The return of a familiar face (and finger), action on - and beyond - the track, underdogs showing their teeth.... the Bahrain Grand Prix had it all, but who shone brightest through desert haze?
Sebastian Vettel found out just how crucial real time communications between driver and pit wall are in F1, when his failed midway through the Malaysian GP.
Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber wins the Brazilian Grand Prix, 16.9 seconds up on his team-mate, Sebastian Vettel; Jenson Button completes the podium for McLaren.
Sebastian Vettel closes to within just a single point of back-to-back F1 title triumphs with his ninth victory of 2011; Jenson Button pushes him all the way, as Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa collide...
Drivers - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Jarno Trulli (Team Lotus), Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
Just for a bit of fun, we have compiled a 'dream grid' for F1 2012, not with the driver line-ups we expect to see, but the driver line-ups we would like to see. Take a glance and tell us if you agree...
So you can impress your mates down the pub with your F1 knowledge and you are totally au fait with who drives which car - but do you actually know what the grand prix gladiators drive every day..?