121DEU Sebastian VettelHorner pleased to end Vettel rumours http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89914 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 March 2011 14 March 2011All2AUS Mark Webberhttp://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/Webber-Signs-With-Red-Bull-For-2012-021243074602362 Webber Signs With Red Bull For 2012 27 August 2011 Red Bull Racing 27 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20121008065539/http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/Webber-Signs-With-Red-Bull-For-2012-021243074602362 8 October 2012 live AllGBR Vodafone McLaren MercedesMcLaren-MercedesMP4-27Mercedes FO 108Z3GBR Jenson Button http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95051 Button secures new multi-year contract at McLaren Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 5 October 2011 5 October 2011All4GBR Lewis Hamiltonhttp://www.manipef1.com/news/articles/5919/ Lewis extends McLaren stay until 2012 Manipe F1 18 January 2008 19 May 2008 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20090211060031/http://www.manipef1.com/news/articles/5919/ 11 February 2009 AllITA Scuderia FerrariFerrariF2012Ferrari Type 0565ESP Fernando AlonsoFernando Alonso signs for Ferrari http://www.ferrari.com/English/TS/News/Pages/090930_F1_News_1.aspx Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 30 September 2009 23 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223213923/http://www.ferrari.com/English/TS/News/Pages/090930_F1_News_1.aspx 23 February 2012 dead All6BRA Felipe MassaMassa extends Ferrari contract until '12 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84244 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 9 June 2010 9 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100611122658/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84244 11 June 2010 liveAllDEU Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 TeamMercedesF1 W03Mercedes FO 108Z7DEU Michael Schumacherhttp://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/7532.html Schumacher could stay in F1 after 2012 Espnf1.com 27 January 2010 25 July 2010All8DEU Nico Rosberghttp://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/63741.html Rosberg extends Mercedes contract 10 November 2011 EspnF1.con ESPN 10 November 2011AllGBR Lotus F1 TeamLotus-RenaultE20Renault RS27-20129FIN Kimi Räikkönenhttp://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/8034-Kimi-Raikkonen-back-in-F1-with.html?lang=en Kimi Räikkönen back in F1 with LRGP in 2012 29 November 2011 Lotus Renault GP 29 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111201214646/http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/8034-Kimi-Raikkonen-back-in-F1-with.html?lang=en 1 December 2011 usurpedAll10FRA 1974 Romain GrosjeanRomain Grosjean joins Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus Renault for 2012 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96698 Autosport Haymarket Publications 9 December 2011 9 December 2011 1–12, 14–20BEL Jérôme d'AmbrosioJerome d'Ambrosio to stand in for Grosjean at Monza http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/04/jerome-dambrosio-romain-grosjean-lotus-f1-monza/ Keith Monza F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 4 September 2012 4 September 201213IND Sahara Force India F1 Team Force India-MercedesVJM05Mercedes FO 108Z11GBR Paul di Restahttp://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/12/12903.html Hulkenberg joins Di Resta in Force India's 2012 line-up 16 December 2011 16 December 2011 Formula One Administration dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120105144908/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/12/12903.html 5 January 2012 All12DEU Nico HülkenbergAllCHE Sauber F1 TeamSauber-FerrariC31Ferrari Type 05614JPN Kamui KobayashiKobayashi and Perez to stay at Sauber in 2012 http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/7/12364.html Formula One World Championship 28 July 2011 28 July 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111016101954/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/7/12364.html 16 October 2011 All15MEX Sergio PérezAllITA Scuderia Toro RossoToro Rosso-FerrariSTR7Ferrari Type 05616AUS Daniel Ricciardohttps://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/ricciardo-earns-toro-rosso-ride/news-story/1b9bb6fed1165848c4f00f2675662376 Ricciardo earns Toro Rosso ride Agence France-Presse The Australian News Limited 15 December 2011 2011-12-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20111215043813/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/ricciardo-earns-toro-rosso-ride/story-e6frg7mf-1226222609044 subscription live 15 December 2011All17FRA 1974 Jean-Éric VergneAllGBR Williams F1 TeamWilliams-RenaultFW34Renault RS27-201218VEN Pastor Maldonadohttp://www.attwilliams.com/news/view/2028 Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver Williams F1 1 December 2011 1 December 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111203214900/http://www.attwilliams.com/news/view/2028 3 December 2011 All19BRA Bruno Sennahttp://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97056 Williams confirms Bruno Senna will race for the team in F1 in 2012 Autosport Haymarket Publications Elizalde Pablo 17 January 2012 17 January 2012AllMYS Caterham F1 TeamCaterham-RenaultCT01Renault RS27-201220FIN Heikki Kovalainen15 September 2011 Pit & Paddock: Third year for Trulli and Kovalainen Autosport 205 11 12 Haymarket Publications Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli will continue to drive for Team Lotus next season. Trulli was, as expected, officially announced as a 2012 driver by the team last weekend, while team boss Tony Fernandes confirmed to Autosport that Kovalainen will also be staying on.All21RUS Vitaly PetrovAllESP HRT Formula 1 TeamHRT-CosworthF112Cosworth CA201222ESP Pedro de la Rosahttp://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96383 Matt Beer Pedro de la Rosa signs for HRT from 2012 Autosport Haymarket Publications 21 November 2011 21 November 2011All23IND Narain Karthikeyanhttp://hispaniaracing.com/news.php?nid=622 Narain Karthikeyan completes HRTs lineup for 2012 3 February 2012 HRT F1 3 February 2012AllRUS Marussia F1 TeamMarussia-CosworthMR01Cosworth CA201224DEU Timo GlockTimo Glock has re-signed with Virgin on a new three-year deal http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93317 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 July 2011 24 July 2011All25FRA 1974 Charles Pichttp://www.marussiavirginracing.com/news/514/charles-pic-ked Marussia Virgin Racing Completes 2012 Race Driver Line-up 27 November 2011 Virgin Racing 27 November 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111129193926/http://www.marussiavirginracing.com/news/514/charles-pic-ked 29 November 2011 All Free practice drivers Eight drivers were entered by teams as third or test drivers during Friday practice sessions: + Drivers who took part in free practice sessions during the 2012 FIA Formula One World ChampionshipConstructorPractice driversDriver nameRoundsCaterham-RenaultNED Giedo van der GardeUSA Alexander Rossi 3, 15–18, 205Force India-MercedesFRA Jules Bianchi 3, 5, 8–11, 13, 16, 18Hispania-CosworthESP Dani ClosCHN Ma Qinghua 5, 9–12, 1613–14, 18–19Marussia-CosworthGBR Max Chilton 18Sauber-FerrariMEX Esteban Gutiérrez 17Williams-RenaultFIN Valtteri Bottas 2–5, 8–13, 15–18, 20 Sources:27 January 2012 Jules Bianchi joins Sahara Force India as reserve driver for 2012 Force India http://www.forceindiaf1.com/article.html?ID=567 dead 27 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120205194543/http://www.forceindiaf1.com/article.html?ID=567 5 February 2012http://www.caterhamf1.com/news/2012/alexander-rossi-confirmed-as-test-driver Alexander Rossi confirmed as Caterham F1 Team Test Driver 9 March 2012 Caterham F1 9 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210419/http://www.caterhamf1.com/news/2012/alexander-rossi-confirmed-as-test-driver 29 October 2013 Ma Qing Hua to drive for HRT in Monza practice http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/05/ma-qing-hua-drive-hrt-monza-practice/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 5 September 2012 5 September 2012http://hrtf1team.com/en/noticias/dani-clos-se-incorpora-al-hrt-f1-team-como-piloto-de-pruebas.html Dani Clos joins HRT F1 Team as its new test driver for 2012 13 February 2012 HRT F1 13 February 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121107112716/http://hrtf1team.com/en/noticias/dani-clos-se-incorpora-al-hrt-f1-team-como-piloto-de-pruebas.html 7 November 2012 http://www.marussiaf1team.com/news/663/ Standing By 20 September 2012 Marussia F1 20 September 2012 We are very happy to announce that rising star, Max Chilton, has been elevated from our Young Driver Programme to the position of Formula 1 Reserve Driver with effect from the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix next month and for the rest of the current F1 season. dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121007034118/http://www.marussiaf1team.com/news/663/ 7 October 2012 Team changes right vertical 2012 Canadian GP - Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 01.jpg 220 Romain Grosjean 2012 Malaysia FP2 2.jpg 220 2012 Canadian Grand Prix Charles Pic Marussia MR01.jpg 220 Three teams changed their names for 2012: Team Lotus became known as Caterham (top); Renault was renamed as Lotus (middle); and Virgin Racing changed its name to Marussia (bottom).Caterham, Lotus and Marussia name changes approved http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/11/03/caterham-lotus-and-marussia-name-changes-approved/ Adam Cooper Adam Cooper's F1 Blog WordPress 3 November 2011 4 November 2011 At the November 2011 meeting of the Formula One Commission in Geneva, several teams were given permission to change their constructor names – the name recognised by the FIA as the entity that effectively owns the team, and to which all results for that team are creditedhttp://www.fia.com/resources/documents/149730155__2007_F1_SPORTING_REGULATIONS.pdf 2007 Formula One Sporting Regulations FIA 7 February 2012 Article 6.3: The constructor of an engine or chassis is the person (including any corporate or unincorporated body) which owns the intellectual rights to such engine or chassis. The make of an engine or chassis is the name attributed to it by its constructor. If the make of the chassis is not the same as that of the engine, the title will be awarded to the former which shall always precede the latter in the name of the car. dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110804222124/http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/149730155__2007_F1_SPORTING_REGULATIONS.pdf 4 August 2011 (.pdf) – with final approval from the World Motor Sport Council granted in December of that year:Formula 1 chiefs approve name changes for Lotus, Renault and Virgin http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95874 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 November 2011 4 November 2011 Lotus became known as Caterham, reflecting team principal Tony Fernandes's purchase of Caterham Cars.http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/46803.html Tony Fernandes buys Caterham 25 March 2012 2011 en.espnf1.comhttp://www.ausmotive.com/2011/04/27/team-lotus-confirms-caterham-takeover.html Team Lotus confirms Caterham takeover 25 March 2012 2011 AUSmotive.com Renault changed its constructor name to Lotus after Lotus Cars expanded its title sponsorship program to include teams in Formula One and support series GP2 and GP3.http://www.gp2series.com/News-Room/News/2012/01_January/Lotus-ART-becomes-Lotus-GP-in-2012/ Lotus ART becomes Lotus GP in 2012 GP2 Series GP2 Motorsport Limited 10 January 2012 8 February 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120118054535/http://www.gp2series.com/News-Room/News/2012/01_January/Lotus-ART-becomes-Lotus-GP-in-2012/ 18 January 2012 Virgin became Marussia, following increased ownership of the team by Russian sports car manufacturer Marussia Motors.Russian car maker takes stake in Virgin http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88125 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 11 November 2010 25 March 2012Russian supercar firm Marussia takes over Virgin Racing https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9178539.stm Sarah Holt BBC Sport Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi 11 November 2010 25 March 2012 As a result of the name changes, Team Lotus and Lotus Renault GP declared that their ongoing dispute over the use of the Lotus name was over after they had reached an "amicable conclusion".Group Lotus Plc and Proton Holdings Berhad, 1Malaysia Racing Team, Caterham Cars and Tony Fernandes http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/843201/b7d630976e/ARCHIVE 9 November 2011 9 November 2011 Although the exact terms of the settlement were kept confidential, the joint statement detailed the transfer of the rights to the Lotus and Team Lotus names to Group Lotus's ownership.Lotus confirms 2012 name change to Caterham http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/11/09/lotus-confirms-2012-change-caterham/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 9 November 2011 9 November 2011 Williams announced that they would be using Renault engines for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, with an option to use Renault engines again in 2014 under the next generation of engine regulations.Williams to run Renault engines again from 2012 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92843 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 4 July 2011 4 July 2011 Renault had previously supplied engines to Williams from 1989 to 1997, when the team won four World Drivers' Championships and five World Constructors' Championships. Following their worst season in their thirty-year historyWilliams fall into F1's vicious cycle http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/09/2011-f1-season-review-williams/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 9 December 2011 3 February 2012 – in which they finished ninth in the World Constructors' Championship with just five points – the team underwent a technical review, employing former McLaren designer Mike Coughlan (having served his suspension for his role in the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy) as Chief Designer, and promoting Jason Somerville to Head of Aerodynamics.Williams appoints new technical staff for 2012 car http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/06/28/williams-appoints-technical-staff-2012-car/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 28 June 2011 3 February 2012 Likewise, Marussia (then known as Virgin Racing) underwent a restructuring, splitting with Wirth Research mid-season after a technical review by Marussia Motors and the board of directors.http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/6/12129.html Virgin to break ties with technical partners Wirth Formula One Association 2 February 2011 25 August 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110629025159/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/6/12129.html 29 June 2011 The team also announced a technical partnership with McLaren that granted them access to McLaren's testing facilities as well as the purchase of Wirth Research facilities.Virgin enters into technical partnership with McLaren http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92832 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 4 July 2011 25 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110717182622/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92832 17 July 2011 live In the week before the 2011 Indian Grand Prix, Force India announced that the Sahara Group had purchased a 42.5% stake in the team, valued at US$100 million.http://www.forceindiaf1.com/index/page_id/356/news_id/677 Sahara India Pariwar announces co-ownership of the Force India Formula One Team with Dr. Vijay Mallya Force India 12 October 2011 12 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111114120525/http://www.forceindiaf1.com/index/page_id/356/news_id/677 14 November 2011 dead The investment gave the Sahara Group and team principal Vijay Mallya an equal stake in the team, with team director Michiel Mol controlling the remaining 15% of the team. Under the terms of the sale, the Sahara Group became Force India's naming-rights sponsor. Mercedes GP also changed the name of their team, announcing that they were to become known as Mercedes AMG. The new name originates from AMG, Mercedes-Benz's performance and luxury road car brand.Silver Arrows works team to race as Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team http://www.mercedes-amg-f1.com/en/#/s/news/1211/silver-arrows-works-team-to-race-as-mercedes-amg-petronas-formula-one-team Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team 5 December 2011 19 April 2013 https://archive.today/20120903153131/http://www.mercedes-amg-f1.com/en/%23/s/news/1211/silver-arrows-works-team-to-race-as-mercedes-amg-petronas-formula-one-team 3 September 2012 HRT team principal Colin Kolles formally left his position, with the team citing the relocation of their headquarters to Spain as the reason for the separation.Colin Kolles leaves HRT http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/14/colin-kolles-leaves-hrt/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 14 December 2011 14 December 2011 Former Minardi driver Luis Pérez-Sala took Kolles's place as team principal.Perez-Sala takes over as HRT team principal http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/15/perezsala-takes-hrt-team-principal/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 15 December 2011 15 December 2011 In January 2012, the team relocated to a new facility in ValenciaMeanwhile, in Valencia http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/meanwhile-in-valencia-2/ Joe Saward Joe Saward Blogs About the World of F1 WordPress 11 January 2012 12 January 2012 before settling at a permanent facility in Caja Mágica, Madrid.HRT will not attend Mugello test http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99142 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 April 2012 26 April 2012 Peter Sauber formally stepped down from his position as team principal of Sauber F1 in the week before the Korean Grand Prix, appointing the team's CEO, Monisha Kaltenborn as his successor.Kaltenborn to take over as Sauber team principal http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/11/kaltenborn-sauber-team-principal/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 11 October 2012 11 October 2012 Kaltenborn's appointment made her the first female team principal in the sport's sixty-three-year history.Baldwin Alan Rutherford Peter India-born Kaltenborn is first female F1 principal https://www.reuters.com/article/f1-prix-india-kaltenborn-principal-saube-idINDEE89A03120121011 Reuters 11 October 2012 21 November 2021 Driver changes thumb|upright|Romain Grosjean returned to Formula One with Lotus, the same team – then known as Renault F1 – with whom he made his debut in 2009. thumb|upright|Kimi Räikkönen (pictured in 2017) returned to Formula One with Lotus after two years in rallying. The 2012 season saw several driver changes. Lotus chose not to take up an option on Vitaly Petrov's contract,Petrov confirmed at Renault until 2012 http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/12/11615.html Formula One Administration 22 December 2010 28 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110711020548/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/12/11615.html 11 July 2011 dead and did not offer Bruno Senna a new contract. Petrov and Senna were replaced by 2007 World Drivers' Champion Kimi Räikkönen – returning to the sport after two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship – and reigning GP2 Series champion Romain Grosjean, who also returned to the sport after a two-year absence. Petrov later replaced Jarno Trulli at Caterham; Trulli's replacement meant that the opening race of the season would be the first race since the 1973 German Grand Prix to take place without an Italian driver on the grid. Senna joined Williams, the team having previously attempted to secure Räikkönen for the season.http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/09/raikkonen-poised-to-return-to-f1-with-williams/ Raikkonen poised to return to F1 with Williams- James Allen on F1 – The official website Jamesallenonf1.com 5 November 2011 7 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111107024344/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/09/raikkonen-poised-to-return-to-f1-with-williams/ dead http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/kimi-and-williams-f1/ Kimi and Williams F1 Joesaward.wordpress.com 23 September 2011 5 November 2011 Senna replaced Rubens Barrichello, who left Formula One after a record-breaking nineteen seasons. He later moved to IndyCar for the 2012 season, joining KV Racing Technology.Rubens Barrichello confirms move to IndyCar http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/01/rubens-barrichello-confirms-move-indycar/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 1 March 2012 2 March 2012 Like Räikkönen and Grosjean, Nico Hülkenberg also returned to Formula One, joining Force India alongside Paul di Resta. Adrian Sutil left the team, having spent six years