(Race 4) saw Sebastian Vettel finally get his first win of the year after a troubled start, looking to steady the ship for Red Bull.
And for three glorious months at the start of the year, every single driver on the grid believed they could be a winner. F1 2012
(Race 6) belonged to Mark Webber , the ultimate street-fighter, who held off Nico Rosberg and Alonso on the tightest circuit in F1. (Race 4) saw Sebastian Vettel finally get his
But the chaos resumed in (Race 5). Pastor Maldonado—then a pay-driver known for crashing—produced one of the biggest shockers of the decade. From pole position, the Venezuelan drove a flawless race in the Williams-Renault to take the team’s first win since 2004. It was a fairytale, albeit one that ended with a garage fire during the podium celebration. But the chaos resumed in (Race 5)
What followed was a masterclass in damage limitation. Vettel, with a damaged exhaust and floor, carved through the field. He overtook Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, and eventually finished 6th. Alonso, driving his heart out, finished 2nd behind race-winner Jenson Button. But it wasn't enough.
Race 3 in went to Nico Rosberg , who gave the resurrected Mercedes team (backed by the controversial "Double DRS" system) its first victory since 1955. The floodgates had opened.