It has not been a happy second stint in F1 for Michael Schumacher. Only one podium finish in three years (at this year's European GP in Valencia) did nothing for his legendary status, and hopefully he'll be remembered for his seven world titles achieved in headier times. Here he gathers his thoughts after crashing out in Singapore. (see next pic) © Gallo Images

Michael Schumacher crashes into the back of Jean-Eric Vergne's Scuderia Toro Rosso in Singapore in September, beginning a barren run of six scoreless races before a 7th place in his final GP in Brazil. © Gallo Image

It was a welcome return to F1 for former champion Kimi Raikkonen, who finished a very creditable third in the points standings in his Lotus. Here he celebrates after winning his only race of the season, the Abu Dhabi GP. © Gallo Images

Not the best of season's for Lewis Hamilton, but there were still four victories in his fourth-place finish in the drivers' standings. This was his final season with McLaren as he moves to Mercedes to replace Michael Schumacher in 2013. Here he celebrates in stetson style with Fernando Alonso after winning the US GP in - where else - Texas. © Gallo Images

Inches away from death.... Romain Grosjean in his Lotus is shunted over the Ferrari of Alonso on the first corner of the Belgium Grand Prix in September, narrowly missing the Spaniard's head. © Gallo Images

..and the choas continued. After Grosjean left the picture, Alonso crashed into Hamilton, and both former world champions were out of the Spa Francorchamps race at the first corner. © Gallo Images

It was a good season though for the two-time champion Alonso, pushing Sebastian Vettel all the way to the finish after leading for a good part of the season. Here he celebrates one of his three race wins of the season after victory in Malaysia. © Gallo Images

But in the end it was more clinical German driving that won through as Sebastian Vettel claimed his third title in a row. After seven different winners in the first seven races, it was anyone's title, but Vettel's four wins in a row from the 7th to the 4th last races were enough to take him past Alonso and become, at 25, the youngest three-time champion. Here he celebrates his win in Korea in October. © Gallo Images

Team Red Bull - the constructor's champions - celebrate with Vettel after he secured the drivers' title with a sixth place in Brazil. A crash on the opening lap almost ruined his chances, but he recovered to finish four places below Alonso in the last race and claim the title by just three points. Between himself and Michael Schumacher, it's been a German winner in 8 of the last 13 seasons. © Gallo Images

A tale of two riders: for Jorge Lorenzo it was smiles all round as he clinched his second MotoGP title on his Yamaha, but after two fruitless seasons at Ducati, seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy is set to return to Yamaha in 2013. Here the two celebrate on the San Marino podium after the Spaniard's victory and the Italian's runner-up position. © Gallo Images

Italy's Max Biaggi was pushed all the way in the Superbikes Championship by Tom Sykes on his Kawasaki, but in the end a sixth-place finish in the very last race of the season gave the Aprilia rider the title by half a point over the Brit. A month later the great Italian announced his retirement from the sport. © Gallo Images

Racing's greatest driver? The incomparable Frenchman Sebastien Loeb won nine of the 13 rallies in 2012 to clinch his ninth consecutive World Rally title. With nothing left to prove, he will race a limited schedule in 2013 before moving into the World Touring Car Championship in 2014. © Gallo Images

Action shot from the Dakar Rally that took place in Argentina, Chile and Peru in January. It was double delight for the French as Stephane Peterhansel won an unprecedented 10th title by winning the cars section in his Mini, and Cyril Despres wrapped up a tightly fought motorbikes category on his KTM. © Gallo Images

It was another brave performance by SA's Giniel de Villiers in car section of the Dakar Rally, finishing in third place in his Toyota. The 2009 winner finished 1hr13 behind the victorious Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel. © Gallo Images

And we'll leave on a happy note with the high point of Michael Schumacher's 2012 season - his third-place finish at the European GP in Valencia. Thanks for the memories Schumie, though we'll hang on to the pre-2005 ones a little tighter than the last three years... © Gallo Images