Fernando Alonso

Alonso made his F1 debut for Minardi as a 19-year-old at the 2001 Australian GP. It was quickly obvious that the Spaniard was too quick to be a mere backmarker and it was no surprise when manager Flavio Briatore promoted him to the role of Renault tester and then handed him a race seat for 2003.

His rise was astonishing, with the next 12 months witnessing Alonso becoming the youngest driver ever on pole, the youngest to set a fastest lap and his win in Hungary in 2003 made him the youngest ever race winner.

The Spaniard had to wait until the 2005 season for his title breakthrough, claiming seven wins and eight other podium finishes on his way to the Drivers' Championship.

Despite announcing in November 2005 that he would be joining the McLaren team for 2007, Alonso stayed with Renault for the 2006 season where, once again he partnered Giancarlo Fisichella. He went on to claim back-to-back tiles.

An ill-fated spell at McLaren followed but the Spaniard was soon on his way back to Renault where he produced results beyond the car's capabilities. He finished the season fifth in the standings - ahead of his McLaren replacement Heikki Kovalainen - and also helped Renault achieve fourth place in the Constructors' race.

In 2009, Alonso remained at Renault in a year marred by controversy but when Ferrari decided not to retain Kimi Raikkonen, the Spaniard was on his way to the Scuderia.

His time with Ferrari began in style with Alonso winning the season-opening Bahrain GP. But from there, it went downhill, culminating in a row in Germany after Felipe Massa was given team orders to move over, handing his team-mate victory.

The fine that move triggered seemed a very small price to pay as his German GP victory sparked a turn around in form for Alonso who went on to win the Italian, Singapore and Korean races, putting him firmly in the hunt for the World title.

Heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi, Alonso was leading the fight before, once again, a mistake from his pit wall cost him as Sebastian Vettel took the title by four points.

That miss inspired many a comment from Alonso and Ferrari about how 2011 would be better, about how they would atone for their mistakes and about how they would seek revenge.

That never happened as the season ended with just one victory - the British GP - for Alonso and his team.

And although 2012 will see more promises from the Italian marque and their Spanish leader, it will take a great deal of work for them to return to the front.