Fernando Alonso has declared 2012 ‘the best year of his career’ despite finishing second to Sebastian Vettel in the championship battle.
The Spaniard started seventh in Brazil with a 13 point deficit to Vettel, but eventually finished second with the German sixth, leaving him three points short of his third title.
Alonso still believes this has been his best season ever after mounting a challenge in what has been described as a midfield car on many occasions.
“All sorts of people have said I’ve had the best championship this year – current drivers, former driver, teams and fans – and we’ll be back just as strong in 2013… because it would be hard to be stronger than this year,” he said.
Adding: “This has been by far the best year in my career.”
Speaking of where it was lost, he highlighted his two non-finishes as the reason.
“It wasn’t lost here,” he replied. “It was really lost when Grosjean flew over my head (at the Belgian GP) or in Japan.
“There’s been situations like that when you think of the championship, but that is just sport. Even though I’ve finished second, I have never had such respect and affection from everybody in the paddock here.”
