F1 2012: Assessing the Challengers to the Top 3

The line between success and failure in Formula One is a fine line indeed, and even the wealthiest teams with the most talented drivers struggle to stay on the right side for more than a few seasons at a time.

Retaining your place as a top team is tough, but coming from mid-grid to join the battle for titles and wins is harder still. On the surface, the Mercedes team appears to be the next in line for a rise to glory, but a dig into recent history suggests the biggest leaps can also come from more unlikely sources.

Brawn GP—former Honda, now Mercedes—rose from near-closure to produce a dominant car and a world championship with Jenson Button in 2009.  Red Bull's climb from the upper-midfield to brilliance...

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