F1 2012: After 4 Races

So, here we are, hours before the first race in Europe of the 2012 Formula One season. Four races in, four different winners – Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel– and no real pattern has emerged from this muddy pond as to who has the best car. Not only have we had four different winners, but more remarkably, those winners have all come from different teams!  Not since 1983 has F1 had such unpredictability about it.

Lewis Hamilton has shown great consistency with 3 thirds and an eighth (because of pit stop troubles) yet still lies second in the World Championship. Lotus, particularly Kimi Raikkonen, look very quick during races and if they qualified a little better, they may well win. Sergio Perez in his Sauber very nearly won in Malaysia and I’m sure that he will win a race at some point, whether this year or in the future. Then there’s Michael Schumacher, his best chance yet to win a race since his comeback.

There is a lot to be excited about in Formula One this season. None of the four races have been dull with the Pirelli tyres creating a need for drivers to look after their rubber. As different drivers wear their tyres at different rates, this provides many opportunities for overtaking for those on fresher tyres.

Overall, Formula One is more exciting than I can remember for a long time.