WITH seven different drivers winning the first seven races of the 2012 Formula One season, the planet’s premier motor sport event has not been as unpredictable—and therefore, as exciting—in decades. Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel didn’t get a convincing title points lead until the 16th race of the 19-grand prix calendar, while Fernando Alonso was never seriously considered as a title contender before the season. And who would have thought seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher would fumble his way to retirement (likely to be permanent this time) or that comeback kid Kimi Raikkonen would land on third spot in the points count (boosted by a win, at that)?

The 2012 F1 season at a glance:     

Australia March 18
McLaren’s Jenson Button threw down the gauntlet to two-time defending world champion Vettel as he relegated the latter to second in a flying start to the season. McLaren had locked down the front row of the grid and it was Button who went on to dominate.

Standings: Button 25, Vettel 18, Hamilton 15
    
Malaysia March 25
A nearly hour-long storm interruption threw the race into confusion and left drivers fighting just to stay on the track. Alonso emerged from the chaos at the head of the field and drove his unrated Ferrari brilliantly to win the unpredictable race.

Standings: Alonso 35, Hamilton 30, Button 25
    
China April 15
Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg outclassed teammate Schumacher to claim his first victory in 111 attempts as he led from pole position to take the Chinese Grand Prix in style. It was Mercedes’ first victory since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.

Standings: Hamilton 45, Button 43, Alonso 37
    
Bahrain April 22
Bahrain’s controversial race went off without incident after a week of angry protests that put the non-sporting focus on reform demands in the Gulf state. Vettel led from start to finish to claim his first win of the year.

Standings: Vettel 53, Hamilton 49, Webber 48
    
Spain May 13
Pastor Maldonado became the first Venezuelan to win an F1 race, and went on to play a heroic role in a dramatic blaze in his Williams team’s garage. The win was also the team’s first victory since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix and came on the weekend of team founder Frank Williams’ 70th birthday.

Standings: Vettel 61, Alonso 61, Hamilton 53
    
Monaco May 27
Mark Webber claimed his first win this year and his team’s third successive Monaco Grand Prix victory. Webber’s win also meant six different drivers had won the opening six races of this season, for the first time in Formula One history.

Standings: Alonso 76, Vettel 73, Webber 73
Canada June 10

Lewis Hamilton made it seven different winners in seven races when he won in Montreal. His 18th career victory came five years to the day after he had claimed his maiden win at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Standings: Hamilton 88, Alonso 86, Vettel 85
    
Europe June 24
Local hero Alonso became the first man to win two Formula One races this year by triumphing in Valencia. Alonso, who won from 11th on the grid, was followed home by Raikkonen and Schumacher.    

Standings: Alonso 111, Webber 91, Hamilton 88

Britain July 8
Webber dragged himself into contention for the drivers’ world title by winning a dramatic race at Silverstone. The Australian posted a near-flawless performance to come in ahead of Alonso, with Vettel third.

Standings: Alonso 129, Webber 116, Vettel 100
    
Germany July 22
Alonso started from pole and dominated the race in style, leading from start to finish. Local favorite Vettel was handed a 20-second penalty for running off the track at a hairpin exit as he tried to pass Button on the penultimate lap.

Standings: Alonso 154, Webber 120, Vettel 110
    
Hungary July 29
Hamilton delivered a flawless drive from pole to revive his title challenge, resisting strong late pressure from Raikkonen. Hamilton’s win was his second of the year and the 19th of his career.

Standings: Alonso 164, Webber 124, Vettel 122
    
Belgium September 2
Button claimed his second win of the year in a race marred by a horrific first-bend crash that took out Hamilton and Alonso. Romain Grosjean went airborne as he tried to get past Hamilton, a move that earned him a one-race ban and fine.

Standings: Alonso 164, Vettel 140, Webber 132
    
Italy September 9
Hamilton won his third race of the year with a commanding drive from pole, which moved him up to second in the drivers’ standings. Alonso claimed third to extend his championship lead.

Standings: Alonso 179, Hamilton 142, Raikkonen 141
    
Singapore September 23
Vettel roared back into the title race as he survived two safety cars and capitalized on the retirement of race leader Hamilton to claim his second win of the season. The two-time defending champion moved up to second in the standings behind Alonso, who finished third.

Standings: Alonso 194, Vettel 165, Raikkonen 149
    
Japan October 7
Vettel slashed the title race to just four points as he stormed to victory at Suzuka after championship leader Alonso span out on the first turn. Vettel escaped a chaotic start and sped away to win. Home favorite Kamui Kobayashi’s first podium received huge roars from the capacity crowd.

Standings: Alonso 194, Vettel 190, Raikkonen 157
    
Korea October 14
Vettel leapfrogged Alonso at the top of the points race with a victory at Yeongam as he led from the first corner to seal a Red Bull one-two, the first of the season. Alonso finished third.

Standings: Vettel 215, Alonso 209, Raikkonen 167

India October 28
Vettel rattled off his fourth win in four races and his fifth of the season, leading from start to finish. The win pushed him clear of Alonso, who took second after starting from fifth on the grid.

Standings: Vettel 240, Alonso 227, Raikonnen 173

Abu Dhabi November 4
Raikkonen lived up to his “Ice Man” sobriquet by claiming his first win in his F1 comeback following a stint in world rally. He won convincingly ahead of Alonso, who pushed hard for victory in the closing laps of an extraordinary contest that included two prolonged safety car periods and a rash of major accidents. Vettel clung on to his championship lead in a dramatic grand prix. AFP

Standings: Vettel 255, Alonso 245, Raikkonen 198