with both Force India and its previous incarnations, Spyker and Midland. He initially sought a drive with Williams, before negotiations collapsed in December 2011.Sutil unsurprised by Senna deal http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12476/7441707/Sutil-unsurprised-by-Senna-deal SkySports.com BSkyB 19 January 2012 19 January 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120121195906/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12476/7441707/Sutil-unsurprised-by-Senna-deal 21 January 2012 Sutil was later the subject of criminal action, charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly assaulting a senior Renault team member with a glass in a Shanghai nightclub following the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix.Adrian Sutil Charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm http://f1orbit.com/2012-01-12/adrian-sutil-charged-with-causing-grievous-bodily-harm/ F1 Orbit Motorsport.com 12 January 2012 12 January 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120115040208/http://f1orbit.com/2012-01-12/adrian-sutil-charged-with-causing-grievous-bodily-harm/ 15 January 2012 Sutil was found guilty, and was sentenced to an eighteen-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay a €200,000 fine.Sutil zu Bewährungsstrafe verurteilt Sutil was sentenced to probation http://wap.sport1.de/%28S%28vnds2zyczpx5ic45mzqjyk55%29%29/NewsView.aspx?id=379466 https://archive.today/20120721114813/http://wap.sport1.de/(S(vnds2zyczpx5ic45mzqjyk55))/NewsView.aspx?id=379466 dead 21 July 2012 Sport1.de 31 January 2012 31 January 2012 de Despite this, Sutil rejoined Force India for the 2013 season.Force India confirm Sutil for 2013 https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/338196/force-india-confirm-sutil-for-2013 Bangkok Post Agence France-Presse 28 February 2013 21 November 2021 Scuderia Toro Rosso did not retain Jaime Alguersuari or Sébastien Buemi, instead choosing to replace them with Daniel Ricciardo and 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series runner-up Jean-Éric Vergne. Ricciardo had previously served as the team's test and reserve driver before being placed at HRT for the 2011 British Grand Prix, while Vergne had completed a limited testing schedule for the team in the second half of the 2011 season. Sébastien Buemi became Red Bull Racing's testing and reserve driver contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota, driving a TS030 Hybrid.Buemi eying 2013 F1 race seat http://www.hindustantimes.com/motor-sports/topstories/Buemi-eying-2013-F1-race-seat/SP-Article1-792941.aspx Hindustan Times HT Media 7 January 2012 8 January 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120108193045/http://www.hindustantimes.com/motor-sports/topstories/Buemi-eying-2013-F1-race-seat/SP-Article1-792941.aspx 8 January 2012 Toyota recruits Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi for second TS030 HYBRID http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97474 Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 February 2012 17 February 2012 Alguersuari was offered a seat at HRT, but turned it downAlguersuari 'says no' to HRT http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7418089/ Sky Sports British Sky Broadcasting 8 January 2012 9 January 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120111071427/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7418089/ 11 January 2012 and instead joined tyre supplier Pirelli as their test driver, developing tyre compounds for use in racing alongside former Virgin Racing driver Lucas di Grassi.Jaime Alguersuari signed as Pirelli's test driver alongside Lucas di Grassi http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98467 Pablo Elizalde Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 30 March 2012 30 March 2012 Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan returned to Formula One with HRT. De la Rosa had been without a full-time drive since the 2010 Italian Grand Prix, having spent the majority of the 2011 season as a test driver for McLaren and making one appearance racing for Sauber; Karthikeyan was dropped by the team before the 2011 British Grand Prix in favour of Ricciardo. He, too, made a one-race appearance at the Indian Grand Prix, before leaving the team until the 2012 season began. Vitantonio Liuzzi, who drove for HRT in 2011, joined the Indian i1 Super Series.Vitantonio Liuzzi Is Excited About Participating in the i1 Super Series http://www.isport.in/indian-motorsport/vitantonio-liuzzi-is-excited-about-participating-in-the-i1-super-series-2803/itemid-331 Kunal Shah iSport India 21 December 2011 21 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20130119084530/http://www.isport.in/indian-motorsport/vitantonio-liuzzi-is-excited-about-participating-in-the-i1-super-series-2803/itemid-331 19 January 2013 dead The series was later postponed until 2013,I1 Supercar Series postponed to 2013; Liuzzi, Villeneuve, Fisichella lose drives http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97265 Jamie O'Leary Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 February 2012 3 February 2012 but Liuzzi was unable to retain his seat with the team. At the launch of the HRT F112 in March, Liuzzi was confirmed as one of the team's testing and reserve drivers alongside both former GP2 Series driver Dani Clos and Ma Qinghua, the first ever Chinese driver to step into a Formula 1 car.Drivers: Vitantonio Liuzzi http://www.hrtf1team.com/en/equipo/pilotos/vitantonio-liuzzi.html HRT F1 Team 6 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120723235233/http://www.hrtf1team.com/en/equipo/pilotos/vitantonio-liuzzi.html 23 July 2012 Jérôme d'Ambrosio left Marussia (then known as Virgin Racing) after the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix. He later joined Lotus F1 as their third driver.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97160 Jerome D'Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver for 2012 F1 season Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 January 2012 24 January 2012 Pablo Elizalde Charles Pic – who placed fourth in the 2011 GP2 Series driving for Addax – joined Marussia, replacing d'Ambrosio. Mid-season changes The season only saw one driver change, which was brought about when Lotus driver Romain Grosjean was found by race stewards to be responsible for causing a multi-car pile-up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. He was given a one-race ban and a €50,000 fine for his role in the collision, forcing him to miss the Italian Grand Prix.Belgian GP: Romain Grosjean gets one-race ban for start crash http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102185 Simon Strang Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 He was replaced by the team's testing and reserve driver, Jérôme d'Ambrosio. Grosjean returned to the team for the next round in Singapore.Vettel leads Hamilton in damp session at Singapore http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/21/2012-singapore-grand-prix-practice-result-fp1/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 21 September 2012 21 September 2012 Pastor Maldonado was fifth, the Williams driver one of several to explore Singapore's run-off areas during the session. Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean were also among those to go off, but no-one managed to hit anything. Calendar thumb|350px|right|Nations hosting Formula One Grands Prix in 2012. Round Grand Prix Circuit Date 1 Australian Grand Prix AUS Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne 18 March 2Malaysian Grand PrixMYS Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur 25 March 3 Chinese Grand Prix CHN Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai 15 April 4 Bahrain Grand Prix BHR Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir 22 April 5 Spanish Grand PrixESP Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló 13 May 6 Monaco Grand Prix MCO Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo 27 May 7 Canadian Grand Prix CAN Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal 10 June 8 European Grand Prix ESP Valencia Street Circuit, Valencia 24 June 9 British Grand Prix GBR Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone 8 July 10 German Grand Prix DEU Hockenheimring, Hockenheim 22 July 11 Hungarian Grand Prix HUN Hungaroring, Mogyoród 29 July 12 Belgian Grand Prix BEL Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot 2 September 13 Italian Grand Prix ITA Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza 9 September 14 Singapore Grand Prix SGP Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore23 September 15 Japanese Grand Prix JPN Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka 7 October 16 Korean Grand Prix KOR Korea International Circuit, Yeongam 14 October 17 Indian Grand Prix IND Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida 28 October 18 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ARE Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi 4 November 19 United States Grand Prix USA Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas 18 November 20 Brazilian Grand Prix BRA Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo 25 November Source:FIA 2012 Formula One calendar http://www.fia.com/championship/formula-1-world-championship/2012/calendar FIA.com Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 21 February 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130217013244/http://www.fia.com/championship/formula-1-world-championship/2012/calendar 17 February 2013 Calendar changes thumb|220px|upright|Formula One returned to the United States in 2012, with the race held at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas. New and returning races After the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled,Bahrain F1 Grand Prix cancelled for 2011 https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing/bahrain-cancelled/ Sportsnet Associated Press 10 June 2011 12 February 2021 https://archive.today/20210215183434/https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing/bahrain-cancelled/ 15 February 2021 the race was reinstated for the 2012 season with a provisional date in October.2012 Formula 1 season opener keeps March 18 slot despite overhaul http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93453 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2011 29 July 2011 The final version of the calendar brought the race forward to April.http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/07/united-states-grand-prix-remains-unchanged-2012-f1-calendar/ United States Grand Prix remains on unchanged 2012 F1 calendar Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 December 2011 7 December 2011 The German Grand Prix returned to Hockenheim after the 2011 German Grand Prix was held at the Nürburgring, in line with the event's policy of alternating between venues.Spurgeon Brad Famed German Tracks Leave Their Mark on Series https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/sports/autoracing/21iht-srf1history21.html The New York Times 20 July 2012 21 November 2021 In May 2010, it was announced that Austin, Texas would host the return of the United States Grand Prix, the first since Indianapolis in 2007. Known as the Circuit of the Americas, the venue will be a brand-new, purpose-built permanent circuit designed by event promoter Tavo Hellmund and 1993 Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion Kevin SchwantzTurn for turn, Austin track's design, layout should look familiar to F1 drivers http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/turn-for-turn-austin-tracks-design-layout-should-2321735.html?viewAsSinglePage=true John Maher Austin-American Statesman 23 April 2012 23 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120426215922/http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/turn-for-turn-austin-tracks-design-layout-should-2321735.html?viewAsSinglePage=true 26 April 2012 with the assistance of German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke.Formula One returns to the United States http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html Formula One Administration 25 May 2010 25 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100526194736/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html 26 May 2010 live In November 2011, Bernie Ecclestone expressed "minor" doubt over the race going ahead after what he described as "disagreements inside the [management] company"Formula 1 chiefs to discuss 2012 calendar amid concerns over some races http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95834 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 1 November 2011 1 November 2011 and gave the circuit owners and race organisers a deadline of 7 DecemberBernie Ecclestone gives Austin organisers a new deadline to sort contracts http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96595 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 30 November 2011 1 December 2011 – coinciding with the meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and the release of the final 2012 calendar – to sort out their differences or else risk losing the event entirely.US Grand Prix on verge of being axed claims Bernie Ecclestone https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/us-grand-prix-on-verge-of-being-axed-claims-bernie-ecclestone-6262988.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/us-grand-prix-on-verge-of-being-axed-claims-bernie-ecclestone-6262988.html 1 May 2022 subscription Ian Parkes The Independent UK Independent Print. 16 November 2011 17 November 2011 The final calendar included the race, with Ecclestone confirming that a new arrangement had been made, and that the event organisers had paid their circuit sanctioning fees for 2012.F1 boss confirms deal with Austin organizers has been reached http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/12/07/austin_race_left_on_2012_calendar.html John Maher The Statesman India 7 December 2011 8 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107222952/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/12/07/austin_race_left_on_2012_calendar.html 7 January 2012 dead The race was originally scheduled to be held in June, but was moved back to become the penultimate event of the season in response to concerns over the heat of the Texas summer and its effects on teams, drivers and spectators,City Council endorses F1, agrees to environmental deal http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/06/29/city_council_endorses_f1_agree.html American Statesman 29 June 2011 30 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110702110014/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/06/29/city_council_endorses_f1_agree.html 2 July 2011 dead and the failure of race organisers to meet a key deadline for the race sanctioning fees.Against all odds, F1 track has been built, ready to host race http://www.statesman.com/news/sports/motor-sports/finally-formula-one/nS3zC/ John Maher Austin-American Statesman 10 November 2012 12 November 2012 Failed races The Turkish Grand Prix was firstly included in the provisional calendar,https://www.racefans.net/2011/06/03/2012-f1-calendar-revealed-record-21-races/ 2012 F1 calendar revealed with record 21 races Keith Collantine 3 June 2011 28 May 2022 RaceFans but then it was removed from the calendar after Formula One Management and the event organisers could not agree on a renewed contract. In August 2011, organisers of the race revealed that they were negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone to resume their place on the calendar.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93692 Turkey hopeful of 2012 GP reprieve Jonathan Noble Sam Tremayne 8 August 2011 1 November 2011 Autosport Haymarket Publications However, the race was removed from the calendar later that month.Turkey loses grand prix in 2012 F1 calendar https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/31/turkey-grand-prix-f1-2012 The Guardian Press Association 31 August 2011 21 November 2021 It would eventually return in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Pryson Mike Updated Schedule: F1 Turkish Grand Prix Is Part of 'Final' 2020 Race Calendar https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a33792820/updated-schedule-f1-turkish-grand-prix-is-part-of-final-2020-race-calendar/ Autoweek Crain Communications 25 August 2020 21 November 2021 Changes Rule changes Technical regulations thumb|right|The banning of exhaust-blown diffusers meant all teams had to redevelop the exit of the exhaust. The 2011 season saw teams running "off-throttle blown diffusers", which created downforce by forcing fuel through the engine to produce exhaust gases and directing it over the diffuser when the driver was not applying the throttle. This concept was originally banned in incremental phases, with increasingly restrictive rules on what teams could and could not do, with a full ban to be applied from the 2011 British Grand Prix onwards. However, the incremental ban was controversial, with several teams applying for and receiving permission to circumvent the total ban. After discussion between the FIA and engine manufacturers, the original regulations were restored, with the full ban delayed until 2012. The regulations in 2012 governed the design of the exhaust with the teams agreeing to strict constraints on the position of the exhaust tailpipe. This resulted in the exhaust exiting the bodywork much higher up than in 2011, and no longer in the vicinity of the diffuser.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/264307/exhausts-to-be-raised-for-2012/ Exhausts to be raised for 2012 gpupdate.net 14 July 2011 14 July 2011 Several teams, including WilliamsWilliams tests 2012-spec top-exit exhaust system in Abu Dhabi http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96227 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 15 November 2011 18 November 2011 and MercedesMercedes tries 2012-style exhaust in Abu Dhabi young driver test http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96276 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 17 November 2011 18 November 2011 used the Young Driver Tests in Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to test parts for the 2012 season in the face of the ban. In October 2011, a clarification to the amended rules was issued, effectively banning "exotic" engine maps;James Allen James Allen (journalist) James Allen on F1 James Allen http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/10/radical-changes-to-engine-maps-for-2012-give-power-back-to-designers/ Radical changes to engine maps for 2012 give power back to designers 20 October 2011 1 November 2011 2 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111102081409/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/10/radical-changes-to-engine-maps-for-2012-give-power-back-to-designers/ dead in November, further amendments were introduced, completely banning the practice of blowing exhaust gasses over parts of the car to improve downforce, following a bid by several teams to allow it under certain conditions.No off-throttle blowing allowed in 2012 as teams block bid to allow the practice http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96112 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 11 November 2011 12 November 2011 Further amendments were made in February 2012 when Mercedes alerted the FIA to a loophole in the regulations that would allow teams to continue using a partially blown diffuser. The FIA responded by re-writing the software governing the engine's Electronic Control Unit to close the loophole.Mercedes triggered latest FIA clampdown –report http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-triggered-latest-fia-clampdown-report/ Motorsport.com 27 February 2012 2 March 2012 17 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171117064836/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-triggered-latest-fia-clampdown-report/ dead At the German Grand Prix in July, Red Bull Racing were referred to race stewards after FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer noted that their engine maps had the potential to violate the technical regulations.German GP: Red Bull cleared of illegal engine mapping https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/18943608 Andrew Benson BBC F1 BBC 22 July 2012 24 July 2012 Red Bull stood accused of manipulating the relationship between the torque produced by the Red Bull RB8 and the degree to which the throttle was open – particularly in medium-speed corners – thereby allowing more air to pass through the exhaust and over the diffuser, generating more downforce. Red Bull were cleared of wrongdoing, as, in the stewards' words, they had not technically broken any rules, but the FIA announced plans to rewrite the regulations governing throttle mapping so as to outlaw the practice entirely ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix one week later.F1 seeks computer rule change on Red Bull https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/18957915 Andrew Benson BBC F1 BBC 23 July 2012 24 July 2012 The rule changes required teams to submit an engine map used during one of the first four races of the season, which became known as the "reference map". Any subsequent changes to the throttle map would require the approval of the FIA, provided that the torque output above 6,000 rpm was within two percent of the output