For much of 2010 Mark Webber looked destined for the world title, as he got the better of his highly-rated Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel and combined four brilliant grand prix wins with a string of podiums to edge into the points lead.
It all fell apart in the closing stages, though, amid a little intra-team acrimony, a Korean GP crash and a shoulder injury.
With Vettel likely to soon smooth his rough edges, some believe that Webber has now missed his best ever chance of a championship.
But the gritty Aussie has spent his career overcoming obstacles and disproving doubters, so will start 2011 determined to do the same again.
F1 career log
Webber made a remarkable F1 debut, benefiting from some first corner mayhem to score an emotional fifth place on his and Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart’s home turf in Australia in 2002.
His continued heroics for Minardi earned Webber a move to the troubled but better-funded Jaguar team for 2003.
Ford’s factory team was facing an uncertain future when Webber arrived but his determination and talent gave the beleaguered staff a reason to keep pushing.
Having proved his skill in adversity at Minardi and Jaguar, Webber was ready to become a regular winner when he then joined Williams.
It was billed as a perfect partnership between a hard-charging, no-nonsense Aussie and a squad that had always prized such traits.
However, the 2005 Williams team was a far cry from the dominant operation of its glory days and the relationship ended after two years of frustration.
Webber had ignored the advice of his manager Flavio Briatore and turned down the chance of a Renault drive to join Williams – and then had to watch from the midfield as Renault swept to a pair of titles.
Webber sought a brighter future with Red Bull, although his first two seasons with the still-growing squad delivered few highlights.
When Red Bull came good in 2009, Webber wasn’t in ideal shape to take advantage as he was still recovered from injuries sustained in a winter cycling accident.
But he did become a grand prix winner at last with brilliant triumphs in Germany and Japan, and proved more than a match for his hotly-tipped team-mate Vettel.
By 2010, Red Bull had indisputably the fastest car in the field, and despite a slightly faltering start, Webber launched himself into title favourite status with some dominant early-summer performances.
Then things started to slip away, with too many narrow defeats to Vettel and a costly crash in Korea.
There was tension in the team too: the duo collided in Turkey, Webber was incensed when he had to hand the latest front wing design to Vettel at Silverstone (where the irritated Aussie answered with victory), and by the title decider Webber was openly suggesting that Red Bull wanted him to lose to his team-mate – while boss Christian Horner wasn’t best pleased that Webber had neglected to mention he’d injured his shoulder in another cycling crash before Suzuka.
The team insists the air was cleared over the winter, and Webber will start 2011 ready to take the fight to Vettel once again.
Formative years
Webber had to overcome plenty of adversity to reach F1.
With only a minimal budget behind him, he won the prestigious Formula Ford Festival in 1996 then impressed in British Formula 3.
Mercedes spotted his potential and signed Webber for its sportscar programme.
This proved to be a chequered period for the Australian – as Webber and team favourite Bernd Schneider lost the 1998 FIA GT title at the last gasp.
The following year an aerodynamic problem sent Webber into two terrifying aerial accidents during practice for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
He then returned to single-seaters and bounced back via two successful seasons in Formula 3000 and F1 testing duties for Arrows and Benetton, before getting his F1 break with his former F3000 team boss Stoddart.
Strengths: Steely determination, great qualifying speed, and a knack for coming out fighting in the face of adversity.
Weaknesses: Dogged by bad luck, can be over-aggressive when defending, and arguably let the title slip away last year.
Most likely to: Respond to some form of injustice by blitzing the field in the next race.
Career highlight: Getting the upper hand on Vettel in early-summer 2010 with three excellent wins.
Lowest ebb: Tumbling from first to third in the standings with the 2010 within sight.
Goals for 2011: Make up for 2010 by winning the title.