F1 review 2011

Skysports.com reviews the 2011 season which saw Sebastian Vettel retain the world title.

On the face of it, a season that saw a world champion retain his title with 11 wins in 19 races doesn't sound too exciting and whilst it's true that 2011 can hardly be described as a vintage year for Formula 1, there was still plenty of interest for those who cared to give the sport more than a cursory glance. From the start, the form of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull appeared ominous, with the German at times appearing to toy with the opposition. Rivals got a look in occasionally but in truth it never seemed likely that Vettel would stumble. At the age of 24, he therefore stands as F1's youngest double world champion and, alongside Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, arguably the most complete driver in the sport. The latter pair both endured a frustrating year, with Alonso grappling a Ferrari that failed to deliver upon its pre-season promise while Hamilton endured his worst season yet in F1. Bested by McLaren team-mate Jenson Button in the standings and bedevilled by problems both on and away from the track, Hamilton at times cut a sombre figure in the paddock. Yet he still scored three wins, two more than Vettel's own team-mate Mark Webber, who can be forgiven for feeling a little shell-shocked as the year reaches its close. Elsewhere, Michael Schumacher was again seen to struggle in comparison with his pomp - seeming a more likeable figure as a result - while Paul di Resta made a solid, if not spectacular start to his F1 career. Vettel might have walked it but all the way down the grid there were battles to be fought, intrigue to be unpicked and excitement to be had; with 12 teams and 24 competitors herded on to one 'field of play' the possibilities are many. Factor in a continuous stream of technical and tactical innovation and sprinkle some sharp political manoeuvring on top, then it's quite some recipe. Perhaps someone should come up with a dedicated TV channel to cope? Driver of the season: Sebastian Vettel Vettel's title success last year was a smash and grab affair. Having not led the drivers' championship all season, he took the final race by the scruff of the neck and delivered whilst his rivals floundered. That race in Abu Dhabi set the pattern for 2011 - one that has repeated itself so often it's almost as if, casting one's mind back, the 19 races have melded into one. In fact, Vettel won 11 times but it was the manner in which he achieved the majority of those successes which gives the 2011 season a plotline akin to that of 'Groundhog Day'. The young Weltmeister invariably failed to show his hand until qualifying, and even then it would only be in Q3 that we were left under no illusions that, once again, it was business as usual. Fast forward 24 hours and Vettel would streak clear at the lights (or bluntly chop across any rival who even dared to make a better start) before building a lead. His Red Bull's working of Pirelli's new rubber ensured this advantage was never quite that which he might have eked out in the previous two seasons and yet Vettel's ability to manage his tyres time after time, whilst keeping just out of reach of his nearest pursuer, took his success way beyond the simplest of equations i.e. the fastest driver in the fastest car. It didn't work out all the time - Lewis Hamilton passed him to win in China - while one wheel out of place in Canada was all it took for Jenson Button to take advantage. Such mishaps, though, shrivel when placed next to the wins he