specified on the reference map.Red Bull Racing forced to alter engine mapping from Hungarian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101496 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 July 2012 26 July 2012 Further changes would be allowed at races with "exceptional atmospheric conditions", as designated by the FIA. In January 2012, the FIA banned the use of "reactive ride-height".Formula 1 teams have been told by the FIA that reactive ride height systems will be banned for the 2012 season http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97127 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 21 January 2012 21 January 2012 The system, first proposed by Lotus in 2010 (but not applied until 2012),Lotus expresses disappointment at FIA's decision to ban its reactive ride system http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97374 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 February 2012 8 February 2012 used hydraulic cylinders located in the brake calipers and suspension push-rods to make minute adjustments to the ride height of the car, thereby keeping the ride height at an optimal level throughout the race and providing stability during braking.Has Lotus Renault found this year's must-have gizmo? http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/has-lotus-renault-found-this-years-must-have-gizmo/ James Allen James Allen on F1 James Allen 10 January 2012 21 January 2012 8 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171108103217/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/has-lotus-renault-found-this-years-must-have-gizmo/ dead The FIA initially approved the device as being legal,Lotus's rivals set to be forced to copy innovative reactive ride height system http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96952 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 11 January 2012 21 January 2012 and several teams, including FerrariFerrari has developed its own reactive ride-height system for 2012 F1 car http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96971 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 12 January 2012 21 January 2012 and Williams,FIA sends note to teams: Reactive suspension system is not legal http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/fia-sends-note-to-teams-reactive-suspension-system-is-not-legal/ James Allen James Allen on F1 James Allen 21 January 2012 21 January 2012 8 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171108101727/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/fia-sends-note-to-teams-reactive-suspension-system-is-not-legal/ dead submitted plans to the FIA for their own versions of the device before it was banned one week later. The FIA later confirmed that the reactive ride-height systems violated Article 3.15 of the technical regulations, which states that "any aerodynamic effect created by the suspension should be incidental to its primary function" and "any device that influences the car's aerodynamics must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car"FIA ban new technical innovation developed by Lotus and Ferrari https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/16664827 Andrew Benson BBC F1 BBC 21 January 2012 21 January 2012 and further noted that the system's primary purpose was achieving aerodynamic gains as opposed to providing stability under braking, and that the use of reactive ride-heights could also be challenged under Article 10.2 of the technical regulations, which govern suspension systems.Reactive ride banned because FIA believed it gave an aerodynamic benefit http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97151 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 January 2012 24 January 2012 thumb|The reduction in the height of the nose led to several teams using a "platypus" nose design, as seen in the Force India VJM05 (top). However, McLaren did not use this design, as evidenced in the McLaren MP4-27 (bottom). Technical regulations for 2012 include the reprofiling of the car's nose. The pre-2012 regulations allowed the nose to be as high as 62.5 cm in above ground, but the revisions to the sporting code lowered the maximum allowable height to 55 cm in 150mm ahead of the front bulkhead.2012: Nose height Regulations http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/2012-nose-height-regulations/ Craig Scarborough ScarbsF1 WordPress 27 October 2011 6 November 2011 This resulted in cars being launched with a "platypus" nose, as teams designed cars with a visible change in height along the nose assembly of the car.Caterham F1 team unveils 2012 challenger http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97174 Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 January 2012 8 February 2012 Mercedes AMG team principal Ross Brawn explained the distinctive nose shape as having come about from "several teams" wanting to use their 2011 chassis as the basis for their 2012 cars.Ross Brawn explains how F1's ugly noses could have been avoided http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/02/21/ross-brawn-explains-f1s-ugly-noses-avoided/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 21 February 2012 22 February 2012 Drivers were no longer permitted to have a "joker" gearbox change. Prior to 2012, drivers were entitled to change their gearboxes once over the course of the season without incurring a five-place grid penalty. This system was abandoned in 2012, with drivers only being allowed to change gearboxes once every five races.Paterson Cameron Pastor Maldonado given five-place grid penalty for gearbox change http://cpatersonf1.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/pastor-maldonado-given-five-place-grid-penalty-for-gearbox-change/ https://archive.today/20120709214658/http://cpatersonf1.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/pastor-maldonado-given-five-place-grid-penalty-for-gearbox-change/ dead 9 July 2012 23 May 2012 21 April 2012 Starting in 2012, all cars were required to pass their mandatory FIA crash tests before being allowed to take part in pre-season testing.FIA announces new sporting rules for 2012 Formula 1 season http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96676 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 December 2011 8 December 2011 Previously, passing the crash tests was only a requirement prior to the first race of the season. Crash tests for the 2012 season will also be more rigorous than in previous years.McLaren will be ready for first 2012 Formula 1 test http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96795 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 19 December 2011 19 December 2011 At the meeting for the Formula One Commission in Geneva in November 2011, the use of helium in air guns used to change tyres during pit stops was banned. Despite increasing the rotation speed of the air guns by up to 30%, the practice of using helium was deemed to be too expensive to continue for the competitive gains it offered.Why Geneva meeting matters for F1 https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-geneva-meeting-matters-for-f1-5091488/5091488/ Dieter Rencken Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 November 2011 21 November 2021 subscription At the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA banned the use of "trick brake" devices, which used a bi-metallic strip that changed shape when heated by the brakes to open or close off braking ducts and improving braking efficiency under certain conditions. This was deemed to be in breach of Article 11.4 of the Sporting Regulations, which states that the only permissible changes to the braking system while a car is moving must be directly controlled by the driver.Formula 1 teams told trick brake systems are illegal http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103958 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 November 2012 2 November 2012 Sporting regulations After being banned in 2009, in-season testing returned in 2012, with a test held at Mugello on 1 May ahead of the European leg of the 2012 championship.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94068 Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 August 2011 31 August 2011 Jonathan Noble Formula 1 teams pick Mugello for 2012's new mid-season test As teams were only permitted to do fifteen days of testing over the course of the season, the pre-season winter testing schedule was cut back to accommodate the Mugello test.Ferrari pushing for increase in F1 testing limit, so as not to stifle opportunities for young drivers http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96822 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 December 2011 22 December 2011 At the September 2011 meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, representatives of the member organisations voted to amend the rules for double-waved yellow flags in all FIA-sanctioned championships. The amendment means that double-waved flags will be shown when a track marshal is working on or beside the circuit.http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2011/Pages/wmsc-230911.aspx Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 23 September 2011 1 November 2011 World Motor Sport Council: 23/09/2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111027202119/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2011/Pages/wmsc-230911.aspx 27 October 2011 Tyre supplier Pirelli revised their tyre compounds for the 2012 season in an effort to encourage teams to use each of the compounds supplied for individual races.Pirelli promises more exciting races in 2012 Formula 1 season http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97169 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 January 2012 25 January 2012 Pirelli predicted that the changes would translate into 0.7 seconds' difference per lap between the harder and softer compounds, down from 1.5 seconds per lap in 2011.Pirelli to trial 2012 compounds in Abu Dhabi Young Driver testing http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96224 Sam Tremayne Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 November 2011 15 November 2011 According to Pirelli, the hardest tyre compound available is just 31% harder than the softest compound on offer; by comparison, the hardest tyres used in 2011 were 70% harder than the softest.High tyre degradation makes three-stop strategies likely – 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Friday practice analysis http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/23/2012-malaysian-grand-prix-friday-practice-analysis/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 23 March 2012 24 March 2012 Faced with several constructors applying for name changes,Renault backs Formula 1 team name change to Lotus http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95257 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 11 October 2011 1 November 2011Virgin applies for name change to become Marussia http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95840 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 1 November 2011 1 November 2011 teams requested a clearer definition of what constitutes a "constructor".Ferrari: No issue with Lotus name change http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95513 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 October 2011 1 November 2011 Under the rules set out in the Sixth Concorde Agreement, several teams have been forced to compete under names that do not necessarily reflect their ownership—such as Sauber competing as "BMW Sauber" in 2010, despite BMW withdrawing from the sport at the end of the 2009 season—in order to preserve their status as a current constructor and their claim to a share of the television rights paid to teams that placed in the top ten in the final World Constructors' Championship standings.Mosley signs new Formula One Concorde pact https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/mosley-signs-new-formula-one-concorde-pact/2333819/ Motorsport.com 2 October 2009 21 November 2021 14 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230414054213/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/mosley-signs-new-formula-one-concorde-pact/2333819/ deadBMW name set to leave F1 https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/f1-2010/bmw-name-set-leave-f1 Autocar Haymarket Publications 18 March 2010 21 November 2021 At the final meeting of the World Motorsports Commission in December 2011, a series of amendments to the sporting regulations were published. Chief among these is the re-introduction of a rule that will allow all lapped traffic under the safety car (which remained the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG introduced in 2010)Mercedes unveils new gull-wing safety car http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/9648.html ESPN F1 ESPN 26 February 2010 26 February 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100228005316/http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/9648.html 28 February 2010 livehttp://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2015/03/mercedes-amg-gt-s-bernd-maylaenders-neues-safety-car-15030912.html Mercedes-AMG GT S: Bernd Mayländers neues Safety-Car 9 March 2015 3 April 2015http://www.racer.com/f1/item/114106-mercedes-unveils-new-2015-safety-and-medical-cars Mercedes unveils new 2015 safety and medical cars 6 March 2015 2 April 2015 Racer Haymarket Publications https://archive.today/20150404114840/http://www.racer.com/f1/item/114106-mercedes-unveils-new-2015-safety-and-medical-cars 4 April 2015 dead to be released from the queue before the car returns to pit lane, allowing the drivers to unlap themselves and to ensure a clean restart.http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/07/lapped-cars-allowed-pass-safety-car-2012/ Lapped cars allowed to pass safety car again in 2012 Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 December 2011 7 December 2011 Drivers were not permitted to leave the confines of the circuit without a justifiable reason, following a spate of incidents in 2011 when drivers were sighted using access roads around the circuit to shorten their reconnaissance and in-laps in order to preserve their fuel and tyres. Similarly, drivers will not be allowed to return to the normal racing line should they choose a defensive line going into a corner.Four-hour time limit among new 2012 rules http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/07/fourhour-time-limit-rules-2012/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 December 2011 8 December 2011 Races were run to a maximum four-hour time limit to prevent the indefinite suspension of a race. This will stop the theoretical possibility of a race lasting more than eight hours. This rule was introduced in response to the rain-interrupted 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, which set a record for the longest race in Formula One history, at four hours, four minutes and thirty-nine seconds. Any driver in the pit lane when a race is suspended was permitted to return to the circuit and take up the position on the grid that they were running in at the time of the suspension. At the 2012 British Grand Prix in July, the FIA disabled the use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) during a race while yellow flags were being shown in the same sector as the DRS zone.FIA to disable use of DRS under yellow flag situations during F1 races http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101112 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 9 July 2012 10 July 2012 The move followed an incident at the European Grand Prix in which Michael Schumacher was observed to activate his DRS while yellow flags were being shown.Michael Schumacher keeps Valencia podium as stewards decide against penalty for yellow-flag DRS use http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100709 Pablo Elizalde Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 June 2012 10 July 2012 Other changes In July 2011, a joint broadcasting deal for Formula One in the United Kingdom was announced between Sky Sports and the BBC.https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2011/07/f1_coverage_to_be_shared_betwe.html New F1 deal explained Ben Gallop 29 July 2011 31 July 2011 BBC Sporthttp://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93447 Sky and BBC to share UK F1 television coverage from 2012 to 2018 Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2011 31 July 2011 Matt Beer The announcement was controversial, being met with highly negative reactions from fans and observershttp://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93491 Bernie Ecclestone says Sky pay-to-view TV deal will grow F1's audience Simon Strang Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2011 31 July 2011http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/07/29/keeping-f1-freetoair/ So much for keeping F1 free-to-air F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine Keith Collantine 29 July 2011 31 July 2011 as it had previously been believed that the terms of the Concorde Agreement prevented Formula One from being broadcast exclusively on pay-per-view, but the Agreement did not prevent a shared broadcast such as the proposal made by Sky Sports and the BBC.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93507 Formula 1 teams accept there is no going back on Sky deal Autosport Haymarket Publications 30 July 2011 31 July 2011 Jonathan Noble The controversial nature of the broadcast deal led to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons calling Bernie Ecclestone and "senior BBC figures" including director-general Mark Thompson to answer questions over the details of the broadcasting arrangement.BBC to face questioning from MPs over switch to shared F1 coverage http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94168 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 September 2011 2 September 2011 In December 2011, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari exited FOTA, the Formula One Teams Association, following prolonged debate over the implementation of the controversial Resource Restriction Agreement,Ferrari confirms departure from FOTA http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/02/ferrari-confirms-departure-fota/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 2 December 2011 8 December 2011Red Bull out of FOTA but still 'committed to cost saving' http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/12/02/red-bull-out-of-fota-but-still-committed-to-cost-saving/ Adam Cooper Adam Cooper's F1 Blog Adam Cooper 2 December 2011 8 December 2011 though Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reaffirmed his team's commitment to cost-cutting measures and highlighting the team's concerns over certain loopholes in the Resource Restriction Agreement that they felt teams and manufacturers would willingly exploit.Christian Horner insists Red Bull Racing still committed to cost controls despite FOTA exit http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96709 Edd Straw Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 December 2011 11 December 2011 One week later, Sauber also left the organisation, though the Swiss team did not publicly give a reason for ending their membership.Sauber also confirms FOTA exit, Scuderia Toro Rosso could follow http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96685 Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 December 2011 8 December 2011 In February 2012, Red Bull Racing's sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso was also reported as having left the organisation since the first schism in December.Ross Brawn says F1's competitors could end up regretting that four teams quit FOTA http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97624 Jonathan Noble Sam Tremayne Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 February 2012 22 February 2012 Race summaries Pre-season testing – Jerez de la Frontera and Barcelona The 2012 season was preceded by three test sessions; one at Jerez de la Frontera and two in Barcelona. These sessions gave the teams and drivers the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their cars, though the teams downplayed the accuracy of testing times as being representative of the running order for the season.Red Bull downplays reliability worries despite troubled last day of F1 testing http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97853 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 5 March 2012 17 March 2012 At the second test in Barcelona, Lotus F1 discovered a critical fault in the build of their chassis that forced them to miss four days of running,Analysis: mounting issue to blame for Lotus's chassis problems? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97620 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 21 February 2012 17 March 2012 while both HRT and Marussia were unable to complete any mileage with their 2012 cars after both the HRT F112 and Marussia MR01 failed their crash tests, though both teams were able to complete shakedowns of their cars.New HRT car now set for final F1 test after failing two crash tests http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97464 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 9 February 2012 17 March 2012Marussia to miss last pre-season test after crash test failure http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/02/27/marussia-preseason-test-crash-test-failure/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 27 February 2012 17 March 2012 "We are all terrified that somebody will unlock the secret and win everything. Unless, of course, that's us!" 2009 World Drivers' Champion Jenson Button on the competitive nature of the 2012 season.Why is this season so tight at the top? https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/why-is-this-season-so-tight-at-the-top-7789272.