McLaren driver Fernando Alonso says he rates the 2012 Formula 1 season as his best yet, putting 2016 in third place.
The Spaniard doesn’t place either of his title-winning seasons in 2005 and 2006 in the top three. Following his success with Renault (and one controversial season at McLaren), he moved to Ferrari for 2010.
Over the next five seasons Alonso finished runner-up three times, including in 2012 – where he won three races and scored nine further podiums.
He places 2012 as his best season, with 2014 in second and the latest F1 season (where he finished 10th overall for McLaren) in third.
“2012 is probably my best season in Formula One,” he is quoted saying by F1i. “Then it could be 2014 my second best.
“Then probably this one will be on the final step of the podium so far. I felt very confident in the car in every condition. Even the last 10 laps in Brazil [in the wet] I felt really competitive with 40-lap old tyres, things like that.
“That confidence in the car gave me the opportunity to drive at the limit on many occasions. Jenson is an incredible driver.
“Last year I experienced that and saw that and this year I was able to be in front of him many, many times.
“Even in qualifying we are 13-5, or something like that, but in three qualifyings I didn’t participate because I had the penalty already with the engine and so I did only Q1. So, that [difference] could be even higher than that.
“I consider this year on a very high standard from my driving part of view. So happy with the things that we’ve done, happy with the progress of the team as well, so a completely different taste… Twelve months ago we were disappointed, but sad, many things were going on in our heads last year.
“Instead this year everything is optimistic and everything is joy. We know there is still a long way to go to become champions, but the feeling is a lot happier than last year.”
