It is the beginning of September and no one can reasonably predict who will win the world drivers’ title in Formula One.

But perhaps it is not so surprising. In the longest season ever, with 20 races, and one of the most closely fought ever — with seven winners, each having won one of the first seven races — there is nothing really to compare to the 2012 season.

Now, after the longest summer break in recent years, with five weeks off between races, the series restarts with a back-to-back farewell to Europe for the season at two of its most historic venues: the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next weekend.

“The first half of the season began with the most close and competitive start to a year ever seen in Formula One’s history,” said Paul Hembery, the director of the Pirelli tire company, which supplies the teams. “So I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of 2012 pans out and which teams have made which steps forward over the summer break. Currently the grid is so closely matched — particularly in the midfield — that it’s impossible to predict.”