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140301004340/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/why-is-this-season-so-tight-at-the-top-7789272.html dead 1 March 2014 David Tremayne The Independent Independent Print Limited 26 May 2012 27 May 2012 London center 46% Round 1 – Australia Albert Park Circuit 2012 Australian Grand Prix thumb|right|HRT failed to qualify for the Australian Grand Prix for the second consecutive year. thumb|Jenson Button (on the podium) won the first race of the season. He never led the championship again for the rest of the season. The season began in Australia. Jenson Button took an early lead from pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and the Red Bull cars while the rest of the field was bottle-necked by contact in the first corner. Button remained unchallenged throughout, even after a mid-race safety car to retrieve the stricken Caterham of Vitaly Petrov. Button went on to take his third victory at the Melbourne circuit, ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who profited from the safety car to pass Hamilton.Jenson Button storms to Australian Grand Prix victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98146 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 March 2012 18 March 2012 McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh later admitted that Button was "more than marginal" on fuel after the team made a mistake in calculating their fuel loads for the race, forcing Button to use a "severe fuel-saving mode" from the eighth lap of the race.Jenson Button was 'more than marginal' on fuel during the Australian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98176 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 March 2012 23 March 2012 Hamilton came under threat from Mark Webber in the late stages of the race, but held on to secure third place. Webber finished fourth – his best result in his home Grand Prix – while Fernando Alonso finished fifth, having endured pressure from Pastor Maldonado for the last half of the race. Maldonado's race ended when he crossed onto the astroturf on the final lap and spun into the wall.Maldonado says he had accepted finishing behind Alonso before crash http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98170 Sam Tremayne Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 March 2012 18 March 2012 Kimi Räikkönen finished seventh after a poor qualifying session saw him start the race seventeenth, taking advantage of a chaotic final lap to make up two places, while Felipe Massa and Bruno Senna both retired after a bizarre collision that saw their cars tangled up in one another.Massa and Senna agree that no blame can be apportioned for late collision http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98174 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 March 2012 18 March 2012 HRT failed to qualify for the race for the second consecutive season after drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan failed to set a lap time within 107% of the fastest qualifying time.https://twitter.com/adamcooperf1/status/180963413852295168 @adamcooperf1: 17 March Twitter. 17 March 2012 23 March 2012 thumb|left|Fernando Alonso described driving the Ferrari F2012 as "like walking on a tightrope".Alonso convinced Ferrari an almost perfect team despite struggling to regularly fight for victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99291 Pablo Elizalde Michele Lostia Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 May 2012 3 May 2012 thumb|left|Sergio Pérez took the first podium of his career in Malaysia. Round 2 – Malaysia Sepang International Circuit 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix McLaren locked out the front row of the grid for the second race in succession, with Lewis Hamilton once again on pole. Both HRT cars qualified for the race, but filled out the final row of the grid almost two seconds behind Marussia's Charles Pic in twenty-second position.Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying results https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/results/9705709.stm BBC Sport 24 March 2012 19 April 2012 In the race, Hamilton made a better start than Jenson Button, but his lead was short-lived; heavy rain interrupted the race, forcing the suspension of the Grand Prix.Poor weather halts Malaysian GP http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98366 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 March 2012 25 March 2012 When the race restarted an hour later, Button was involved in contact with Narain Karthikeyan that forced him to make an unscheduled stop for a new front wing, while Hamilton had a slow pit stop and was held in the lane while other cars passed.2012 Malaysian Grand Prix tyre strategies and pit stops http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/25/2012-malaysian-grand-prix-tyre-strategies-pit-stops/ Collantine, Keith F1 Fanatic 25 March 2012 19 October 2012 Fernando Alonso inherited the lead, with Sauber's Sergio Pérez a surprise second, having made an early stop for extreme wet weather tyres and then taking advantage of a rush to the pit lane to position himself in third at the restart. As the race wore on, Pérez began to quickly catch Alonso on a drying track. Daniel Ricciardo was the first driver to pit for dry-weather tyres on lap 38, triggering another round of stops. Sauber and Pérez initially looked as if they had left their stop too late when Pérez emerged from the pits five seconds behind Alonso, but he began catching the two-time World Champion at the same rate as he had before. Pérez closed to within half a second with seven laps to go, but ran wide at turn 14 and lost five seconds, later admitting that it was his mistake.Sergio Perez says victory was possible after finishing career-best second at Malaysian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98371 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 March 2012 25 March 2012 He was unable to close the gap, and Alonso went on to win the race by two seconds, the win giving him a five-point lead in the championship.Fernando Alonso holds off Perez to win sensational Malaysian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98369 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 March 2012 25 March 2012 Pérez was second, taking his first podium and Sauber's best ever result as an independent team.Was Sauber's radio message to Perez a team order to help Ferrari? http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/25/saubers-radio-message-perez-team-order-ferrari/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 25 March 2012 26 March 2012 Hamilton finished third ahead of Mark Webber and Kimi Räikkönen, while Button had to settle for fourteenth. Bruno Senna finished in sixth, scoring more points in a single race than his team scored in 2011.Senna says run to sixth in Malaysia eases pressure on himself and Williams http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98417 Jonathan Noble Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 March 2012 31 March 2012 Sebastian Vettel finished outside the points after making contact with Karthikeyan and developing a puncture.2012 FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX Results http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/865/7089/ Formula One 25 March 2012 26 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120326154225/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/865/7089/ 26 March 2012 Round 3 – China Shanghai International Circuit 2012 Chinese Grand Prix thumb|right|The legality of the Mercedes F1 W03's rear wing was an ongoing issue early in the season. The championship resumed three weeks later in China, with the lead-in period to the race marked by Lotus F1 protesting the legality of Mercedes's rear wing design.Lotus files protest against Mercedes's rear wing http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98719 Autosport Haymarket Publications 12 April 2012 13 April 2012 The FIA rejected the protest, and with Mercedes allowed to continue racing with their car unchanged,Lotus protest against Mercedes wing rejected by FIA http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98736 Autosport Haymarket Publications 12 April 2012 13 April 2012 Pablo Elizalde Nico Rosberg took his – and the team's – first pole position since their return to Formula One in 2010,Nico Rosberg flies to maiden F1 pole in the Chinese Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98802 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 April 2012 15 April 2012 while a penalty to Lewis Hamilton for a gearbox change promoted Michael Schumacher to second on the grid.Lewis Hamilton hit by grid penalty in the Chinese Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98713 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 12 April 2012 15 April 2012 Schumacher would ultimately retire from the race after the first round of stops when it was discovered that one of his wheels had not been attached properly. Rosberg took an early lead in the race, and while his attempt to complete the race with only two pit stops came under threat from second-placed Jenson Button, a mistake by Button's pit crew during his final stop handed Rosberg a nineteen-second advantage over Kimi Räikkönen.Jenson Button reckons McLaren's slow final pitstop cost him shot at beating Nico Rosberg's Mercedes to Chinese Grand Prix victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98859 Simon Strang Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 15 April 2012 15 April 2012 Räikkönen was attempting a similar two-stop strategy, but his tyres wore out seven laps from the end of the race, and he lost eleven positions in a single lap. This forced Rosberg to drive conservatively to preserve his tyres while Button recovered from his disastrous pit stop to pass Sebastian Vettel for second. Button was held up by the incumbent World Champion long enough for Rosberg to preserve his tyres, and he became the 103rd person to win a Grand Prix.Nico Rosberg takes commanding maiden F1 win in the Chinese Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98854 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 15 April 2012 15 April 2012 The result was also Mercedes's first win as a constructor since Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. Button was second, with Hamilton scoring his third consecutive third place, giving him a two-point championship lead over Button; Fernando Alonso, who had been leading the championship before the race, finished ninth. After two retirements in the opening rounds of the championship, Romain Grosjean scored his first points in Formula One by finishing sixth.Kimi Raikkonen laments Lotus tyre strategy after finishing 14th in China http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98879 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 15 April 2012 16 April 2012 thumb|right|The Bahrain Grand Prix was overshadowed by civilian protests against the ruling Al Khalifa family. Round 4 – Bahrain International Circuit 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix protests In the face of ongoing media speculation and public pressure to cancel the race due to ongoing political instability in Bahrain,Bahrain Activist's Hunger Strike Belies Image of Calm Ahead of Formula One Race http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/bahrain-activists-hunger-strike-belies-image-of-calm-ahead-of-formula-one-race/ Robert Mackey The New York Times 7 April 2012 13 April 2012F1 teams want FIA to postpone Bahrain Grand Prix https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/09/formula-one-bahrain-grand-prix Paul Weaver The Guardian Guardian News and Media 9 April 2012 13 April 2012 London the FIA released a statement at the Chinese Grand Prix confirming that the Bahrain Grand Prix would go ahead as planned.Press Release: FIA Formula One World Championship – Bahrain Grand Prix http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2012/Pages/f1-bahrain.aspx Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 13 April 2012 13 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120414173322/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2012/Pages/f1-bahrain.aspx 14 April 2012 The week preceding the Grand Prix saw a renewed wave of protests against the government's attempts use the race to "tell the outside world that the whole thing is back to normal",Heavy security as Formula One arrives in Bahrain http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport/story/76141.html ESPN F1 ESPN 18 April 2012 18 April 2012Damon Hill says Formula 1 cannot afford to be 'indifferent' about Bahrain situation http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98650 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 April 2012 18 April 2012 while human rights organisations including Amnesty International criticised the decision to hold the race amid the violent crackdowns.Amnesty questions Bahrain reforms as F1 concerns deepen https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jV1--EXM6pWmRhARdI-V0Y_MV3tQ?docId=CNG.948a2cf5c9e4b1bd3f984c4d2465ab3a.701 Lara Sukhtian Google News Agence France-Presse 17 April 2012 18 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120501221419/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jV1--EXM6pWmRhARdI-V0Y_MV3tQ?docId=CNG.948a2cf5c9e4b1bd3f984c4d2465ab3a.701 1 May 2012 Three days before the race, a group of Force India mechanics travelling in an unmarked hire car were involved in a petrol bombing incident at an impromptu roadblock and were briefly exposed to tear gas fired by security forces.Bahrain Grand Prix: Force India car flees petrol bomb protest https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/17767985 Andrew Benson BBC Sport BBC 19 April 2012 20 April 2012 There were no injuries or damage, but two of the mechanics involved chose to leave the country.F1 mechanics flee Bahrain after petrol bomb attack during street protest https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/f1-mechanics-flee-bahrain-after-petrol-bomb-attack-during-street-protest-7661468.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/f1-mechanics-flee-bahrain-after-petrol-bomb-attack-during-street-protest-7661468.html 1 May 2022 subscription live David Tremayne Jerome Taylor The Independent 19 April 2012 20 April 2012 London The team later announced their intentions to race despite the incident.Bahrain Grand Prix 2012: Force India vow to race despite petrol bomb incident https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/forceindia/9215001/Bahrain-Grand-Prix-2012-Force-India-vow-to-race-despite-petrol-bomb-incident.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/forceindia/9215001/Bahrain-Grand-Prix-2012-Force-India-vow-to-race-despite-petrol-bomb-incident.html 11 January 2022 subscription live The Daily Telegraph 19 April 2012 20 April 2012 London Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole, his first since the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix. Heikki Kovalainen qualified sixteenth, the second time Caterham (and its predecessor, Team Lotus) advanced beyond the first qualifying period in dry conditions.Sebastian Vettel secures Bahrain Grand Prix pole position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99030 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 21 April 2012 21 April 2012 Vettel went on to win the race2012 Bahrain Grand Prix result http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/22/2012-bahrain-grand-prix-result/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 22 April 2012 22 April 2012 – becoming the fourth winner in as many races – after spending much of the race defending against Kimi Räikkönen. Having started eleventh, Räikkönen used an extra set of soft tyres to move up through the field. His team-mate, Romain Grosjean, finished third. Grosjean had initially shown the pace to challenge Vettel's lead, but unlike Räikkönen, he did not have an extra set of fresh tyres, and lost touch with the reigning World Champion after the first set of stops. Lewis Hamilton finished eighth, once again hampered by slow pit stops.McLaren promises to investigate pitstop problems http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99105 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 April 2012 22 April 2012 He was later involved in an altercation with Nico Rosberg that saw Rosberg referred to the stewards for forcing Hamilton beyond the boundary of the circuit while defending his position, but he escaped without penalty.Rosberg escapes penalty for incidents with Hamilton and Alonso http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99102 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 April 2012 22 April 2012 Hamilton went on to finish eighth, while team-mate Jenson Button was forced to retire two laps from the end of the race after reporting an unusual vibration from the differential. Daniel Ricciardo was involved in early contact that saw the Australian driver slide down the order from sixth at the start to fifteenth by the end of the race, having spent most of the Grand Prix caught behind Vitaly Petrov. Vettel's win gave him a four-point lead in the championship over Hamilton, while Mark Webber's fourth consecutive fourth place secured third overall.2012 Bahrain Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/22/2012-bahrain-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collatine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 22 April 2012 22 April 2012 Red Bull Racing took the lead from McLaren in the World Constructors' Championship, while Lotus's double podium moved them into third overall. thumb|left|Sebastian Vettel won his first race of the 2012 season in Bahrain. The decision to hold the race despite the ongoing protests made it one of the most controversial Grands Prix in the sport's sixty-year history.Rage against the Formula One machine https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/rage-against-the-formula-one-machine-7665991.html Jerome Taylor David Tremayne The Independent 21 April 2012 21 April 2012 London 12 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200712223934/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/rage-against-the-formula-one-machine-7665991.html deadClashes in Bahrain ahead of F1 race http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201242073436819990.html Al Jazeera Qatar Media Group 20 April 2012 21 April 2012Protests As Anger Over Bahrain F1 Race Grows http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16212342 Sky News News Corporation 20 April 2012 21 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120423030803/http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16212342 23 April 2012 Bahrain circuit boss: Race not a big risk https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/18/sport/motorsport/motorsport-bahrain-f1race/index.html?iid=article_sidebar Frederik Pleitgen CNN Edition CNN 18 April 2012 21 April 2012 Mid-season test – Mugello Starting on 1 May, the teams conducted a three-day test at the Mugello Circuit in Italy ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. The test gave teams the opportunity to assess major aerodynamic upgrades before racing them.Hamilton and Button to miss Mugello test http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/18/hamilton-button-mugello-test/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 18 April 2012 24 April 2012Domenicali: Mugello test "very important" for Ferrari http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/23/domenicali-mugello-test-important-ferrari/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 23 April 2012 24 April 2012 HRT elected not to take part in the test, instead choosing to concentrate on establishing themselves at their new headquarters in Madrid. Both Lotus's trackside operations director Alan Permane and Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber questioned the value of testing at the Mugello circuit as the characteristics of the circuit were unlike any of the circuits the championship was due to visit after the test,Formula 1 teams gear up for first proper in-season test since 2008 at Mugello http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99269 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 30 April 2012 3 May 2012Teams brand Mugello test a waste of time and money, as Alonso crashes http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/05/teams-brand-mugello-test-a-waste-of-time-and-money-as-alonso-crashes/ James Allen James Allen on F1 James Allen 3 May 2012 6 May 2012 6 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180806181957/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/05/teams-brand-mugello-test-a-waste-of-time-and-money-as-alonso-crashes/ dead while Caterham driver Vitaly Petrov was critical of the choice of Mugello as a testing venue as he felt it was not safe enough for Formula One.Vitaly Petrov claims