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The 2012 Formula One season is the 63rd FIA Formula One season. The season started in Australia on 18 March and will end in Brazil on 25 November. It is being contested over twenty races – the most races in a season in the sport's history – and will see the return of the United States Grand Prix, which will be held at the Circuit of the Americas, a purpose-built circuit in Austin, Texas. After being cancelled in 2011 due to civil protests, the Bahrain Grand Prix returned to the calendar.

In addition to having the greatest number of races in a championship year, the 2012 season broke several records. Six current and former World Drivers' Champions — Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher — started the season, breaking the record of five established in 1970. The 2012 season was also the first time that the first six championship races of a season were won by six different drivers.

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• * Lewis Hamilton (1:21.707) was disqualified from the qualifying session. And sent to the back of the grid after stewards deemed he did not have enough fuel in his car, following the session; Hamilton had stopped on track following his qualifying lap. Hamilton excluded from qualifying results; Maldonado on pole
• † Vettel did not complete a flying lap during the third part of qualifying.
• ‡ Schumacher did not start a flying lap during the third part of qualifying.
• § Kobayashi stopped at the end of the second part of qualifying, and was not permitted to compete in the third part.
• Friday Practice 1 – Home advantage to Alonso
• Friday Practice 2 – Button leads in Barcelona for McLaren
• Saturday Practice – Vettel moves ahead in Spain
• Qualifying – Hamilton on pole from Maldonado
• Race – Magnificent Maldonado puts Williams back on top

• * Schumacher was demoted five places on the starting grid, following collision with Bruno Senna at the Spanish Grand Prix. Schumacher handed five-place grid penalty for Monaco
• † Vettel did not complete a flying lap during the third part of qualifying.
• ‡ Pastor Maldonado (1:15.245) was given a ten-place grid penalty for an avoidable collision with Sergio Pérez in the third free practice session. He was also given a five-place grid penalty for a change of gearbox. Maldonado takes grid penalty after Perez incident
• Thursday Practice 1 – Alonso sets early Monaco pace
• Thursday Practice 2 – Button tops rain-hit Monaco session
• Saturday Practice – Rosberg leads, Maldonado crashes
• Qualifying – Schumacher fastest, Webber on pole
• Race – Webber makes it six winners from six races