This season is already passing F1 records!

[jackanderton]

For competitiveness, at least. Check this out. After only 8 races 16 drivers have scored one 6th place finish or more, and eight teams have been involved in top 6 finishes this season. There have also been no fewer than 11 different drivers to make it to the podium. This is already matching and in some cases surpassing recent records for whole seasons, in regards to F1's competitiveness:

What stands out most are those 11 different podium finishers already- half the grid have tasted champagne this year after just 8 races! Compare that to the recent past:

2011 - 7 different podium finishers all season (2 of which were Heidfeld and Petrov early on), and only 13 different top 6 finishers all year, 3 of which were one offs.
2010- 8 different podium finishers all season, and 15 top 6 finishers all season, fewer than this season has managed in 8 Grand Prix!
2009- 10 different podium finishers all season, and 17 top 6 finishers- due to some driver lineup changes and Force India's breakthrough
2008- 14 different podium finishers all season (which was a reasonably competitive year), and 17 top 6 finishers. Most people remember this year for its competitiveness.
2007- 8 different podium finishers all season (very low given the year was seen as competitive), and a healthy 18 different top 6 finishers.
2006- 12 podium finishers (hello Kubica and De La Rosa), and 16 different drivers in the top 6- rubbish! Pah! 2012 has already served up that many!
2005- (exc US GP) 12 podium finishers (hello Wurz), and 17 different drivers to come 6th of greater- two of which were stand-ins
2004- 7 different podium finishers accompanying Michael Schumacher, and 16 different drivers in the top 6
2003- 10 different podium finishers (dominated by the three big teams that year), and 18 different drivers to finish in the top 6, two of which were stand ins, two of which were one offs
2002- Only 6 different finishers accompanying Michael Schumacher to the podium, but 18 different drivers to finish in the top 6

So surpassing most of those records already! Now, do people expect this to continue? In terms of Podiums, I've identified Kobayashi, Massa, Senna and perhaps the Force Indias to increase that tally (would be bloody lucky though), while increasing the top 6 finishers involves Toro Rosso doing so- this isn't out of the realms of possibility- Ricciardo has been handy in qualification, and attrition always potentially leaves someone inheriting a 6th place.

I'll be back shortly to look at some 90s and 80s stats where there were fewer GP but much higher attrition.

[eurobrun]

One thing I have noticed about this season is that with the exception of Alonso all the major drivers have had at least one non-points finish. That probably contributes to the high number of top 6 finishers.

Also, I could have sworn that Rosberg got a podium in 2011.

[BlindCaveSalamander]

One thing I have noticed about this season is that with the exception of Alonso all the major drivers have had at least one non-points finish. That probably contributes to the high number of top 6 finishers.

Also, I could have sworn that Rosberg got a podium in 2011.

Nope. You're probably thinking of 2010.

[James1978]

One thing I have noticed about this season is that with the exception of Alonso all the major drivers have had at least one non-points finish. That probably contributes to the high number of top 6 finishers.

Don't really think you can count Hamilton in that as he retired but was classified in Valencia.

[pasta_maldonado]

Alonso appears to be Mr Consistent - if he can keep it up, maybe he could emulate Keke Rosberg and snatch the title with hardly any wins?

[FullMetalJack]

Alonso appears to be Mr Consistent - if he can keep it up, maybe he could emulate Keke Rosberg and snatch the title with hardly any wins?

Except he's won more races than anyone.

Maybe Nico Rosberg can emulate his father

[AdrianSutil]

Alonso appears to be Mr Consistent - if he can keep it up, maybe he could emulate Keke Rosberg and snatch the title with hardly any wins?

Except he's won more races than anyone.

Maybe Nico Rosberg can emulate his father

Well Mark Webber is currently 2nd with only one win. I'd say he's the most consistent one so far.

[Phoenix]

Alonso appears to be Mr Consistent - if he can keep it up, maybe he could emulate Keke Rosberg and snatch the title with hardly any wins?

Except he's won more races than anyone.

Maybe Nico Rosberg can emulate his father

Well Mark Webber is currently 2nd with only one win. I'd say he's the most consistent one so far.

Except that he has that 11th at Spain and is 20 points behind Alonso.

[Sunshine_Baby_[IT]]

So surpassing most of those records already! Now, do people expect this to continue? In terms of Podiums, I've identified Kobayashi, Massa, Senna and perhaps the Force Indias to increase that tally (would be bloody lucky though), while increasing the top 6 finishers involves Toro Rosso doing so- this isn't out of the realms of possibility- Ricciardo has been handy in qualification, and attrition always potentially leaves someone inheriting a 6th place.

Not impossible, I suppose. Hulkenberg was 4th in European GP, it's really not impossible that Force India could have a podium finish during the season. I have more doubts on Toro Rosso reaching top six.