Mugello is not safe enough for Formula 1 testing http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99315 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 May 2012 3 May 2012 Petrov's comments came shortly after Fernando Alonso crashed on the final morning of the test.Sebastian Vettel fastest for Red Bull on final morning of Mugello Formula 1 test http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99312 Andrew van Leeuwen Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 May 2012 3 May 2012 Red Bull Racing and Lotus team principals Christian Horner and Éric Boullier were also critical of the test as they felt that the costs of conducting in-season testing outweighed any benefits, with Horner stating his opposition to continuing mid-season testing in the future.Red Bull boss Christian Horner calls for in-season testing rethink http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99338 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 4 May 2012 5 May 2012 "We drive like on raw eggs and I don't want to stress the tires at all. Otherwise you just overdo it and you go nowhere." Michael Schumacher's criticism of tyre supplier Pirelli's 2012 tyre compounds.Schu on tire troubles: 'It's like driving on raw eggs' https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/07/sport/motorsport/motorsport-f1-schumacher-pirelli/index.html Amanda Davies CNN Turner Broadcasting System 7 May 2012 28 May 2012 center 46% Round 5 – Spain Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 2012 Spanish Grand Prix right vertical Juan Pablo Montoya 2004 Belgium.jpg 220 Pastor Maldonado 2012 Malaysia Qualify.jpg 220 After Juan Pablo Montoya (top) won the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, Williams went eight years without a victory until Pastor Maldonado (bottom) won the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. Following criticism over the sensitivity of their tyre compounds,Pirelli responds to Michael Schumacher's criticism of its tyres http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99103 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publication 22 April 2012 8 May 2012Mercedes backs Michael Schumacher over his opinion on Pirelli's tyres http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99469 Jonathan Noble Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publication 10 May 2012 10 May 2012 tyre supplier Pirelli announced changes to their tyre allocation for the Spanish Grand Prix, making pit strategy the focal point of the Grand Prix.Pirelli hopes double gap between tyre compounds pays off in Spain http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99433 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publication 7 May 2012 8 May 2012 Pirelli would later diagnose the problems with the tyre compounds as originating from developing them on a testing chassis that was two years out-of-date at the time.Pirelli unhappy with old test car http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/282747/pirelli-unhappy-with-old-test-car/ GP Update 22 August 2012 23 August 2012 Lewis Hamilton took his third pole of the season, edging out Williams driver Pastor Maldonado by half a second, while Maldonado's team-mate Bruno Senna was eliminated early when he spun.Lewis Hamilton storms to Spanish Grand Prix pole position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99534 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publication 12 May 2012 12 May 2012 Hamilton was later excluded from the qualifying results after his car did not have enough fuel to return to the pits for scrutineering, promoting Maldonado to pole positionHamilton loses Spanish GP pole position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99564 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publication 12 May 2012 13 May 2012 and moving Hamilton to the back of the grid.Disappointed Lewis Hamilton promises a race-day charge after his McLaren is stripped of Spanish Grand Prix pole http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99569 Autosport Haymarket Publication 13 May 2012 13 May 2012 Fernando Alonso took the lead of the race at the first corner, but Maldonado reclaimed it during the second round of pit stops, when his team forced Ferrari to pit early while Alonso was held up by the Marussia of Charles Pic.Fernando Alonso frustrated with Charles Pic after Spanish Grand Prix blocking incident http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99582 Pablo Elizalde Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publication 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 Maldonado maintained a lead of seven seconds over Alonso, but a mistake by his crew during the third pit stop cost him time and left him vulnerable to the Ferrari driver in the final stint of the race. Meanwhile, third-placed Kimi Räikkönen moved to an ambitious strategy that would see him attempt to force Maldonado and Alonso to race beyond the life expectancy of their tyres, allowing him to swoop in at the last minute to steal first place. Räikkönen's strategy failed as Maldonado withstood pressure from Alonso for fifteen laps, winning the race by three seconds and becoming the first Venezuelan driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.2012 Spanish Grand Prix result http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/13/2012-spanish-grand-prix-result/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 13 May 2012 13 May 2012 It was Williams's first win in one hundred and thirty Grand Prix starts; their previous race win was Juan Pablo Montoya's victory at the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix.Williams end second-longest F1 victory drought http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/14/2012-spanish-grand-prix-stats-facts/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 14 May 2012 14 May 2012 Lewis Hamilton recovered from twenty-fourth on the grid to finish eighth, while Sebastian Vettel overcame a drive-through penalty and an unscheduled stop for a technical fault that forced his team to replace his front wingRed Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel baffled by front wing changes http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99596 Matt Beer Andrew van Leeuwen Autosport Haymarket Publications 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 to make a late move on Nico Rosberg for sixth place that would preserve his championship lead.2012 Spanish Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/13/2012-spanish-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 13 May 2012 13 May 2012 Round 6 – Monaco Circuit de Monaco 2012 Monaco Grand Prix thumb|Although Schumacher qualified in pole, he received a five-grid penalty due to a collision with Bruno Senna. He also retired from the race. For the second consecutive race, the fastest driver in qualifying did not start the race from pole. Michael Schumacher set the fastest time, but a five-place grid penaltyMichael Schumacher handed Monaco Grand Prix grid penalty http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99598 Autosport Haymarket Publications 13 May 2012 26 May 2012 Pablo Elizalde left him sixth overall. Two hours before the race, protests against parts introduced onto the floor of the Red Bull RB8Red Bull Racing embroiled in technical row ahead of Monaco Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99933 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 May 2012 27 May 2012 left team principal Christian Horner with a choice: to change the offending parts and start both cars from the pit lane, guaranteeing that any result the team recorded would be preserved; or to leave the parts on the car, allowing both drivers to start the race from the positions they qualified in, but risking a post-race exclusion. Horner ultimately chose the latter option, and Mark Webber started from pole,2012 Monaco Grand Prix grid http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/26/2012-monaco-grand-prix-grid/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 26 May 2012 26 May 2012 establishing an early lead over Nico Rosberg as a first-corner accident eliminated four cars.Webber gives Red Bull third straight Monaco win – 2012 Monaco Grand Prix review http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 27 May 2012 27 May 2012 The race was run under the constant threat of rain, with drivers trying to extend the life of their tyres to avoid being forced to make an additional stop and falling down the order. The rain never materialised, though Jean-Éric Vergne was observed using a set of intermediate tyres late in the race.Jean-Eric Vergne says tyre wear not weather gamble prompted costly late Monaco Grand Prix pitstop http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99949 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 May 2012 28 May 2012 The variety of strategies used by the front-runners resulted in the last ten laps being contested with the top six cars running nose-to-tail. Webber visibly faded in the final laps, but held on when the following cars were momentarily pinned behind the slow-moving Heikki Kovalainen. Webber won the race – his second on the streets of Monaco – with Rosberg second and Fernando Alonso third,Mark Webber becomes sixth winner in six races after charging to Monaco GP victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99939 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 May 2012 27 May 2012 the result giving Alonso a three-point lead in the championship. Red Bull Racing maintained their lead in the Constructors' Championship as rival teams chose not to follow through on the threat of their pre-race protest,No protest against Mark Webber's Monaco Grand Prix win http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99969 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 May 2012 27 May 2012 while Kovalainen finished thirteenth to see Caterham overtake Marussia for tenth place.2012 Monaco Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 27 May 2012 27 May 2012 Elsewhere, Spanish Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado was given a ten-place grid penalty for an incident that saw him clip Sergio Pérez.Nico Rosberg tops final Monaco Grand Prix practice http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99879 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 26 May 2012 26 May 2012Maldonado handed ten-place grid penalty for Perez collision http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/26/maldonado-handed-tenplace-grid-penalty-perez-collision/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 26 May 2012 26 May 2012 Combined with a five-place penalty for changing his gearbox, Maldonado started from the back row of the gridMaldonado set to get gearbox-change penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99912 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 26 May 2012 26 May 2012 where he was eliminated in the first-corner accident. "It really pisses me off, to be honest, because the car has passed every single technical regulation after the race. All of the teams that were against it did not make any protest after Monaco. The car passed the test after Bahrain, the car passed the test after Monaco, and now there has been a clarification on the rule. And the rule now is different. We had a car which was legal for the first part of the season. And now the rule has been changed and we'll start again." Mark Webber's response to claims he won the Monaco Grand Prix with an "illegal car".Webber refutes 'illegal car' claims http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/06/07/webber-refutes-illegal-car-claims/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 June 2012 8 June 2012 center 46% Round 7 – Canada Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 2012 Canadian Grand Prix thumb|right|Lewis Hamilton became the seventh winner of the season when he won the Canadian Grand Prix. One week before the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA declared the floor used by Red Bull in Monaco to be illegal, forcing the team to change the offending parts for the Canadian Grand Prix.Red Bull forced to change floor design as FIA clarifies regulation over holes http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100074 Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 June 2012 2 June 2012 Despite the ruling, the team's results were kept intact.Red Bull allowed to keep Bahrain and Monaco wins but forced to modify car http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/red-bull-allowed-to-keep-bahrain-and-monaco-wins-but-forced-to-modify-car/ James Allen James Allen on F1 James Allen 2 June 2012 3 June 2012 3 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231352/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/red-bull-allowed-to-keep-bahrain-and-monaco-wins-but-forced-to-modify-car/ dead The team was also forced to change the design of their axles, after FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting felt that holes in the axles contravened the technical regulations.The FIA force Red Bull to change axle hole design feature https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/18381508 Andrew Benson BBC Sport BBC 9 June 2012 10 June 2012 Nevertheless, Sebastian Vettel comfortably took pole position by three-tenths of a second.Vettel leads all the way in Canadian GP qualifying http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/06/09/vettel-leads-canadian-gp-qualifying/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 9 June 2012 10 June 2012 Vettel controlled the early phase of the race, but was caught and passed by Lewis Hamilton before the first round of stops, while Fernando Alonso slipped through shortly afterwards. All three drivers were using a two-stop strategy at the time, but as Hamilton made his second stop, both Alonso and Vettel shifted to a one-stop strategy,Fernando Alonso defends Ferrari's Canadian Grand Prix strategy http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100296 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012Sebastian Vettel says late pitstop in the Canadian Grand Prix was the right call http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100300 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 with Alonso's team resorting to discussing strategy options in his native Spanish to prevent their rivals from overhearing their plans. Hamilton had twenty laps to make up a twelve-second deficit, and he easily reeled Vettel in; in response, Red Bull pitted the reigning World Champion, and Vettel fell to fifth. Hamilton's next target was Alonso, whose tyres lost all grip and he fell victim to Hamilton, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Pérez and Vettel in quick succession. Hamilton won the race, becoming the seventh winner in seven races and taking a two-point lead in the championship.Hamilton becomes seventh winner in seven races in the Canadian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100279 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 Grosjean's second place saw Lotus take third place in the Constructors' Championship from Ferrari.2012 Canadian Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/06/10/2012-canadian-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 Both Grosjean and Pérez expressed surprise at finishing on the podium,Grosjean unaware he was fighting for a podium after finishing second in Canada http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100282 Jonathan Noble Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012Perez says he had no expectations of finishing on the podium in Canadian GP http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100283 Jonathan Noble Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 while 2011 winner Jenson Button finished sixteenth in what he described as his "worst race in years"Jenson Button 'lost and confused' by complete lack of pace http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100295 Tom Mallett Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 and Michael Schumacher suffered a hydraulics failure that left his drag reduction system (DRS) device jammed in the open position.Mercedes apologises to Michael Schumacher for latest technical failure http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100289 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 10 June 2012 11 June 2012 Round 8 – Europe Valencia Street Circuit 2012 European Grand Prix Fernando Alonso became the first man to win two races in 2012 at the European Grand Prix in Valencia,Alonso becomes first double winner in 2012 with superb European GP victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100680 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 June 2012 24 June 2012 scoring his first home win since the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix. Starting eleventh,Sebastian Vettel flies to European Grand Prix pole position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100622 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 June 2012 24 June 2012 he was forced to navigate his way through traffic, narrowly avoiding early contact between Bruno Senna and Kamui Kobayashi as Sebastian Vettel broke free of the field to establish a twenty-second lead by the first round of stops. Vettel's lead was quashed when Heikki Kovalainen and Jean-Éric Vergne made contact, triggering the deployment of the safety car to clear debris from the circuit. Alonso found himself third at the restart and pounced on a mistake by second-placed Romain Grosjean to lead the chase against Vettel. Vettel pulled away once more, but his lead was short-lived as he lost drive and his engine shut down on lap 33.Sebastian Vettel convinced he could have won the European Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100684 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 June 2012 24 June 2012 Grosjean attempted to challenge Alonso, but was forced out of the race with an alternator problem seven laps later,Romain Grosjean certain he could have passed Fernando Alonso for European Grand Prix victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100698 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 June 2012 24 June 2012 leaving Alonso in the lead, four seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen. As the race entered the final laps, Räikkönen forced his way past Hamilton to secure second place, but Pastor Maldonado's attempts to take third place ended with Hamilton in the barrier and a broken nose for the Williams driver. Maldonado finished tenth, but was given a post-race drive-through penalty and was classified twelfth.Pastor Maldonado penalised for collision with Lewis Hamilton in European Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100705 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 24 June 2012 24 June 2012 Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher and Mark Webber had started to carve their way through the field by virtue of a late pit stop and easily picked off the minor points positions and taking advantage of the Maldonado—Hamilton collision to finish third and fourth behind Alonso and Räikkönen. It was Schumacher's first podium since the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. Alonso's win cemented a twenty-point lead in the championship, whilst Vettel's retirement relegated him to fourth overall, twenty-six points behind Alonso.2012 European Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/06/24/2012-european-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 24 June 2012 24 June 2012 thumb|left|Heavy rain forced the suspension of qualifying for the British Grand Prix. Round 9 – Great Britain Silverstone Circuit 2012 British Grand Prix Difficult conditions greeted the teams upon their arrival at the Silverstone Circuit,Romain Grosjean tops very wet first practice for the British Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100936 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 6 July 2012 6 July 2012 as parts of the Midlands received a month's rainfall in the space of two days.Month's rain in two days expected http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=250485963 MSN UK Microsoft Press Association 5 July 2012 7 July 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120708001701/http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=250485963 8 July 2012 The torrential rain lasted throughout the weekend, forcing qualifying to be suspended for ninety minutes,Alonso grabs pole in disrupted qualifying for the British Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101009 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 July 2012 8 July 2012 before race day dawned clear. The circuit was declared dry, allowing the drivers to start on the tyre compound of their choice, with Alonso on the harder tyre streaking away at the start while Paul di Resta crashed at Aintree on the first lap after making contact with Romain Grosjean.Grosjean philosophical about first-lap accident during the British Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101070 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 8 July 2012 8 July 2012 As the leaders settled into a rhythm, Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Pérez collided at Brooklands, prompting an angry response from the Mexican driver.Angry Perez tells FIA to act on Maldonado after British Grand Prix accident http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101062 