formula season formula season 63rd season formula motor racing featured formula world championship motor racing series formula cars recognised governing body highest class competition open wheel racing cars championship contested rounds started australia march ended brazil november season saw return held purpose built circuit austin texas cancelled civil protests returned calendar early season tumultuous seven different drivers winning seven races championship record series june driver ferrari won second race year emerged championship contender maintained hold championship lead seven races taking win germany finishing podium united_kingdom italy singapore costly lap belgium japan allowed rivals catch defending world champion like time title winner took lead sixteenth race season encountered difficulties season contact left finish outside points malaysia failures european italian prix cost valuable points exclusion qualifying led start pit lane entered final race season thirteen point lead needed podium finish stand chance race attrition finished safety car finished sixth place scoring points win consecutive championship driver sport year history red bull racing secured consecutive title finished second addition seeing seven drivers win seven races season broke records calendar season included races breaking previous record nineteen set current started season breaking record established teams drivers following teams race drivers competed formula world championship published provisional entry list november grid finalised february team changes november meeting geneva teams given permission change names recognised entity effectively owns team results team credited final approval granted december year lotus known reflecting team principal purchase changed lotus lotus cars expanded title sponsorship program include teams formula support series virgin following increased ownership team russian sports car manufacturer result changes declared ongoing dispute use lotus reached conclusion exact terms settlement kept confidential joint statement detailed transfer rights lotus names ownership williams announced engines seasons option use engines generation engine regulations previously supplied engines williams team won world drivers championships world championships following worst season thirty year history finished ninth points team underwent technical review employing designer having served suspension role formula espionage controversy chief designer promoting head likewise known underwent restructuring splitting mid season technical review board directors team announced technical partnership granted access testing facilities purchase facilities week indian grand prix force india announced purchased stake team valued million investment gave team principal equal stake team team director controlling remaining team terms sale force india naming rights sponsor changed team announcing known new originates performance luxury road car brand team principal formally left position team citing relocation headquarters spain reason separation driver took place team principal january team relocated new facility settling permanent facility madrid formally stepped position team principal week korean grand prix appointing team ceo successor appointment female team principal sport year history driver changes season saw driver changes lotus chose option contract offer new contract replaced world drivers champion returning sport seasons competing reigning series champion returned sport year absence later replaced replacement meant opening race season race german grand prix place italian driver grid joined williams team having previously attempted secure season replaced left formula record breaking nineteen seasons later moved season joining like returned formula joining force india alongside paul left team having spent years force india previous incarnations midland initially sought drive williams negotiations collapsed december later subject criminal action charged harm allegedly assaulting senior team member glass shanghai nightclub following chinese grand prix found guilty sentenced eighteen month suspended jail sentence ordered pay fine despite rejoined force india season retain instead choosing replace formula series runner previously served team test reserve driver placed british grand prix completed limited testing schedule team second half season testing reserve driver contest hours toyota driving hybrid offered seat turned instead joined tyre supplier test driver developing tyre compounds use racing alongside driver returned formula time drive italian grand prix having spent majority season test driver making appearance racing dropped team british grand prix favour race appearance indian grand prix leaving team season began drove joined indian super series series later postponed unable retain seat team launch march confirmed team testing reserve drivers alongside series driver chinese driver step formula car left known brazilian grand prix later joined lotus driver placed fourth series driving joined replacing mid season changes season saw driver change brought lotus driver found race responsible causing multi car pile start given race ban fine role collision forcing miss italian grand prix replaced team testing reserve driver returned team round singapore season calendar calendar changes new returning races grand prix cancelled race reinstated season provisional date october final version calendar brought race forward april returned german grand prix held line event policy alternating venues announced austin texas host return indianapolis known venue brand new purpose built permanent circuit designed event promoter assistance german architect circuit designer november expressed minor doubt race going ahead described disagreements inside management company gave circuit owners race organisers deadline december coinciding