2012 Formula One World Championship
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.
Sebastian Vettel (pictured in 2011) became a three-time World Champion with Red Bull Racing.
Fernando Alonso, driving for Ferrari, finished runner-up, three points behind Vettel.
Kimi Räikkönen finished the season in third place on his return to F1, driving for Lotus.
The Red Bull RB8 is the car entered by defending World Constructors' Champion Red Bull, and which won the World Constructors' Championship in 2012.
2012 Australian Grand Prix
The 2012 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 March 2012 as the opening round of the 2012 Formula One season. It was the 77th race in the combined history of the Australian Grand Prix that dates back to the 100 Miles Road Race of 1928, and the 17th time the event has been held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park.
Mark Webber came into his home Grand Prix hoping to finish higher than his personal best of fifth place.
Marussia had not run either of their cars prior to the season; Charles Pic (pictured) made his first Formula One start in Australia.
Michael Schumacher spun off at Turn 9 in the final practice session.
Felipe Massa was one of the drivers to spin into the gravel during the free practice sessions
