F1, 2012 : Vettel the champion, Alonso the driver of the year

The Spaniard treated us to a title race that went to the wire this season where none should have existed. He wrung the neck out of one of Ferrari’s poorest cars when it lacked quality or competitiveness, then held on resolutely when Vettel and Red Bull clicked into gear towards the season’s end.

Had the Spaniard managed to garner just 11 more points at the right times in his career, we could now be reflecting on Alonso as a five-time world champion with three different constructors. Since his 2005 and 2006 triumphs with Renault, he has had more near-misses than Pastor Maldonado on a slippery track.

For McLaren in 2007, he ended the year a single point behind Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari. In 2010 he led going into the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, only to be stranded in eighth place as Vettel took the lead in the championship for the first time in the season right at the death, winning by four points. This year, the margin was three points.

Had Vettel had the same car to drive, would he still be world champion?

Here're a couple of Season Review Videos...