meeting release final calendar sort differences risk losing event entirely final calendar included race confirming new arrangement event organisers paid circuit fees race originally scheduled held june moved penultimate event season response concerns heat texas summer effects teams drivers spectators failure race organisers meet key deadline race fees failed races turkish grand prix removed calendar event organisers agree renewed contract august organisers race revealed negotiating resume place calendar race removed calendar later month changes rule changes technical regulations season saw teams running throttle blown created forcing fuel engine produce exhaust gases directing driver applying throttle concept originally banned phases increasingly restrictive rules teams ban applied british grand prix onwards ban controversial teams applying receiving permission total ban discussion engine manufacturers original regulations restored ban delayed regulations governed design exhaust teams agreeing strict constraints position exhaust resulted exhaust exiting higher longer vicinity teams including williams mercedes young driver tests opportunity test parts season face ban october amended rules issued effectively banning exotic engine maps november amendments introduced completely banning practice blowing exhaust parts car improve following bid teams allow certain conditions amendments february mercedes alerted regulations allow teams continue partially blown responded writing software governing engine close july referred race noted engine maps potential violate technical regulations stood accused manipulating relationship produced degree throttle open particularly medium speed corners allowing air pass exhaust generating cleared wrongdoing words technically broken rules announced plans rewrite regulations governing throttle mapping outlaw practice entirely ahead hungarian grand prix week later rule changes required teams submit engine map races season known reference map subsequent changes throttle map require approval provided output rpm percent output specified reference map changes allowed races exceptional atmospheric conditions designated january banned use ride height system proposed lotus applied hydraulic cylinders located brake suspension push rods minute adjustments ride height car keeping ride height optimal level race providing stability braking initially approved device legal teams including ferrari williams submitted plans versions device banned week later later confirmed ride height systems violated article technical regulations states aerodynamic effect created suspension incidental primary function device influences car remain relation sprung car noted system primary purpose achieving aerodynamic gains opposed providing stability braking use ride heights challenged article technical regulations govern suspension systems technical regulations include car nose regulations allowed nose high centimetres ground revisions sporting code lowered maximum height centimetres ahead bulkhead resulted cars launched nose teams designed cars visible change height nose assembly car mercedes team principal explained distinctive nose shape having come teams wanting use chassis basis cars drivers longer permitted gearbox change prior drivers entitled change course season place grid penalty system abandoned drivers allowed change races starting cars required pass mandatory crash tests allowed pre season testing previously passing crash tests requirement prior race season crash tests season rigorous previous years meeting geneva november use air guns change tyres pit stops banned despite increasing rotation speed air guns practice deemed expensive continue competitive gains offered grand prix banned use trick brake devices metallic strip changed shape heated brakes open close braking improving braking efficiency certain conditions deemed breach article sporting regulations states changes braking system car moving directly controlled driver sporting regulations banned season testing returned test held ahead european leg championship teams permitted days testing course season pre season winter testing schedule cut accommodate test september meeting representatives member organisations voted amend rules double yellow flags sanctioned championships amendment means double flags shown track marshal working circuit tyre supplier revised tyre compounds season effort encourage teams use compounds supplied individual races predicted changes translate seconds difference lap harder softer compounds seconds lap according hardest tyre compound available harder compound offer comparison hardest tyres harder faced applying changes teams requested definition constitutes rules set sixth agreement teams forced compete names necessarily reflect ownership competing despite withdrawing sport end season order preserve status current claim share television rights paid teams placed final world championship standings final meeting december series amendments sporting regulations published chief introduction rule allow traffic safety car remained introduced released queue car returns pit lane allowing drivers ensure clean restart drivers permitted leave confines circuit reason following incidents drivers sighted access roads circuit reconnaissance laps order preserve fuel tyres similarly drivers allowed return normal racing line choose defensive line going corner races run maximum hour time limit prevent indefinite suspension race stop theoretical possibility race lasting hours rule introduced response rain interrupted canadian grand prix set record longest race formula history hours minutes thirty seconds driver pit lane race suspended permitted return circuit position grid running time suspension british grand prix july disabled use drag reduction system race yellow flags shown sector zone followed incident observed activate yellow flags shown