PREVIEW: Parity never greater as F1 lands in Monaco

FORMULA 1 - The 2012 Formula One season is already historic, since the first five races have been won by five different drivers. This has equalled a single season record and very capable drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber are still waiting for their first race win of the season. It seems that parity has never been greater in F1.

The record setting seasons

1967: Pedro Rodríguez (Cooper), Denny Hulme (Brabham), Jim Clark (Lotus), Dan Gurney (Eagle), Jack Brabham (Brabham).

1975: Emerson Fittipaldi (McLaren), Carlos Pace (Brabham), Jody Scheckter (Tyrell), Jochen Mass (McLaren), Niki Lauda (Ferrari).

1983: Nelson Piquet (Brabham), John Watson (McLaren), Alain Prost (Renault), Patrick Tambay (Ferrari), Keke Rosberg (Williams).

2012: Jenson Button (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Pastor Maldonado (Williams).

Record can still be broken

If Lewis Hamilton or Mark Webber (for instance) win the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, an all-time F1 parity record will be broken. The 1983 and 2012 are unique in more than one way. The first five races were not only won by five different drivers, but also by five different constructors.

Exhibition seasons by Mansell and Schumacher are behind us

This season is a far cry from the ones with only one winner in the first five races. That happened twice – in 1992 (Nigel Mansell) and 2004 (Michael Schumacher). Mansell lifted nine trophies and Schumacher 13 (a single season record), easily coasting to the world title in said seasons.

Analysis by Slavko Jeric (find him on @lavkeri). Slavko is a regular contributor to this website. We hope you enjoy his work, because we certainly do.