Jonathan Noble Sam Tremayne Autosport Haymarket Publications 8 July 2012 8 July 2012 Perez's teammate Kamui Kobayashi also ran into trouble, locking his tyres as he entered his pit box and hitting three members of his pit crew, though none were seriously injured.Kobayashi fined 25,000 Euro for his incident in the pits during the British Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101095 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 8 July 2012 9 July 2012 The race was ultimately decided by the choice of tyre in the first stint as Alonso moved onto the softer option and Webber onto the harder prime for the final phase of the race. Webber caught Alonso with five laps to go, passing him on the Wellington Straight. Webber held on for his second win of the season, with Vettel third and Felipe Massa in fourth, his best result since achieving a podium in South Korea in 2010.Mark Webber charges to superb British Grand Prix victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101064 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 8 July 2012 8 July 2012 The result meant Webber closed to within thirteen points of Alonso's championship lead, with both drivers breaking away from third-placed Vettel. After showing early promise in the wet conditions, McLaren went backwards in the dry, losing second place in the Constructors' Championship to Ferrari and third to Lotus.2012 British Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/08/2012-british-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 8 July 2012 8 July 2012 Round 10 – Germany Hockenheimring 2012 German Grand Prix thumb|right|Reigning World Constructors' Champion Red Bull was involved in several technical disputes that challenged the legality of its car.Red Bull boss Christian Horner denies team has made illegal parc ferme changes http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101572 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 July 2012 29 July 2012McLaren downplays potential FIA flexi wing clampdown http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103022 Simon Strang Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 October 2012 4 October 2012 A report in respected German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport said that the FIA was set to investigate the designs of both the McLaren and Red Bull cars amid suggestions they were cleverly getting the front wings to rotate at high speed. Limited running in practice and a wet qualifying session meant that teams had to improvise their strategies at the Hockenheimring. Fernando Alonso controlled much of the race from pole position, only relinquishing the lead when he pitted, and he went on to take his third victory of the season.Fernando Alonso holds off Vettel and Button to take third win of 2012 in the German GP http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101410 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 July 2012 22 July 2012 Lewis Hamilton's one hundredth Grand Prix started with a disaster when he picked up a puncture on the third lap and spent most of the race at the tail end of the field before retiring on lap 56 with a suspension problem. Confusion briefly reigned when Hamilton, in seventeenth place at the time, began lapping faster than the leaders and sought to unlap himself. Sebastian Vettel later claimed that this was a ploy by McLaren to force both him and Alonso to drive defensively against Hamilton, slowing them down enough to allow team-mate Jenson Button to leap-frog them at the second round of stops;Vettel and Horner slam Hamilton http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12518/7926757/Vettel-and-Horner-slam-Hamilton Sky Sports F1 British Sky Broadcasting 22 July 2012 23 July 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120724164915/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12518/7926757/Vettel-and-Horner-slam-Hamilton 24 July 2012 Vettel lost a position to Button, but Alonso was unaffected, as Ferrari pitted him before Hamilton could interfere with his race. Button briefly looked as if he had the pace to pass Alonso for the race lead, but the race was deadlocked in the final twenty laps, and Button began to fade in the final five laps of the race. The race was marked by another technical dispute regarding Red Bull Racing, who were referred to the stewards by FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer for what he felt was an illegal engine map in use on the Red Bull RB8.Red Bull's engine maps referred to German Grand Prix stewards by FIA http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101403 Glenn Freeman Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 July 2012 22 July 2012 The stewards elected to take no action against Red Bull, stating that the team had not violated any of the technical regulations, but noted that they did not accept all of the arguments presented by the team when asked to explain.Red Bull cleared to race in German Grand Prix, as stewards declare no further action to be taken http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101408 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 22 July 2012 22 July 2012 The stewards were less forgiving of Vettel, who ran wide at the hairpin while trying to pass Button and could only complete the pass outside the limits of the circuit. Vettel had twenty seconds added to his race time as a penalty, demoting him to fifth overall. With Button promoted to second, Kimi Räikkönen inherited third place and Kamui Kobayashi was classified a then season-best fourth.Vettel demoted to fifth with 20-second penalty http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/22/vettel-demoted-20second-penalty/ Keith Collatine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 22 July 2012 23 July 2012Mauk Eric German GP best of 2012 season for Sauber https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/german-gp-best-of-2012-season-for-sauber/423541/ Motorsport.com 22 July 2012 21 November 2021 21 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211121123934/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/german-gp-best-of-2012-season-for-sauber/423541/ dead Round 11 – Hungary Hungaroring 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix thumb|left|Following the mid-season break, Ferrari's Felipe Massa was in fourteenth place in the championship, 139 points behind team-mate and championship leader Fernando Alonso. As the championship moved into the second half of the season, Fernando Alonso maintained a thirty-four-point lead over his nearest rival, Mark Webber, with Sebastian Vettel a further ten points behind.2012 German Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/22/2012-germany-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 22 July 2012 22 July 2012 Alonso's outlook for the race was dour, qualifying sixth and pinning his hopes on a wet raceAlonso rules out podium fight if Hungarian Grand Prix takes place in dry http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101596 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 July 2012 29 July 2012 as Lewis Hamilton continued McLaren's mid-season resurgence, returning to pole position for the first time since the Malaysian Grand Prix.Hamilton dominates Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/28/2012-hungarian-grand-prix-qualifying-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 28 July 2012 29 July 2012 Following an aborted start triggered by Michael Schumacher lining up in the wrong grid position and then shutting his engine off in the confusion,Michael Schumacher caused aborted start when he stopped out of position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101635 Sam Tremayne Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2012 30 July 2012Schumacher says he turned engine off in misunderstanding over delayed start http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101624 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 Hamilton and Grosjean lead the field away. After prematurely moving Jenson Button onto a three-stop strategy, McLaren gave Hamilton the order to hold position as the tight confines of the Hungaroring circuit forced the teams to try to make up positions in the pits. This was evidenced by Kimi Räikkönen, who inherited the lead after the first set of stops and produced a series of fast laps that allowed him to rejoin in second, coming dangerously close to team-mate Grosjean under brakes as he emerged from the pit lane.Romain Grosjean plays down wheel-banging clash with Lotus team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in Hungarian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101621 Jonathan Noble Sam Tremayne Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 Despite taking two seconds out of Hamilton's lead within five laps of rejoining the race, Räikkönen was powerless to reel Hamilton in any further. Hamilton won the race, the nineteenth of his career, with Räikkönen second and Grosjean in third.Hamilton holds off Raikkonen to win the Hungarian Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101617 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 Hamilton's victory brought with it twenty-five points that put him back in championship contention, while a late decision by Red Bull to move Mark Webber onto a three-stop strategy saw the Australian slip further behind Fernando Alonso, as the Spaniard extended his championship lead to forty points.2012 Hungarian Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/29/2012-hungarian-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 Round 12 – Belgium Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 2012 Belgian Grand Prix thumb|upright|right|Lewis Hamilton's future was a source of ongoing speculation during the second half of the season, amid contract negotiations with McLaren and Mercedes.Hamilton set to move to Mercedes http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/09/hamilton-set-to-move-to-mercedes/ James Allen James Allen on F1 James Allen 11 September 2012 15 September 2012 13 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171213071832/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/09/hamilton-set-to-move-to-mercedes/ deadLewis Hamilton's future at McLaren could be decided within days https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/14/lewis-hamilton-mclaren-mercedes Paul Weaver The Guardian 14 September 2012 15 September 2012 London The championship resumed one month later in Belgium. Jenson Button qualified on poleButton and Kobayashi share front row at Spa http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/01/2012-belgian-grand-prix-qualifying-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 1 September 2012 2 September 2012 and broke away at the start while a four-car pile-up started behind him when Romain Grosjean made contact with Lewis Hamilton and they both slammed into Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez, eliminating all four on the spot and triggering the safety car. Kamui Kobayashi's car was also damaged, and Pastor Maldonado was spun around amidst the chaos. Grosjean was later given a one-race ban for causing the collision, becoming the first driver in eighteen years to be banned from racing.Grosjean is first banned driver since Schumacher http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/03/2012-belgian-grand-prix-stats-facts/#comment-1060448 Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 Maldonado retired shortly after the restart with a broken front wing after making contact with Timo Glock,Double penalty for Maldonado after jump start and crash http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/02/double-penalty-maldonado-jump-start-crash/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 while Narain Karthikeyan spun off at Stavelot mid-way through the race when his wheel came loose.Belgian GP: Loose HRT wheel caused Narain Karthikeyan's Spa crash http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102204 Edd Straw Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 Button controlled the race from the front and was unchallenged throughout, while Sebastian Vettel clawed his way up to second from tenth on the grid. Kimi Räikkönen started and finished third, let down by a conservative pit strategy that forced him to make a second stop late in the race in order to use both compounds of tyre as per the rules – even when it became apparent that Button and Vettel were racing on a one-stop strategy – and Nico Hülkenberg finished in a career-best fourth place.Button storms to Spa win after first-lap shunt http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/02/2012-belgian-grand-prix-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 Button's win allowed him to regain precious ground on the championship fight, while Alonso's retirement from the race and Vettel's second place moved the reigning World Champion to within twenty-four points of the championship lead.2012 Belgian Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/02/2012-belgian-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 Scuderia Toro Rosso scored their first points since the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Jean-Éric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo finishing eighth and ninth respectively. Further down the order, Caterham was summoned to the stewards on charges of an unsafe pit release when Heikki Kovalainen was released directly into the path of Karthikeyan and the team was given a €10,000 fine for the incident.Belgian GP: Caterham fined, Webber and Schumacher escape penalties, for pit incidents http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102203 Jonathan Noble Matt Beet Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 "When you love racing this is very hard. I accept my mistake. We know that La Source is a very tough corner. [...] I did a mistake [sic] and I misjudged the gap with Lewis [Hamilton]. I was sure I was in front of him. So a small mistake made a big incident. I didn't change my line, I went from left to right. I was not really wanting to put anyone in the wall – I'm not here to stop the race in the first corner. I'm very, very sorry and I'm glad that nobody is hurt. But I have to say it is a very, very hard decision to hear." Romain Grosjean's response to being given a one-race ban for causing a multi-car pile-up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix.Belgian GP: Romain Grosjean accepts being banned for Spa start crash http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102205 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 2 September 2012 2 September 2012 center 46% Round 13 – Italy Autodromo Nazionale Monza 2012 Italian Grand Prix thumb|left|upright|Jérôme d'Ambrosio – seen here at the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix – replaced Romain Grosjean for the Italian Grand Prix. The final race in Europe took place at Monza. Ferrari's early bid to put Fernando Alonso on pole position by way of using Felipe Massa to offer him a slipstream ended in disaster when Alonso's rear anti-roll bar failed in the final period of qualifying,Alonso: Fault cost me 'easiest pole' http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/24184/8063762/Alonso-Fault-cost-me-easiest-pole- Sky Sports F1 BSkyB 8 September 2012 9 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120912094950/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/24184/8063762/Alonso-Fault-cost-me-easiest-pole- 12 September 2012 leaving the championship leader marooned in tenth while Lewis Hamilton took pole.2012 Italian Grand Prix grid http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/08/2012-italian-grand-prix-grid/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 Hamilton asserted early control over the race, and while Ferrari made significant ground early on to be running second and third – despite losing the data uplink between their cars and the pit wall that provided them with telemetryStefano Domenicali: "We were totally black with no telemetry" http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/09/10/stefano-domenicali-we-were-totally-black-with-no-telemetry/ Adam Cooper Adam Cooper's F1 Blog Adam Cooper 10 September 2012 12 September 2012 – it was Sergio Pérez who proved to be Hamilton's biggest challenge.Hamilton: I was always in control http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12525/8067898/Hamilton-I-was-always-in-control Sky Sports F1 BSkyB 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120912010339/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12525/8067898/Hamilton-I-was-always-in-control 12 September 2012 Starting outside the top ten, Pérez elected to start on the harder compound tyres and complete one stop, producing fastest lap after fastest lap as McLaren's confidence was broken when Jenson Button's car was paralysed by a fuel pressure problem.Hamilton wins as Perez charges to second http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/09/2012-italian-grand-prix-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic 9 September 2012 10 September 2012 Hamilton would ultimately prevail, but he was forced to push in the final few laps to maintain his lead, and won the race by four seconds as Pérez claimed his third podium of the season with second place. Alonso went on to finish third, benefiting from Button's retirement and a drive-through penalty for Sebastian Vettel when the reigning World Champion forced him so wide through the Curva Grande that Alonso was forced off the circuit.Hamilton: 'I was always in control' http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8067871/Vettel-s-penalty-deemed-to-be-fair Sky Sports F1 BSkyB 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120911233452/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8067871/Vettel-s-penalty-deemed-to-be-fair 11 September 2012 Bruno Senna later criticised the race stewards for not penalising Paul di Resta for a similar altercation on the approach to the Variante della Roggia early in the race.Senna slams di Resta for pushing him off the track http://en.espnf1.com/italy/motorsport/story/88476.html ESPN F1 ESPN 9 September 2012 11 September 2012 Meanwhile, with Romain Grosjean serving his suspension, Lotus enlisted former Marussia F1 driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio as their second driver for the weekend. He qualified sixteenth, and went on to finish thirteenth overall.2012 Italian Grand Prix result http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/09/2012-italian-grand-prix-result/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 Red Bull Racing suffered a double retirement, with Vettel falling victim to another alternator failure and Mark Webber spinning violently at the Ascari chicane, with the resultant damage to his tyres sending vibrations through the car that forced him to retire. This allowed Hamilton to leapfrog both drivers and Kimi Räikkönen – who finished the race fifth – to take second place in the World Drivers' Championship, with the result enabling McLaren to close the gap to Red Bull in the World Constructors' Championship.2012 Italian Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/09/2012-italian-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic 9 September 2012 10 September 2012 Round 14 – Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit 2012 Singapore Grand Prix thumb|right|Paul di Resta finished in a career-best fourth place in Singapore. As the teams returned to Asia, the focus shifted to the championship race. Lewis Hamilton put himself in the ideal position to take the fight to Fernando Alonso, qualifying on pole whilst Alonso could only manage fifth place.Hamilton on pole as Maldonado shines in Singapore http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/22/2012-singapore-grand-prix-qualifying-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 22 September 2012 23 September 2012 In the physically most demanding race of the year, the teams jostled for position through the first phase of the Grand Prix, trying to position themselves for the final ten laps. Just as the drivers established a rhythm, Hamilton's gearbox failed, forcing him out of the race and handing the lead to Sebastian Vettel.Hamilton "cruising" before retirement http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102807 Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 September 2012 24 September 2012 The race was shortened by two laps to fit the two-hour time limit for a Grand Prix following a pair of lengthy safety car interventions; first, Narain Karthikeyan understeered into the barriers under the grandstands on lap 30, forcing the safety car to be deployed. The drivers had little opportunity to get comfortable on the restart, as Michael Schumacher misjudged his braking point at the end of the Esplanade Bridge, careening into the back of Jean-Éric Vergne and triggering the safety car for the second time in an accident that was a near mirror-image of his collision with Sergio Pérez in 2011. He was later given a ten-place grid penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix.Schumacher gets penalty for crash http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102812 Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 September 2012 23 September 2012 Vettel controlled the race from the second restart, beating Jenson Button to the line, for his second win of the season and his first since the Bahrain Grand Prix five