changes july joint broadcasting deal formula united_kingdom announced bbc announcement controversial met highly negative reactions fans observers previously believed terms agreement prevented formula broadcast exclusively pay view agreement prevent shared broadcast proposal bbc controversial nature broadcast deal led culture media house_of_commons calling senior bbc figures including director general answer questions details broadcasting arrangement december ferrari exited following prolonged debate implementation controversial team principal reaffirmed team commitment cost cutting measures highlighting team concerns certain felt teams manufacturers willingly exploit week later left organisation swiss team publicly reason ending membership february sister team reported having left organisation december race pre season testing barcelona season preceded test sessions barcelona sessions gave teams drivers opportunity cars teams accuracy testing times representative running order season second test barcelona discovered critical fault build chassis forced miss days running unable complete mileage cars failed crash tests teams able complete cars round australia season began australia took early lead pole cars rest field bottle contact corner button remained mid race safety car retrieve stricken button went victory melbourne circuit ahead safety car pass hamilton team principal later admitted button marginal fuel team mistake calculating fuel loads race forcing button use severe fuel saving mode eighth lap race hamilton came threat late stages race held secure place finished fourth best result home grand prix finished fifth having endured pressure pastor half race race ended crossed final lap spun wall finished seventh poor qualifying session saw start race seventeenth taking advantage chaotic final lap places retired bizarre collision saw cars failed qualify race second consecutive season drivers failed set lap time fastest qualifying time round malaysia locked row grid second race succession pole cars qualified race filled final row grid seconds second position race hamilton better start lead short lived heavy rain interrupted race forcing suspension race restarted hour later button involved contact forced stop new wing hamilton slow pit stop held lane cars passed inherited lead surprise second having early stop extreme wet weather tyres taking advantage rush pit lane position restart race wore began quickly catch drying track driver pit dry weather tyres lap triggering round stops initially looked left stop late emerged pits seconds began catching time world champion rate closed half second seven laps ran wide turn lost seconds later admitting mistake unable close gap went win race seconds win giving point lead championship second taking podium best result independent team hamilton finished ahead button settle fourteenth finished sixth scoring points single race team scored finished outside points making contact developing round china championship resumed weeks later china lead period race marked protesting legality mercedes rear wing design rejected protest mercedes allowed continue racing car unchanged took team pole position return formula penalty gearbox change promoted second grid ultimately retire race round stops discovered wheels attached properly took early lead race attempt complete race pit stops came threat second placed mistake button pit crew final stop handed nineteen second advantage attempting similar stop strategy tyres wore seven laps end race lost positions single lap forced drive preserve tyres button recovered disastrous pit stop pass second button held incumbent world champion long preserve tyres person win grand prix result mercedes win won italian grand prix button second hamilton scoring consecutive place giving point championship lead button leading championship race finished ninth opening rounds championship scored points formula finishing sixth round face ongoing media speculation public pressure cancel race ongoing political instability released statement chinese grand prix confirming ahead planned week preceding grand prix saw renewed wave protests government attempts use race tell outside world thing normal human rights organisations including criticised decision hold race amid violent days race group force india mechanics travelling unmarked hire car involved petrol bombing incident impromptu briefly exposed tear gas fired security forces injuries damage mechanics involved chose leave country team later announced intentions race despite incident qualified pole brazilian grand prix qualified sixteenth second time predecessor advanced qualifying period dry conditions went win race fourth winner races spending race defending having started eleventh extra set soft tyres field team mate finished initially shown pace challenge lead unlike extra set fresh tyres lost touch reigning set stops finished eighth hampered slow pit stops later involved altercation saw referred forcing hamilton boundary circuit defending position escaped penalty hamilton went finish eighth team mate forced retire laps end race reporting unusual vibration differential involved early contact saw australian driver slide order sixth start fifteenth end race having spent grand prix caught win gave point lead championship hamilton fourth consecutive fourth place secured overall took lead lotus double podium moved overall decision hold race despite ongoing protests controversial sport year history mid season test starting teams conducted day test italy ahead spanish grand prix test gave teams opportunity assess major aerodynamic upgrades racing elected test instead choosing concentrate establishing new headquarters madrid lotus operations director red bull racing driver questioned value testing circuit characteristics circuit unlike circuits championship visit test driver critical choice testing venue felt safe