Complete calendar with 19 races
The 2011 Formula 1 season witnessed one of the most dominant campaigns in the sport's history, as Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing utterly overwhelmed the competition to secure their second consecutive championship double. Vettel's superiority was so complete that he clinched the Drivers' Championship with four races remaining, becoming the youngest double World Champion at 24 years old and establishing himself as the sport's preeminent force.
Vettel's statistical achievements throughout 2011 were staggering and bordered on the unprecedented. He won 11 of the 19 races, claimed a record-breaking 15 pole positions that still stands today, and secured 17 podium finishes. His points tally approached 400, setting a new benchmark for dominance in a single season. The German driver led the championship from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and never relinquished control, building an insurmountable advantage through consistent excellence and the Red Bull RB7's overwhelming pace advantage.
The Red Bull RB7, Adrian Newey's masterpiece, was widely regarded as one of the most dominant Formula 1 cars ever constructed. The car claimed pole position at all but one race during the season and won 12 of the 19 grands prix, demonstrating a level of superiority rarely witnessed in modern F1. The RB7's exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, particularly its exhaust-blown diffuser system, gave Red Bull a decisive advantage that rivals struggled to match throughout the campaign. Mark Webber contributed to the team's dominance with one victory and multiple podiums, though he was clearly outperformed by his teammate.
Jenson Button finished as runner-up in the championship for McLaren, 122 points behind Vettel, claiming three victories including a brilliant charge through the field in the Canadian Grand Prix - widely considered one of the greatest drives in F1 history. Starting from a lowly grid position in changeable conditions, Button fought back from multiple setbacks, including a drive-through penalty, to snatch victory on the final lap in a race that lasted over four hours. His other wins came in Hungary and Japan, showcasing his racecraft in varying conditions.
Fernando Alonso finished third in the championship despite Ferrari's F150 Italia being perhaps only the fourth-fastest car on the grid. The Spaniard's single victory at Silverstone was a testament to his driving brilliance, extracting maximum performance from inferior machinery. Lewis Hamilton also secured three wins for McLaren, including victories in China, Germany, and Abu Dhabi, but inconsistency and several incidents prevented him from mounting a sustained challenge. The McLaren MP4-26 showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked the overall pace to challenge Red Bull consistently.
The season was not without its controversies and talking points. The introduction of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) and Pirelli tires designed to degrade more quickly fundamentally changed racing dynamics, making overtaking significantly easier and forcing teams to adapt their strategies. KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) also returned after being absent in 2010, adding another variable to race strategy. Off-track, the championship saw the tragic loss of IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon in October, casting a shadow over the final races of the season.
Red Bull Racing's Constructors' Championship victory was equally emphatic, as they finished 153 points clear of McLaren to secure back-to-back titles. Mercedes showed improvement in their second season following their return as a constructor, with Michael Schumacher claiming his sole podium of the campaign in Canada, though he remained winless in his comeback. The season's pattern of Red Bull dominance, while perhaps lacking in unpredictability compared to 2010, showcased Vettel at the peak of his powers and established the blueprint for their continued success in subsequent years. The margin of victory and statistical records set during 2011 would define it as one of F1's most one-sided championship battles.