months previously.Vettel wins as Hamilton retires http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102793 Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 September 2012 23 September 2012 Alonso completed the podium, retaining his championship lead after defending from Paul di Resta late in the race.Alonso: Third place little comfort http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102795 Autosport Haymarket Publications 23 September 2012 23 September 2012 Elsewhere, a string of retirements – including a late engine problem for Bruno Senna, which left the Brazilian with minor burns to his backWilliams positive despite 'extremely frustrating' race http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/26/williams-confident-extremely-frustrating-weekend/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 26 September 2012 26 September 2012 Senna suffered burn marks on his back, which did not require treatment, during the race. As he retired the team warned him "the car is unsafe" and advised him to "jump out of the car, it could be a KERS problem". However Williams confirmed to F1 Fanatic that the KERS was not responsible for Senna's burns. – and a series of altercations involving Mark Webber, Nico Hülkenberg, Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Pérez as they fought over the minor points positions allowed Timo Glock to finish twelfth, the result seeing Marussia retake tenth position in the World Constructors' Championship from Caterham.2012 Singapore Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/23/2012-singapore-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 23 September 2012 23 September 2012 Round 15 – Japan Suzuka International Racing Course 2012 Japanese Grand Prix thumb|right|Romain Grosjean (left) was criticised for his role in causing another first-lap incident, this time spinning Mark Webber around at the start of the race.Japanese GP: Webber slams 'first-lap nutcase' Grosjean http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103188 Simon Strang Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 7 October 2012Japanese GP: Lotus must 'control' Romain Grosjean says Red Bull boss http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103225 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 8 October 2012 Fernando Alonso was the victim of a dramatic first corner clash, spinning out when he made contact with Kimi Räikkönen and paving the way for his championship rivals to make considerable inroads into his twenty-nine-point championship lead. Mark Webber was also caught up in the opening lap melee when he was hit by Romain Grosjean; Webber was forced to pit straight away, while Grosjean was given a ten-second stop-go penalty for causing yet another first lap incident. Bruno Senna also ran afoul of the stewards, hitting Nico Rosberg whilst trying to avoid Grosjean and Webber and earning a drive-through penalty for his troubles while Rosberg retired on the spot. Sergio Pérez added his name to the growing list of early retirements when he slid off at the hairpin under brakes and into the gravel trap whilst trying to force his way past a struggling Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel won the race from pole position, having led every lap of the race and setting the fastest lap time in the process to complete his second Grand Chelem. Felipe Massa finished second, his first podium result since the 2010 Korean Grand Prix,Massa: Podium could secure future http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103184 Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 whilst Kamui Kobayashi claimed the first podium of his career – and the first podium for a Japanese driver at the Suzuka Circuit since Aguri Suzuki finished third in 1990Japanese GP: Kamui Kobayashi celebrates 'amazing' podium http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103182 Jonathan Noble Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 – after withstanding late pressure from Jenson Button.2012 Japanese Grand Prix result http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/07/2012-japanese-grand-prix-result/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 With Alonso retiring and Vettel taking a full twenty-five points for victory,Vettel cruises to Japanese GP victory http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103179 Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 the championship fight became as close as it had been all season long.2012 Japanese Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/07/2012-japanese-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 "It's five races to go, it will be like a mini championship, because we start with the same points and we need to score one more point [than Vettel] in five races. So we will try to do it." Championship leader Fernando Alonso when asked how he will win the World Drivers' Championship after Sebastian Vettel cut his lead to just four points after the Japanese Grand Prix.Japanese GP: Alonso says five 'mini championships' left http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103180 Pablo Elizalde Autosport Haymarket Publications 7 October 2012 7 October 2012 center 46% Round 16 – Korea International Circuit 2012 Korean Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel's momentum continued one week later in Korea, winning his third consecutive race and taking a six-point championship lead as Fernando Alonso finished third.Vettel wins in Korea to take championship lead http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103422 Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 October 2012 14 October 20122012 Korean Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/14/2012-korean-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 14 October 2012 14 October 2012 Vettel overcame pole-sitter Mark Webber at the start, and was aided in building up a lead by first-lap contact between Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Kamui Kobayashi that saw Button and Rosberg retire with damage from the collision; Rosberg pulled over on the approach to the third turn, forcing a protracted yellow flag period as marshalls attempted to retrieve his car.Vettel takes championship lead with hat-trick of wins – 2012 Korean Grand Prix http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/14/2012-korean-grand-prix-report/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 14 October 2012 14 October 2012 Nico Rosberg was also involved in the accident – his second first-lap misfortune in as many races – and his Mercedes came to a stop at the beginning of lap two. He managed to find somewhere to park it on the barrier-lined straight leading to turn two. Marshals continued to wave chequered flags at the scene of Rosberg's retirement, in the DRS zone, until lap nine. With the sporting regulations banning overtaking while yellow flags were shown, the field was effectively thinned out in the opening laps as drivers were unable to pass one another. Tyre management became the focus of the race, as drivers reported heavy graining, particularly on the right-front tyre, which bore most of the load over a lap of the circuit.Webber: Race a tyre-saving exercise http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103425 Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 October 2012 14 October 2012 Vettel ignored six radio calls from his pit wall cautioning him that a tyre failure was imminent, only backing off just enough in the final few laps to secure victory over Webber by six seconds. The team later denied that there had ever been a problem with Vettel's tyres.Vettel's Korean GP tyres had no issues http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103735 26 October 2012 28 October 2012 Autosport Further down the order, Scuderia Toro Rosso's Jean-Éric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo fought their way from sixteenth and twenty-first on the grid to finish eighth and ninth,Vergne: Korea drive my best in F1 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103430 Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 October 2012 14 October 2012 while Romain Grosjean drove a conservative race to finish seventh, having been warned beforehand by the stewards that another first-lap altercation would likely result in his disqualification from the race.Korean GP: Romain Grosjean to be retained by Lotus for 2013 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/19941279 Andrew Benson BBC F1 BBC 14 October 2012 16 October 2012 Grosjean is under no specific threat of further punishment from governing body the FIA, nor is he officially considered to be on any kind of probation. However, he was told ahead in Korea that he would probably be disqualified from the race if he had a similar incident to his latest crash, in which he simply ran into the back of Mark Webber's Red Bull in Japan a week ago. Lewis Hamilton's day went from bad to worse when an anti-roll bar on his McLaren failed,Anti-roll bar failure hindered Hamilton http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103452 Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 October 2012 15 October 2012 while the car handled its tyres so poorly that he was forced to make an unscheduled stop in order to make it to the finish, only to tear up a length of astroturf that wreaked havoc on his downforce and he slid down to tenth place,Hamilton concedes title out of reach now http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103431 Autosport Haymarket Publications 14 October 2012 14 October 2012 narrowly fending off an opportunistic charge from Sergio Pérez to take the final World Championship point on offer. Button's retirement and Hamilton's single point meant that McLaren lost second place in the World Constructors' Championship to Ferrari, and Hamilton admitted that his bid to be the 2012 World Drivers' Champion was over. Round 17 – India Buddh International Circuit 2012 Indian Grand Prix Ferrari's strategy for staying in the championship battle saw them introduce upgrades to the F2012 at every remaining race in the season, starting with an extensive revision for the Indian Grand Prix,Ferrari all out with new components at private test http://www.f1technical.net/news/17905?sid=bc71255e9a120cc73e2bc94250160796 F1Technical.net 22 October 2012 24 October 2012 Italian magazine Autosprint found out new parts will be brought to every single of the 4 races left in this championship, beginning with the Indian GP in 7 days time. [...] The new parts for India, as tested by Rigon on 18 October at Idiada, Spain include a different rear wing, changed brake ducts, new aerofoils under the nose cone, changed sidepod panels and different exhaust exits. but whatever advantage they offered was still not enough for Fernando Alonso to catch Sebastian Vettel. Vettel dominated the weekend, setting the fastest time in every practice session before qualifying on pole,Vettel leads the way as practice begins in India http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/26/2012-indian-grand-prix-practice-result-fp1/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 26 October 2012 29 October 2012Sebastian Vettel stays on top in second practice Simon Strang http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103718 Autosport Haymarket Publications 26 October 2012 29 October 2012Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull complete practice sweep Sam Tremayne http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103766 Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 October 2012 29 October 2012Vettel leads all-Red Bull front row in India Sam Tremayne http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103772 Autosport Haymarket Publications 27 October 2012 29 October 2012 and leading every lap of the sixty-lap race,2012 Indian Grand Prix result http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/28/2012-indian-grand-prix-result/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 28 October 2012 28 October 2012 though he was denied his third Grand Chelem when Jenson Button set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap. Fernando Alonso finished second, conceding another seven championship points to Vettel. The Ferrari driver rounded up both McLaren drivers at the start of the race and proceeded to chase down Mark Webber for second, only overtaking the Australian on the long back straight when his car developed a KERS fault fifteen laps from the end that it never recovered from.Webber rues 'demoralising' KERS loss http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103827 Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 October 2012 29 October 2012 Webber held off a late challenge from Lewis Hamilton to complete the podium. Further down the order, Kimi Räikkönen finished seventh after spending most of the race trapped behind Felipe Massa, and later claimed that mistakes on Saturday had robbed him of a podium on Sunday,Raikkonen: Saturday error cost podium http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103832 Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 October 2012 29 October 2012 while Pedro de la Rosa retired from the race when he suffered a brake failure that saw him spin into the barriers at Turn 4. The race was marked by a series of explosive punctures after cars made light contact with one another; Michael Schumacher's right-rear tyre deflated on the first lap when he made contact with Jean-Éric Vergne at the first corner; Sergio Pérez suffered a puncture under similar circumstances when he glanced Daniel Ricciardo's front wing, with the loose rubber damaging the floor of Pérez's car enough that he was forced into retirement;Perez: India a 'total disappointment' http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103831 Autosport Haymarket Publications 28 October 2012 29 October 2012 and Pastor Maldonado also had a tyre punctured when he and Kamui Kobayashi touched at speed on the approach to Turn 5, forcing the Venezuelan to run wide onto the tarmac run-off, but suffering no lasting damage.Schumacher and Kobayashi avoid penalties http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/28/schumacher-kobayashi-avoid-penalties/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith collantine 28 October 2012 29 October 2012 Round 18 – Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix thumb|right|Kimi Räikkönen took Lotus's only victory of the 2012 season in Abu Dhabi after he inherited the lead following Lewis Hamilton's retirement from the race.Raikkonen wins for Lotus as Vettel finishes third http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104019 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 Sebastian Vettel's dominant run was derailed in Abu Dhabi when his car was found to have insufficient fuel after qualifying and he was subsequently moved to the back of the grid.Abu Dhabi GP: Sebastian Vettel disqualified from qualifying http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104001 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 3 November 2012 3 November 2012 As Lewis Hamilton led the race away from the start, Vettel started from pit lane and took advantage of a chaotic opening corner that saw Nico Hülkenberg, Paul di Resta, Romain Grosjean and Bruno Senna tangle; Hülkenberg was forced out, while di Resta and Grosjean pitted with damage.Hulkenberg 'had nowhere to go' http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104035 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 Vettel began to round up the HRTs, Marussias and Caterhams, but his early progress came at the expense of his front wing endplate when he made contact with Senna at Turn 8 switchback. He chose not to pit for the time being, as the race was interrupted by the intervention of the safety car. Nico Rosberg, who had been forced to pit with damage to his front wing, was in the process of overtaking Narain Karthikeyan as Karthikeyan's car began to fail and the Indian quickly slowed. Rosberg, caught unawares by Karthikeyan's troubles, was launched over the back of the HRT and into the barrier.Rosberg says accident was unavoidable http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104024 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 During the safety car period, Vettel was forced to pit when he swerved to avoid Daniel Ricciardo and crashed into the polystyrene bollard marking the start of the DRS zone, further damaging his wing. Red Bull Racing took the opportunity to pit him early, with the downside being that Vettel would have to do 42 laps on the soft tyre when supplier Pirelli predicted they could only do 36. Meanwhile, Hamilton suffered another mechanical failure while leading the race, and was once again forced out, handing the lead to Kimi Räikkönen while Fernando Alonso inherited second.Hamilton: McLaren had dominant car http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104023 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 Vettel began to work his way through the field again, but was forced to make a second stop when his tyres started losing grip. He was saved by the second appearance of the safety car moments later, brought about when di Resta forced Sergio Pérez wide; as Pérez rejoined the circuit, he cut back across the front of Grosjean and the two made contact, which in turn forced Grosjean into the path of Mark Webber. Grosjean and Webber retired, whilst Pérez was given a stop-go penalty.Grosjean: 'Collisions weren't my fault' http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104025 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 When racing resumed, Räikkönen began to rebuild his lead over Alonso, who was being harried by Jenson Button; Button himself was being harried by Vettel in fourth. Button and Vettel's duel allowed Alonso to break free, and he started chasing down Räikkönen in the last five laps. Räikkönen held on to secure his – and Lotus F1's – only victory of the season. Alonso was second, while Vettel caught and passed Button to complete the podium,Button: Vettel's 'brave' pass unexpected http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104031 Autosport Haymaket Publications 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 keeping a ten-point championship lead in the process.2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix championship points http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/11/04/2012-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-championship-points/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 4 November 2012 5 November 2012 With both Alonso and Vettel finishing on the podium with him, Räikkönen's win was not enough to keep him in contention for the World Drivers' Championship, leaving the title to be fought out between Alonso and Vettel over the final two races of the season. Round 19 – United States COTA 2012 United States Grand Prix Despite its troubled construction period, the Circuit of the Americas passed its final FIA inspection on 25 September, allowing the race to go ahead.FIA gives COTA thumbs up! http://circuitoftheamericas.com/articles/fia-gives-cota-thumbs-up Circuit of the Americas 25 September 2012 25 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120927231205/http://circuitoftheamericas.com/articles/fia-gives-cota-thumbs-up 27 September 2012 Texas circuit gets FIA's green light http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102859/ Autosport Haymarket Publications 26 September 2012 26 September 2012 Sebastian Vettel took his sixth pole position of the season, whilst Alonso struggled throughout qualifying to start the race ninth,Sebastian Vettel beats Hamilton to Austin pole position Matt Beer http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104321 Autosport Haymarket Publications 17 November 2012 17 November 2012 which became eighth when Romain Grosjean received a grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.Romain Grosjean hit with gearbox penalty Edd Straw http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104319 Autosport Haymarket Publications 17 November 2012 18 November 2012 Amid concerns that drivers starting from even-numbered grid slots would suffer from a lack of grip as they were located off the racing line, Ferrari deliberately broke the seal on Felipe Massa's gearbox, thereby giving him a five-place grid penalty and promoting Alonso to seventh and the clean side of the grid.US Grand Prix: Felipe Massa grid penalty elevates Fernando Alonso https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20386671 BBC Sport bbc.co.uk/sport 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 Ferrari's fears were not without merit as the drivers starting from even-number spaces fell behind at the start of the race. Vettel quickly converted pole position into a steady race lead as Lewis Hamilton fought to regain second place from Mark Webber. Moments after Hamilton caught him on lap 17, the Australian suffered yet another alternator problem, and coasted to a halt.Webber: Alternator issues a concern http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104367 Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner later admitted that the team's perpetual alternator problems were a serious concern with just one race left in the championship, a World Championship at stake and very little time to diagnose and correct the problem.United States Grand Prix: Christian Horner concedes alternator problems are a worry http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104395 