formula comments came shortly crashed final morning test lotus team critical test felt costs conducting season testing benefits stating opposition continuing mid season testing future round spain following criticism sensitivity tyre compounds tyre supplier announced changes tyre allocation making pit strategy focal point later problems tyre compounds originating developing testing chassis years date time took pole season williams driver pastor half second team mate eliminated early spun hamilton later excluded qualifying results car fuel return pits promoting pole position moving hamilton grid took lead race corner reclaimed second round pit stops team forced ferrari pit early held maintained lead seven seconds mistake crew pit stop cost time left vulnerable ferrari driver final stint race placed moved ambitious strategy attempt force race life tyres allowing minute steal place strategy failed pressure laps winning race seconds williams win thirty starts previous race win victory brazilian grand prix recovered fourth grid finish eighth overcame drive penalty stop technical fault forced team replace wing late sixth place preserve championship lead round second consecutive race fastest driver qualifying start race pole set fastest time place grid penalty left sixth overall hours race protests parts introduced floor left team principal choice change parts start cars pit lane result team recorded preserved leave parts car allowing drivers start race positions qualified post race exclusion ultimately chose option started pole establishing early lead corner accident eliminated cars race run constant threat rain drivers trying extend life tyres avoid forced additional stop falling order rain observed set intermediate tyres late race variety strategies runners resulted laps contested cars running nose tail visibly faded final laps held following cars momentarily pinned slow moving won race second streets second result giving point lead championship maintained lead championship rival teams chose follow threat pre race protest finished thirteenth overtake tenth place winner given place grid penalty incident saw clip combined place penalty changing gearbox started row grid eliminated corner accident round canada week declared floor illegal forcing team change parts despite ruling team results kept intact team forced change design race director felt holes technical regulations comfortably took pole position tenths second controlled early phase race caught passed round stops slipped shortly drivers stop strategy time hamilton second stop shifted stop strategy team discussing strategy options native spanish prevent rivals plans hamilton laps second deficit easily response pitted reigning fell fifth hamilton target tyres lost grip fell victim hamilton quick succession hamilton won race seventh winner seven races taking point lead championship second place saw lotus place championship ferrari expressed surprise finishing podium winner finished sixteenth described worst race years suffered failure left drag reduction system device jammed open position round europe man win races scoring home win spanish grand prix starting eleventh forced navigate way traffic narrowly avoiding early contact broke free field establish second lead round stops lead contact triggering deployment safety car clear debris circuit found restart mistake second placed lead chase pulled away lead short lived lost drive engine shut lap attempted challenge forced race problem seven laps later leaving lead seconds clear race entered final laps forced way past hamilton secure second place pastor attempts place ended hamilton barrier broken nose williams driver finished tenth given post race drive penalty classified twelfth started way field virtue late pit stop easily picked minor points positions taking advantage hamilton collision finish fourth podium chinese grand prix win cemented point lead championship whilst retirement relegated fourth overall points round great britain difficult conditions greeted teams arrival parts received month rainfall space days torrential rain lasted weekend forcing qualifying suspended ninety minutes race day clear circuit declared dry allowing drivers start tyre compound choice harder tyre away start paul crashed lap making contact leaders settled rhythm collided prompting angry response mexican driver team mate ran trouble locking tyres entered pit box hitting members pit crew seriously injured race ultimately decided choice tyre stint moved softer option harder prime final phase race caught laps passing wellington straight held second win season fourth best result achieving podium south_korea result meant closed thirteen points championship lead drivers breaking away placed showing early promise wet conditions went backwards dry losing second place championship ferrari lotus round germany limited running practice wet qualifying session meant teams strategies controlled race pole position lead pitted went victory season grand prix started disaster picked lap spent race tail end field retiring lap suspension problem confusion briefly reigned hamilton seventeenth place time began faster leaders sought later claimed ploy force drive defensively hamilton slowing allow team mate leap frog second round stops lost position button unaffected ferrari pitted hamilton interfere race button briefly looked pace pass race lead race final laps button began fade final laps race race marked technical dispute referred felt illegal engine map use elected action stating team violated technical regulations noted accept arguments presented team asked explain ran wide trying pass button complete pass outside limits circuit seconds added race time penalty fifth overall button promoted second inherited place classified career best fourth round hungary championship moved second half season maintained thirty point lead nearest rival points