Zoom in: F1 2011 season review

All the best LAT images from the 2011 Formula 1 season

Declaration of intent: The cancellation of Bahrain meant that the season started in Melbourne, and Sebastian Vettel wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet.

  • Declaration of intent: The cancellation of Bahrain meant that the season started in Melbourne, and Sebastian Vettel wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet.
  • The 22s deficit between Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton in Australia gave the Briton food for thought.
  • McLaren's pre-season tests didn't go to plan, but second for Lewis Hamilton in Australia offered the team hope.
  • Hamilton's management would be a topic of conversation throughout the season. Here he shares a moment with former manager, father Anthony.
  • Vettel took another dominant win in Malaysia, but Mark Webber was still looking for his first podium of the season.
  • Classic shot from the Sepang grandstands. Renault's Nick Heidfeld went on to finish third, but the team wouldn't make it back to the podium for the rest of the season.
  • Mercedes was one of the best teams in the pits during the year. Michael Schumacher departs after a stop in Malaysia.
  • The Pirellis dropped so much rubber in Malaysia that picking up a bit of extra weight on the tyres was easy after the race.
  • Shanhgai circuit's drain covers managed to stay in the ground this year.
  • Michael Schumacher made little early progress from his 2010 struggles, but he kept a brave face on.
  • Jaime Alguersuari only made it as far as the first round of pitstops in China.
  • Hamilton was the centre of attention for all the right reasons after a stunning win in China.
  • Despite beating Red Bull last time out, Lewis Hamilton knew he had a fight on his hands in Turkey.
  • The red lights are about to go out on the final Turkish Grand Prix, for now.
  • Turkey was one of the toughest races for tyre wear, but Kamui Kobayashi didn't help his own cause with this lock-up.
  • Alonso plots his next move in what was one of the starts of the season.
  • The Spanish crowd was enthralled by the battle until Alonso's day turned sour.
  • Ferrari struggled to match the pace of the Red Bulls, but Fernando Alonso managed to salvage a podium in Istanbul.
  • Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton, three world champions fighting it out.
  • Overhead shot of Ste Devote, one of F1's most notorious first corners.
  • More woe in Monaco for Webber, who missed out on a podium again.
  • Schumacher is a five-time winner at Monaco, but he failed to finish there this year.
  • No, he's not in the harbour, he's in Red Bull's swimming pool.
  • Schumacher shone in the madness of Canada but couldn't quite land a podium.
  • Button celebrates the most unlikely of wins in Canada.
  • Vettel rues his last-lap mistake in Canada, which handed victory to Jenson Button.
  • One of Lewis Hamilton's many moments of contemplation during the season.
  • McLaren pit crew springs into action in Valencia, complete with KERS-friendly rubber gloves.
  • Renault's exhaust system was an early season talking point, but it later proved to be the team's undoing.
  • Fernando Alonso leaves the pits on his way to his only win of the year for Ferrari.
  • Alonso could have at least got his horse in the right direction before holding it up to the world.
  • This was a rare sight for the Prancing Horse in 2011.
  • Hamilton was back to his best in Germany, and notched up another victory.
  • Nick Heidfeld's home grand prix was an indicator of how his season was heading. He only had one more start after this.
  • Perhaps Heidfeld was aware that time was running out?
  • Cue lots of puns about Lewis being isolated, coming out of the darkness, and so forth.
  • Hamilton had Vettel under pressure early in the race at Hungary.
  • McLaren's drivers went wheel-to-wheel in Hungary, which was one of Button's strongest drives of the year.
  • More woe for Heidfeld as his last start with Renault ends with his car exploding.
  • Bruno Senna had little time to get acquainted with the Renault but put it seventh on the grid.
  • Michael Schumacher celebrated the 20th anniversary of his F1 debut in Belgium.
  • Nico Rosberg enjoyed the view from the front when he led early on at Spa.
  • Spa, Eau Rouge, rain. All cliche boxes ticked.
  • HRT had few opportunities to nearly take out a Ferrari, but it had a go at Monza.
  • Red Bull was meant to get beaten in Italy. Vettel had other ideas.
  • Alonso navigates through one of the many famous sections on the circuit, The Ascari esses.
  • Schumacher is still hugely popular in Italy.
  • The Monza podium is always a favourite with the drivers.
  • No expense is spared in lighting up the Singapore track.
  • Fernando Alonso skims the wall in Singapore.
  • In Singapore, Vettel proved that he's just as effective at night as he is during the day.
  • Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa clashed more this year than when they were fighting each other for the championship.
  • Vettel's weekend didn't start as well as it ended.
  • Senna's F1 opportunity was hindered by Renault slipping off the pace as the year went on.
  • Alonso was the first to congratulate Vettel on his second world championship.
  • Vettel's title success didn't overshadow another great win for Jenson Button.
  • There was rain in Korea, but unlike last year, it wasn't during the race.
  • Hamilton was on pole in Korea, although you might not be able to tell from his expression.
  • Despite having the championship wrapped up, Vettel didn't drop the pace – he dominated next time out in Korea.
  • Inaugural Indian GP threw up some surprises, including a tight pitlane.
  • Massa's disappointing year continued with a poor weekend in India.
  • The Indian track was dusty even before Bruno Senna had this moment.
  • Hamilton looking at data between runs.
  • Vettel heads into Abu Dhabi's unique tunnel-style pit exit
  • Abu Dhabi is the only venue where the cars race through the sunset.
  • Vettel finally had some bad luck in Abu Dhabi when he suffered a race-ending puncture just after the start.
  • Jenson Button managed another podium in Abu Dhabi.
  • The Yas Hotel at Abu Dhabi is a favourite spot for photographers.
  • Hamilton's mother was on hand to help him celebrate in Abu Dhabi.
  • Massa celebrated his 100th race with Ferrari at Interlagos.
  • Hamilton came up with his own take on Ayrton Senna's helmet design at the Brazilian GP.
  • Vettel had to nurse his gearbox through most of the race in Brazil, costing him a chance at victory.
  • Lewis Hamilton negotiates the tricky Brazilian pit exit.
  • Button closes the season claiming second place in the championship.
  • Webber finally had something to smile about in Brazil.