Jonathan Noble Autosport Haymarket Publications 19 November 2012 19 November 2012 With Webber now out of the running, Hamilton then turned his attentions on Vettel and steadily closed the gap to the lead, overtaking the World Championship leader on lap 42 when Vettel got caught behind Narain Karthikeyan in the meandering first sector,Vettel says Karthikeyan delay costly http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104369 Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 which allowed Hamilton to pass Vettel along the long back straight. Hamilton held onto the lead for the final fourteen laps, but with Vettel never more than a second and a half behind him, Hamilton could not afford to relax, and he won the race by just six-tenths of a second. Alonso recovered from seventh to finish third – marking the first time that he, Hamilton and Vettel had stood on the podium together in the one hundred races all three had contested together – and forcing the title fight to extend to the final round in Brazil.Hamilton wins as 2012 title battle goes to wire http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104366 Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 Further down the order, Massa overcame his gearbox penalty to finish fourth, while Jenson Button fell from twelfth on the grid to sixteenth at the end of the first lap, using an alternative strategy to claw his way back up to fifth. Michael Schumacher, on the other hand, went backwards; after qualifying fifth, his Mercedes chewed through its tyres, forcing him to make a second stop that sent him plummeting down the order to finish sixteenth,Schumacher blames tyre problems http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104376 Autosport Haymarket Publications 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 and a clutch problem during his stop deprived Kimi Räikkönen of the chance to compete with Alonso for the final podium place. Both Marussia drivers out-qualified the Caterhams for the first time, only for Timo Glock and Charles Pic be out-raced by Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov, but the Russian team held onto tenth place in the World Constructors' Championship. Despite losing Webber to an alternator failure, Red Bull collected enough points to secure their third consecutive World Constructors' Championship title.Red Bull win third constructors' title in a row http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/11/18/red-bull-clinch-constructors-title-victory-row/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 18 November 2012 18 November 2012 Round 20 – Brazil Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos) 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix thumb|upright=1.25|Lewis Hamilton retiring from the Brazilian Grand Prix, ending his McLaren career, before moving to Mercedes. Championship leader table Grand Prix Championship leader Lead Points lead at the end of the race. AUS Australia GBR Jenson Button 7 MYS Malaysia ESP Fernando Alonso 5 CHN China GBR Lewis Hamilton 2 BHR Bahrain DEU Sebastian Vettel 4 ESP Spain 0 Vettel and Alonso had equal points. Vettel was considered the leader on count-back Both drivers had won one race, finished second in another and finished fifth in a third. Vettel's fourth best result was a sixth place, whereas Alonso's was a seventh, giving Vettel the championship lead on count-back. MCO Monaco ESP Fernando Alonso 3 CAN Canada GBR Lewis Hamilton 2 ESP Europe ESP Fernando Alonso 20 GBR Great Britain 13 DEU Germany 34 HUN Hungary 40 BEL Belgium 24 ITA Italy 37 SGP Singapore 29 JPN Japan 4 KOR Korea DEU Sebastian Vettel 6 IND India 13 ARE Abu Dhabi 10 USA United States 13 BRA Brazil 3 Sebastian Vettel scored enough points to win the World Drivers' Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The final race of the season was run in conditions that were never quite wet enough for drivers to use wet tyres, but never quite dry enough for slick tyres to provide enough grip. While Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton fought over the race lead, Sebastian Vettel was involved in a first-lap clash with Bruno Senna that damaged his exhaust and spun him around, relegating him to last place. Senna retired on the spot, as did Sergio Pérez, who was caught in the crossfire.Perez sad to end Sauber stint badly http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104589 Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 The race was one of attrition, with Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean also crashing out early. Button seized the lead from Hamilton, but soon found himself under pressure from Nico Hülkenberg and lost the lead to the German driver on lap 18, and second place to Hamilton shortly thereafter. The field stabilised themselves after the first round of stops, with Vettel in the lower points and Fernando Alonso running fourth when he needed a podium to stand any chance of being champion. Hülkenberg spun on lap 48 and lost the lead to Hamilton, but caught the McLaren on lap 54 as they encountered lapped traffic. The two made contact in the first corner, forcing Hamilton out of the race and earning Hülkenberg a drive-through penalty for causing an avoidable accident.Hamilton upset with Hulkenberg http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104579 Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 In the wake of their collision, Button re-took the lead and held on to the end of the race. Meanwhile, the rain intensified, prompting teams to scramble for tyres. Hülkenberg's penalty and Hamilton's retirement promoted Alonso to the podium, which became second place when team-mate Felipe Massa yielded for him. A slow stop for Vettel relegated him to twelfth and swinging the balance of power in Alonso's favour. In the last ten laps of the race, Vettel began to make his way back up the order until he was seventh, just enough to secure the title, but leaving him vulnerable if the damage he received on the first lap – which by now had left a long crack running along the floor of his car – got worse. Vettel's seventh became sixth when Michael Schumacher moved aside to let Vettel through.Red Bull thanks 'gracious' Schumacher for giving Vettel sixth http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104626 Sam Tremayne Matt Beer Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 27 November 2012 28 November 2012 Two laps from the end of the race, Paul di Resta crashed heavily as he came onto the main straight, forcing the deployment of the safety car. Button won the race, with Alonso second and Massa third, but Vettel's sixth place was enough to secure his third consecutive World Drivers' Championship.Vettel is champion, Button wins thriller http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104571 Autosport Haymarket publications 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 Kimi Räikkönen finished the season third overall, having benefited from Hamilton's retirement to hold onto the place following a bizarre incident in which he left the circuit and attempted to rejoin by taking to the support paddock pit lane, only to find the way blocked and forcing him to double back and find another way onto the circuit.Raikkonen: I knew where I was going http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104596 Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 In his final race in Formula One,Michael Schumacher announces F1 retirement http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/04/michael-schumacher-announces-f1-retirement/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 4 October 2012 25 November 2012 Schumacher's seventh place saw him finish the season in thirteenth place overall; his worst performance over a season since he contested six rounds during the 1991 season. In the World Constructors' Championship, Ferrari secured second place from McLaren with two cars on the podium, while Kamui Kobayashi's ninth place was not enough for Sauber to take fifth from Mercedes, and Marussia lost tenth place to Caterham when Vitaly Petrov secured the team's best result of the season with eleventh place.Marussia devastated to lose 10th http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104590 Autosport Haymarket Publications 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 Nikolai Fomenko, Marussia's director of engineering, later claimed that Charles Pic had deliberately let Petrov through,Serjan Edward http://izvestia.ru/news/541456 ru:Николай Фоменко: "Марусе" нужно объединиться с Петровым Nikolay Fomenko: "Marussia" should unite with Petrov 16 December 2012 Izvestia News Media ru 7 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20121217230829/http://izvestia.ru/news/541456 17 December 2012 dead as Pic had announced his move to Caterham for the 2013 season two days before the race.Marussia driver Charles Pic switches to Caterham for 2013 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20453799 BBC Sport BBC Sport 23 November 2012 7 January 2013 Post-season controversy Three days after the Brazilian Grand Prix, reports began to surface suggesting that Sebastian Vettel's championship was under threat and that Ferrari would be filing a formal protest against the race results.Yellow flag cloud hanging over Vettel title https://speedcafe.com/yellow-flag-cloud-hanging-over-vettel-title/ SpeedCafe 29 November 2012 1 December 2012 17 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230417042439/https://www.speedcafe.com/2012/11/29/yellow-flag-cloud-hanging-over-vettel-title/ live The challenge centred on a pass Vettel made on Jean-Éric Vergne early in the race. At the time, the first sector of the circuit was under yellow flag conditions following the spin and retirement of Pastor Maldonado at Curva do Sol, the Interlagos circuit's third corner, which feeds onto the back straight. Vettel overtook Vergne along the straight, which led to claims that the pass was illegal because of the yellow flags. FIA: 'No case' to answer for Vettel pass http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104645 Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 29 November 2012 1 December 2012 Intense media speculation suggested that the challenge threatened Vettel's championship because as the race finished behind the safety car, any post-race penalty had the potential to demote him in the race standings, and Vettel would not have enough points to secure the title. Ferrari wrote to the FIA, requesting clarification on the matter.Ferrari wants clarification on Vettel move http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104646 Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 29 November 2012 1 December 2012 The FIA reviewed the incident and declared that Vettel's pass was legal as a green flag was being shown by a marshal adjacent to the pit exit, meaning the track was green from that point onward; the confusion had been caused by a digital board showing a yellow flag on the exit of Curva do Sol some one hundred metres before the marshalling post.Analysis: Why Vettel's pass was legal http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104645 Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 29 November 2012 1 December 2012Formula 1: New footage proves green flag during Vettel overtake https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20561954 30 November 2012 1 December 2012 Both Ferrari and Red Bull Racing announced that they were satisfied with the ruling, thereby preserving Vettel's championship.Ferrari considers Vettel case now closed http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104655 Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 30 November 2012 1 December 2012Red Bull satisfied pass row is over http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104661 Autosport.com Haymarket Publications 30 November 2012 1 December 2012 Results and standings Grands Prix Round Grand Prix Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Winning constructor Report Race report 1 AUS Australian Grand PrixGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR Jenson ButtonGBR Jenson ButtonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 2 MYS Malaysian Grand PrixGBR Lewis HamiltonFIN Kimi RäikkönenESP Fernando Alonso ITA Ferrari Report 3 CHN Chinese Grand PrixDEU Nico RosbergJPN Kamui KobayashiDEU Nico Rosberg DEU Mercedes Report 4 BHR Bahrain Grand Prix DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian VettelAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 5 ESP Spanish Grand Prix VEN Pastor MaldonadoMaldonado Barcelona pole N Lewis Hamilton was excluded from pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix for a technical infringement and moved to the back of the grid. Pastor Maldonado was recognised as the pole-sitter for the race.Hamilton penalty hands Maldonado first pole position http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/12/hamilton-penalty-hands-maldonado-pole-postion/ Keith Collantine F1 Fanatic Keith Collantine 12 May 2012 13 May 2012 FRA 1974 Romain Grosjean VEN Pastor MaldonadoGBR Williams-Renault Report 6 MCO Monaco Grand PrixAUS Mark WebberWebber Monaco pole N Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, but received a five-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Bruno Senna in the previous race. Mark Webber was promoted to pole position in his place.Schumacher quickest, Webber on pole for the Monaco Grand Prix http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99883 Matt Beer Autosport Haymarket Publications 26 May 2012 26 May 2012MEX Sergio PérezAUS Mark WebberAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 7 CAN Canadian Grand Prix DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian VettelGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 8ESP European Grand Prix DEU Sebastian VettelDEU Nico RosbergESP Fernando Alonso ITA Ferrari Report 9GBR British Grand PrixESP Fernando Alonso FIN Kimi RäikkönenAUS Mark WebberAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 10 DEU German Grand PrixESP Fernando Alonso DEU Michael SchumacherESP Fernando Alonso ITA Ferrari Report 11 HUN Hungarian Grand PrixGBR Lewis Hamilton DEU Sebastian VettelGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 12 BEL Belgian Grand PrixGBR Jenson ButtonBRA Bruno SennaGBR Jenson ButtonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 13 ITA Italian Grand PrixGBR Lewis HamiltonDEU Nico RosbergGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 14 SGP Singapore Grand PrixGBR Lewis HamiltonDEU Nico Hülkenberg DEU Sebastian VettelAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 15 JPN Japanese Grand Prix DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian VettelAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 16KOR Korean Grand PrixAUS Mark WebberAUS Mark Webber DEU Sebastian VettelAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 17 IND Indian Grand Prix DEU Sebastian VettelGBR Jenson Button DEU Sebastian VettelAUT Red Bull-Renault Report 18ARE Abu Dhabi Grand PrixGBR Lewis Hamilton DEU Sebastian VettelFIN Kimi RäikkönenGBR Lotus-Renault Report 19 USA United States Grand Prix DEU Sebastian Vettel DEU Sebastian VettelGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR McLaren-Mercedes Report 20 BRA Brazilian Grand PrixGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR Lewis HamiltonGBR Jenson ButtonGBR McLaren-Mercedes ReportSources:2012 https://www.chicanef1.com/poles.pl?year=2012&nc=0 ChicaneF1 21 November 2021Formula One Results 2012 https://motorsportstats.com/series/formula-one/results/2012 Motorsport Stats 21 November 2021 Scoring system List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems Points were awarded to the top 10 classified finishers. Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th  Points 25 18 15 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 World Drivers' Championship standings Pos. Position Driver AUSAUS MALMYS CHNCHN BHRBHR ESPESP MONMCO CANCAN EURESP GBRGBR GERDEU HUNHUN BELBEL ITAITA SINSGP JPNJPN KORKOR INDIND ABUARE USAUSA BRABRA Points 1 DEU Sebastian Vettel 2 11 5 1 p f 6 4 4 p f Ret p 3 5 4 f 2 22† 1 1 p f 1 1 p 3 f 2 p f 6 281 2 ESP Fernando Alonso 5 1 9 7 2 3 5 1 2 p 1 p 5 Ret 3 3 Ret 3 2 2 3 2 278 3 FIN Kimi Räikkönen 7 5 f 14 2 3 9 8 2 5 f 3 2 3 5 6 6 5 7 1 6 10 207 4 GBR Lewis Hamilton 3 p 3 p 3 8 8 5 1 19† 8 Ret 1 p Ret 1 p Ret p 5 10 4 Ret p 1 Ret p f 190 5 GBR Jenson Button 1 f 14 2 18† 9 16† 16 8 10 2 6 1 p Ret 2 4 Ret 5 f 4 5 1 188 6 AUS Mark Webber 4 4 4 4 11 1 p 7 4 1 8 8 6 20† 11 9 2 p f 3 Ret Ret 4 179 7 BRA Felipe Massa Ret 15 13 9 15 6 10 16 4 12 9 5 4 8 2 4 6 7 4 3 122 8 FRA 1974 Romain Grosjean Ret Ret 6 3 4 f Ret 2 Ret 6 18 3 Ret 7 19† 7 9 Ret 7 Ret 96 9 DEU Nico Rosberg 12 13 1 p 5 7 2 6 6 f 15 10 10 11 7 f 5 Ret Ret 11 Ret 13 15 93 10 MEX Sergio Pérez 8 2 11 11 Ret 11 f 3 9 Ret 6 14 Ret 2 10 Ret 11 Ret 15 11 Ret 66 11 DEU Nico Hülkenberg Ret 9 15 12 10 8 12 5 12 9 11 4 21† 14 f 7 6 8 Ret 8 5 63 12 JPN Kamui Kobayashi 6 Ret 10 f 13 5 Ret 9 Ret 11 4 18† 13 9 13 3 Ret 14 6 14 9 60 13 DEU Michael Schumacher Ret 10 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 3 7 7 f Ret 7 6 Ret 11 13 22† 11 16 7 49 14 GBR Paul di Resta 10 7 12 6 14 7 11 7 Ret 11 12 10 8 4 12 12 12 9 15 19† 46 15 VEN Pastor Maldonado 13† 19† 8 Ret 1 p Ret 13 12 16 15 13 Ret 11 Ret 8 14 16 5 9 Ret 45 16 BRA Bruno Senna 16† 6 7 22† Ret 10 17 10 9 17 7 12 f 10 18† 14 15 10 8 10 Ret 31 17 FRA 1974 Jean-Éric Vergne 11 8 16 14 12 12 15 Ret 14 14 16 8 Ret Ret 13 8 15 12 Ret 8 16 18 AUS Daniel Ricciardo 9 12 17 15 13 Ret 14 11 13 13 15 9 12 9 10 9 13 10 12 13 10 19 RUS Vitaly Petrov Ret 16 18 16 17 Ret 19 13 DNS 16 19 14 15 19 17 16 17 16 17 11 0 20 DEU Timo Glock 14 17 19 19 18 14 Ret DNS 18 22 21 15 17 12 16 18 20 14 19 16 0 21 FRA 1974 Charles Pic 15† 20 20 Ret Ret Ret 20 15 19 20 20 16 16 16 Ret 19 19 Ret 20 12 0 22 FIN Heikki Kovalainen Ret 18 23 17 16 13 18 14 17 19 17 17 14 15 15 17 18 13 18 14 0 23 BEL Jérôme d'Ambrosio 13 0 24 IND Narain Karthikeyan DNQ 22 22 21 Ret 15 Ret 18 21 23 Ret Ret 19 Ret Ret 20 21 Ret 22 18 0 25 ESP Pedro de la Rosa DNQ 21 21 20 19 Ret Ret 17 20 21 22 18 18 17 18 Ret Ret 17 21 17 0 Pos. Position Driver AUSAUS MALMYS CHNCHN BHRBHR ESPESP MONMCO CANCAN EURESP GBRGBR GERDEU HUNHUN BELBEL ITAITA SINSGP JPNJPN KORKOR INDIND ABUARE USAUSA BRABRA PointsSource: Notes:  – Drivers did not finish the Grand Prix, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance. World Constructors' Championship standings Pos. Position Constructor No. Car number AUSAUS MALMYS CHNCHN BHRBHR ESPESP MONMCO CANCAN EURESP GBRGBR GERDEU HUNHUN BELBEL ITAITA SINSGP JPNJPN KORKOR INDIND ABUARE USAUSA BRABRA Points 1 AUT Red Bull-Renault 1 2 11 5 1 p f 6 4 4 p f Ret p 3 5 4 f 2 22† 1 1 p f 1 1 p 3 f 2 p f 6 460 2 4 4 4 4 11 1 p 7 4 1 8 8 6 20† 11 9 2 p f 3 Ret Ret 4 2 ITA Ferrari 5 5 1 9 7 2 3 5 1 2 p 1 p 5 Ret 3 3 Ret 3 2 2 3 2 400 6 Ret 15 13 9 15 6 10 16 4 12 9 5 4 8 2 4 6 7 4 3 3 GBR McLaren-Mercedes 3 1 f 14 2 18† 9 16† 16 8 10 2 6 1 p Ret 2 4 Ret 5 f 4 5 1 378 4 3 p 3 p 3 8 8 5 1 19† 8 Ret 1 p Ret 1 p Ret p 5 10 4 Ret p 1 Ret p f 4 GBR Lotus-Renault 9 7 5 f 14 2 3 9 8 2 5 f 3 2 3 5 6 6 5 7 1 6 10 303 10 Ret Ret 6 3 4 f Ret 2 Ret 6 18 3 Ret 13 7 19† 7 9 Ret 7 Ret 5 DEU Mercedes 7 Ret 10 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 3 7 7 f Ret 7 6 Ret 11 13 22† 11 16 7 142 8 12 13 1 p 5 7 2 6 6 f 15 10 10 11 7 f 5 Ret Ret 11 Ret 13 15 6 CHE Sauber-Ferrari 14 6 Ret 10 f 13 5 Ret 9 Ret 11 4 18† 13 9 13 3 Ret 14 6 14 9 126 15 8 2 11 11 Ret 11 f 3 9 Ret 6 14 Ret 2 10 Ret 11 Ret 15 11 Ret 7 IND Force India-Mercedes 11 10 7 12 6 14 7 11 7 Ret 11 12 10 8 4 12 12 12 9 15 19† 109 12 Ret 9 15 12 10 8 12 5 12 9 11 4 21† 14 f 7 6 8 Ret 8 5 8 GBR Williams-Renault 18 13† 19† 8 Ret 1 p Ret 13 12 16 15 13 Ret 11 Ret 8 14 16 5 9 Ret 76 19 16† 6 7 22† Ret 10 17 10 9 17 7 12 f 10 18† 14 15 10 8 10 Ret 9 ITA Toro Rosso-Ferrari 16 9 12 17 15 13 Ret 14 11 13 13 15 9 12 9 10 9 13 10 12 13 26 17 11 8 16 14 12 12 15 Ret 14 14 16 8 Ret Ret 13 8 15 12 Ret 8 10 MYS Caterham-Renault 20 Ret 18 23 17 16 13 18 14 17 19 17 17 14 15 15 17 18 13 18 14 0 21 Ret 16 18 16 17 Ret 19 13 DNS 16 19 14 15 19 17 16 17 16 17 11 11 RUS Marussia-Cosworth 24 14 17 19 19 18 14 Ret DNS 18 22 21 15 17 12 16 18 20 14 19 16 0 25 15† 20 20 Ret Ret Ret 20 15 19 20 20 16 16 16 Ret 19 19 Ret 20 12 12 ESP HRT-Cosworth 22 DNQ 21 21 20 19 Ret Ret 17 20 21 22 18 18 17 18 Ret Ret 17 21 17 0 23 DNQ 22 22 21 Ret 15 Ret 18 21 23 Ret Ret 19 Ret Ret 20 21 Ret 22 18 Pos. Position Constructor No. Car number AUSAUS MALMYS CHNCHN BHRBHR ESPESP MONMCO CANCAN EURESP GBRGBR GERDEU HUNHUN BELBEL ITAITA SINSGP JPNJPN KORKOR INDIND ABUARE USAUSA BRABRA PointsSource: Notes:  – Drivers did not finish the Grand Prix, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance. Official FIA results for the Constructors' Championship identified the constructors as "Red Bull Racing", "Scuderia Ferrari", "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes", etc.Classifications http://www.fia.com/championship/formula-1-world-championship/classifications Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile https://web.archive.org/web/20121208005957/http://www.fia.com/championship/formula-1-world-championship/classifications 8 December 2012 21 November 2021 Footnotes N References 3 External links The official website of Formula One The official website of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 1 2012 Formula One Category:Formula One seasons Formula 1