outlook race qualifying sixth pinning hopes wet race continued mid season resurgence returning pole position time malaysian grand prix following aborted start triggered lining wrong grid position shutting engine confusion hamilton lead field away prematurely moving stop strategy gave hamilton order hold position tight confines circuit forced teams try positions pits evidenced inherited lead set stops produced series fast laps allowed rejoin second coming dangerously close team mate brakes emerged pit lane despite taking seconds hamilton lead laps rejoining race powerless reel hamilton hamilton won race nineteenth career hamilton victory brought points championship contention late decision stop strategy saw australian slip extended championship lead points round belgium championship resumed month later belgium qualified pole broke away start car pile started contact slammed eliminating spot triggering safety car car damaged pastor spun amidst chaos later given race ban causing collision driver eighteen years banned racing retired shortly restart broken wing making contact spun mid way race wheel came loose button controlled race way second tenth grid started finished let conservative pit strategy forced second stop late race order use compounds tyre rules apparent button racing stop strategy finished career best fourth place button win allowed regain precious ground championship fight retirement race second place moved reigning points championship lead scored points malaysian grand prix finishing eighth ninth respectively order summoned charges unsafe pit release released directly path team given fine incident round italy final race europe took place ferrari early bid pole position way offer ended disaster rear anti roll bar failed final period qualifying leaving championship leader tenth took pole hamilton asserted early control race ferrari significant ground early running second despite losing data cars pit wall provided proved hamilton biggest challenge starting outside elected start harder compound tyres complete stop producing fastest lap fastest lap confidence broken car fuel pressure problem hamilton ultimately prevail forced push final laps maintain lead won race seconds claimed podium season second place went finish button retirement drive penalty reigning forced wide forced circuit later criticised race similar altercation approach early race serving suspension lotus enlisted driver second driver weekend qualified sixteenth went finish thirteenth overall suffered double retirement falling victim failure spinning violently resultant damage tyres sending vibrations car forced retire allowed hamilton drivers finished race fifth second place world drivers championship result enabling close gap round singapore teams returned asia focus shifted championship race ideal position fight qualifying pole whilst manage fifth place physically demanding race year teams position phase trying position final laps drivers established rhythm hamilton gearbox failed forcing race handing lead race shortened laps fit hour time limit grand prix following pair lengthy safety car barriers lap forcing safety car deployed drivers little opportunity comfortable restart braking point end bridge triggering safety car second time accident near mirror image collision later given place grid penalty japanese grand prix controlled race second restart beating line second win season months previously completed podium retaining championship lead defending paul late race string including late engine problem left brazilian minor burns series involving fought minor points positions allowed finish twelfth result seeing retake tenth position round japan luck finally ran japan having spent season poor results rivals needed victim dramatic corner clash spinning contact paving way championship rivals considerable point championship lead caught opening lap melee hit forced pit straight away given second stop penalty causing lap incident ran hitting whilst trying avoid earning drive penalty troubles retired spot added growing list early slid brakes gravel trap whilst trying force way past struggling won race pole position having led lap race setting fastest lap time process complete second finished second podium result korean grand prix whilst claimed podium career podium japanese driver finished late pressure retiring taking points victory championship fight close season long round korea momentum continued week later korea winning consecutive race taking point championship lead finished overcame pole start aided building lead lap contact saw button retire damage collision pulled approach turn forcing protracted yellow flag period attempted retrieve car sporting regulations banning overtaking yellow flags shown field effectively opening laps drivers unable pass tyre management focus race drivers reported heavy particularly right tyre bore load lap circuit ignored radio calls pit wall tyre failure imminent backing final laps secure victory seconds team later denied problem tyres order fought way sixteenth grid finish eighth ninth drove conservative race finish seventh having warned lap altercation likely result disqualification race day went bad worse anti roll bar failed car handled tyres poorly forced stop order finish tear length havoc slid tenth place narrowly charge final world championship point offer button retirement hamilton single point meant lost second place hamilton admitted bid world drivers champion round india ferrari strategy staying championship battle saw introduce upgrades remaining race season starting extensive revision advantage offered catch dominated weekend setting fastest time practice session qualifying pole leading lap lap race denied set fastest lap race final lap finished second conceding seven championship points ferrari driver rounded drivers start race proceeded chase second overtaking australian long straight