• F1 year in review

The year of the Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel was crowned the youngest world champion after a thrilling season finale in Abu Dhabi © Getty Images

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• Features: Sebastian Vettel - the heir to Schumacher's throne
  

The 2010 season saw three new teams make their Formula One debuts, the return of a seven-time world champion, and some familiar names back in the sport, albeit in different guises.

After ruling out a return to the track to replace the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari in 2009, Michael Schumacher announced his comeback at the age of 41. The Lotus brand returned to F1, joined by Virgin and Campos (later renamed Hispania Racing Team - or HRT) - who recruited the services of Bruno Senna - nephew of three-time world champion Ayrton.

In the worst-kept secret in F1, Fernando Alonso was unveiled at Ferrari, replacing the departing Kimi Raikkonen, who switched to rally driving, while reigning world champion Jenson Button made a surprise move to McLaren to join fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton.

For the first time since 1993, refuelling was banned during races, and 24 cars lined up on the grid, as Bahrain played host to the opening race of the season.

Alonso took first blood in a largely uneventful race in the desert, but in a dramatic race in Melbourne, Jenson Button battled from the back of the field to silence his critics who claimed he would be a perennial No. 2 driver at McLaren.

Rivalries between team-mates was to become a major theme of the season, with the battle for supremacy between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber at Red Bull; Nico Rosberg consistently outpacing Schumacher at Mercedes, and Ferrari's thinly-veiled order for Massa to allow Alonso to overtake at the German Grand Prix.

But after a sluggish start to the season, Webber was a surprise occupant at the top of the drivers' championship after back-to-back victories in Spain and Monaco. He was lucky to escape a terrifying accident at the European Grand Prix - when he was launched into the air after his car clipped Heikki Kovalainen, miraculously walking away unscathed despite landing upside down with his helmet an inch from the ground.

Jenson Button became Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at McLaren © Getty Images

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Hamilton finally topped the podium in Turkey, and followed it up with a win in Canada to become the fourth man to top the drivers' standings. With Hamilton leading the way, British fans were hoping for a repeat of 2008 - a home win at Silverstone, but for the second consecutive year, it was to be a Red Bull victory at Silverstone.

Vettel was the defending champion, and after securing pole, it looked like he would be returning to the top of the podium, but after Webber was forced to hand over his front wing to his team-mate after Vettel's was damaged, the Australian was furious. He stormed past his team-mate on the first corner and dominated the race to claim his third victory of the season. 'Not bad for a No. 2 driver,' he muttered.

The rivalry at Red Bull dominated the headlines, but it was soon overshadowed by Alonso's victory at the German Grand Prix. With the Spaniard needing a victory to get his title challenge back on track, he trailed team-mate Massa at Hockenheim.

Massa looked set to secure his first victory of the season, but with 17 laps remaining was ordered to move aside and let his team-mate pass to take the chequered flag. "Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?" Massa's race engineer Rob Smedley told him over the radio.

Felipe Massa moved aside to let Fernando Alonso pass him at the German Grand Prix © Getty Images

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Ferrari was subsequently fined $100,000 but was not docked points, but the FIA conceded the rule needed to be reviewed - and have since abolished the team orders rule.

Alonso's win seemed to reignite his season, and subsequent wins in Monza, Singapore and Korea saw him snatch control of the title chase with just two races remaining. But he was outgunned in Brazil, as Vettel led home a Red Bull 1-2 as the team clinched the constructors' championship - setting up an intriguing final race in Abu Dhabi.

The title was Alonso's to lose - but a gamble from Ferrari backfired, and the Spaniard could only manage seventh - ahead of main rival Webber. But that paved the way for Vettel - the man who had never led the title race at any stage of the season - to snatch the crown with a brilliant drive at Yas Marina to become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport.

Star man
Sebastian Vettel. Although Vettel never led the title race at a single point prior to when it mattered most, his pace was undoubted, and he showed maturity beyond his years to blaze to victory in Abu Dhabi. The man hyped as the heir to Schumacher's throne, Vettel was the fastest driver on the track - no more evident than in his 10 starts from pole. With five race victories he was a deserved champion.

Champagne Moment
With its glitz and glamour, the Monaco Grand Prix remains the jewel in the F1 calendar's crown. While the winner will only garner the standard 25 points for a race win in the Principality, the prestige of winning in Monte Carlo remains an honour in itself. Red Bull's celebrations after Mark Webber's victory, with the Australian jumping into the Mediterranean was a highlight of the season.

Mark Webber celebrates his victory in Monaco © Getty Images

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Surprise Package
Kamui Kobayashi. He racked up an impressive 32 points and was responsible for some of the most exciting on-track moments of the season as he carved his way through the field at several races.

Biggest Upset
Nico Rosberg beating Michael Schumacher at Mercedes again and again. After all the hype surrounding Schumacher's return, he was well and truly beaten and at times made to look like a rookie by his younger German team-mate.

Top rookie
Nico Hulkenberg impressive sixth at the Hungarian Grand Prix, before taking a surprise pole in Brazil. The German youngster - nicknamed the Hulk, claimed Williams' first pole in five years. With 22 points in an under-performing car, it was an impressive debut season for Hulkenberg, who is currently still looking for a drive next season after being released by Williams.

Flop
The three new teams, especially HRT. Nobody was expecting them to challenge the established teams but at times their qualifying pace was matched by the GP2 cars.

Talking Point
Ferrari's team orders at the German Grand Prix. It caused a massive uproar at the time (which would have been several times bigger had Alonso won the title) but also proved that the rule banning team orders was unpoliceable. The FIA has since lifted the ban.

Quotes
"I need a Red Bull ... the car, not the drink."
They say Red Bull gives you wings, but Nico Rosberg believes a Red Bull RB6 can win you a grand prix

"As soon as the lunatics start running the asylum you have big problems."
Mercedes' Nick Fry believes drivers should stick to their day job and not start questioning the team management

"It is easier to find a 50-year-old virgin than a sponsor for Formula One." Michael Schumacher's commercial manager Willi Weber makes clear the difficulty of finding funding for F1.

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