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There have been a multitude of extraordinary single-season performances from F1 drivers who never managed to secure the world title at the end of the year, and pundit Karun Chandhok has revealed the one he thinks stands above all others.
Just last year, fans were treated to an inspiring comeback from Max Verstappen in the second half of the season, where he came just two points away from snatching the title from Lando Norris’ grasp in Abu Dhabi.
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The Dutchman rounded out the year with the most Grand Prix victories out of anyone else on the grid, including Norris and his McLaren counterpart, Oscar Piastri. It would have marked the Dutchman’s fifth consecutive title, but Norris claimed a maiden one instead.
However, Karun Chandhok sees Fernando Alonso’s 2012 season with Ferrari as the clear occupant of the top spot in the debate, with Verstappen’s title-less feats coming in third, and Niki Lauda’s rollercoaster of a 1976 campaign as the runner-up.
Karun Chandhok sees Fernando Alonso’s ‘flawless’ 2012 season as best title-less F1 campaign
During an appearance on Autosport’s F1 podcast, in which the best title-less campaign in history was debated, Chandhok couldn’t help but agree with Kevin Turner’s verdict of Alonso’s 2012 campaign.
As part of Ferrari’s F1 efforts that year, the Spaniard took what was arguably the fourth fastest car on the grid to a title showdown with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel at the final round of the season in Sao Paulo.
Despite Alonso finishing four places ahead of the German driver at that year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, it wasn’t enough to secure him a third world title. Vettel ended up taking the championship with a three-point advantage in the F1 standings.
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However, as detailed by Turner and Chandhok, the now-44-year-old was nothing short of perfect over the duration of the 20-race-long calendar.
“I can’t really see a chink in the Alonso armour over the 20 races in that car,” Turner said. “I can’t think of anyone else who would have taken that to a championship finale.”
The former HRT driver agreed, adding, “When you send me a text saying this is the episode we’re thinking of doing, my brain immediately went to Alonso 2012, immediately.
“It’s just because I remember watching the season unfold, and he was just flawless. It’s a rare season when you stand up and go, a driver made zero mistakes. Absolutely flawless.”
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Jolyon Palmer sees Fernando Alonso’s 2012 campaign as the closest an F1 driver has come to ‘perfection’
Despite missing out on the title to Vettel, Alonso’s performances that year hold a special place in the hearts of many F1 fans and pundits alike.
Jolyon Palmer, who was racing in the GP2 Series at the time, previously highlighted Alonso’s 2012 campaign as the closest that an F1 driver has come to achieving pure ‘perfection’.
It truly was a remarkable season from the Spaniard, with consistency being a leading factor in his championship challenge.
Alonso actually closed out the term with the most podiums out of anyone else on the grid. However, his 13 trips to the rostrum that year proved to be no match for Vettel’s occupation of the top step at many of the race weekends.
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