car developed fault laps end recovered held late challenge complete podium order finished seventh spending race trapped later claimed mistakes saturday robbed podium sunday retired race suffered brake failure saw spin barriers turn race marked series explosive cars light contact right rear tyre lap contact corner suffered similar circumstances wing loose rubber damaging floor car forced retirement tyre touched speed approach turn forcing run wide run suffering lasting damage round dominant run car found insufficient fuel qualifying subsequently moved grid led race away start started pit lane took advantage chaotic opening corner saw forced pitted damage began round early progress came expense wing contact turn chose pit time race interrupted intervention safety car forced pit damage wing process overtaking car began fail indian quickly slowed caught troubles launched barrier safety car period forced pit avoid crashed marking start zone damaging wing took opportunity pit early laps soft tyre supplier predicted hamilton suffered mechanical failure leading race forced handing lead inherited second began work way field forced second stop tyres started losing grip saved second appearance safety car moments later brought forced wide rejoined circuit cut contact turn forced path retired whilst given stop penalty racing resumed began rebuild lead button fourth button duel allowed break free started chasing laps held secure lotus victory season second caught passed button complete podium keeping point championship lead process finishing podium win contention leaving title fought final races season round united_states despite troubled construction period passed final inspection september allowing race ahead took sixth pole position season whilst struggled qualifying start race ninth eighth received grid penalty gearbox change amid concerns drivers starting numbered grid slots suffer lack grip located racing line ferrari deliberately broke seal gearbox giving place grid penalty promoting seventh clean grid ferrari fears merit drivers starting number spaces fell start race quickly converted pole position steady race lead fought regain second place moments hamilton caught lap australian suffered problem halt team principal later admitted team perpetual problems concern race left championship world championship stake little time correct problem running hamilton turned steadily closed gap lead overtaking world championship leader lap got caught sector allowed hamilton pass long straight hamilton held lead final fourteen laps second half hamilton afford relax won race tenths second recovered seventh finish marking time hamilton stood podium races contested forcing title fight extend final round brazil order overcame gearbox penalty finish fourth fell twelfth grid sixteenth end lap alternative strategy way fifth hand went backwards qualifying fifth mercedes tyres forcing second stop sent order finish sixteenth clutch problem stop deprived chance compete final podium place drivers qualified time raced russian team held tenth place despite losing failure collected points secure consecutive world championship title round brazil final race season run conditions wet drivers use wet tyres dry slick tyres provide grip fought race lead involved lap clash damaged exhaust spun place retired spot caught race attrition pastor crashing early button seized lead hamilton soon found pressure lost lead german driver lap second place hamilton shortly field round stops lower points running fourth needed podium stand chance champion spun lap lost lead hamilton caught lap encountered traffic contact corner forcing hamilton race earning drive penalty causing accident wake collision button took lead held end race rain intensified prompting teams scramble tyres penalty hamilton retirement promoted podium second place team mate yielded slow stop relegated twelfth swinging balance power favour laps race began way order seventh secure title leaving vulnerable damage received lap left long crack running floor car got worse seventh sixth moved aside let laps end race paul crashed heavily came main straight forcing deployment safety car button won race sixth place secure consecutive world drivers championship finished season overall having benefited hamilton retirement hold place following bizarre incident left circuit attempted rejoin taking support pit lane find way blocked forcing double find way circuit final race formula seventh place saw finish season thirteenth place overall worst performance season contested rounds season ferrari secured second place cars podium ninth place sixth mercedes lost tenth place secured team best result season eleventh place director engineering later claimed deliberately let announced season days race action taken response claims post season controversy days brazilian grand prix reports began surface suggesting championship threat ferrari filing formal protest race results challenge centred pass early race time sector circuit yellow flag conditions following spin retirement pastor circuit corner feeds straight overtook straight led claims pass illegal yellow flags intense media speculation suggested challenge threatened championship race finished safety car post race penalty potential race standings points secure title ferrari wrote requesting matter reviewed incident declared pass legal green flag shown marshal adjacent pit exit meaning track green point onward confusion caused digital board showing yellow flag exit metres post ferrari red bull racing announced satisfied ruling preserving championship results standings prix drivers standings points awarded classified finishers notes drivers finish grand prix classified completed race distance standings notes cars finish grand prix classified completed race distance official results championship identified red bull racing ferrari mercedes etc
2012 Formula One season