Formula One statistics from the 2012 season revealed there were 1,139 overtaking manoeuvres and 957 pitstops during the 20 Grands Prix this season, according to statistics revealed this week by Italian tyre manufacturers Pirelli.

The fewest number of overtakes took place on the narrow winding track at the Monaco Grand Prix where only 12 cars were able to gain position while the most action-packed race in terms of overtaking was the season-ending Brazilian race where 147 changes of position took place amid wet and unpredictable conditions.

Sebastian Vettel won his third straight Formula One crown on the final day of the season in a Red Bull to deny Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.

The record number of overtakes during a dry race was 90 at the Chinese GP where Nico Rosberg won in a Mercedes.

There were 957 pitstops throughout the campaign with the majority dedicated to tyre changes while the average number per race was 47.9 or 1.9 per driver.

The rain-afflicted Malaysian GP stood out with 76 pitstops or three per driver and the fastest changeover was by Jenson Button who got out of the pit lane in a quick-fire 2.31 seconds at the German Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Rolex announced yesterday they will be Formula One’s official timekeeper and timepiece from next season after agreeing a global partnership.

As part of the deal, the Rolex logo will be positioned around GP circuits and at certain corners during races with the Swiss company saying its presence would develop over coming years.

South Korean electronics group LG, who signed a five-year deal in 2008 to be the official data processor, have had their branding on timekeeping systems in recent seasons.