Join in the discussion on our Grand Prix reports
Full auction results and diary
Was Hamilton’s Spa penalty just? Have your say here
Test your knowledge with the online version of our You Were There feature?
Thirty years ago this month the Grand Prix world was sent reeling by the death of Ronnie Peterson. Alan Henry was closer to him than most, so who better to look back on the life of a man universally loved by his peers and fans (and there’s not many people in this sport you can say that about)?
Combined with Nigel Roebuck’s memories of that final, poignant weekend at Monza, our October issue will take you back to the freewheeling 1970s, when the F1 world was so much simpler than it is now.
But today’s Grand Prix world continues to fascinate us at Motor Sport. This month we focus on Felipe Massa and his challenge to become World Champion. Personally, I’ve never rated Massa as serious champion material. Yes, he has come a long way from his wild days at Sauber, but he has never been consistent enough to string together title-winning performances.
But this year, I’ve had to think again. There appears to be a steel and resolve in Massa that is so much more convincing. Perhaps it has been highlighted by Kimi Räikkönen’s relative underperformance in the other Ferrari. Whatever, if he can see off Lewis Hamilton and McLaren, not to mention his team-mate, in the coming weeks, Massa will have answered all of his critics – including me – once and for all. It’s going to be a thriller to the finish in São Paulo.
Elsewhere in this issue, Simon Taylor has lunch with Richard Attwood, a self-deprecating true English gent who deserves more credit for his racing achievements. Mat Oxley profiles Ducati, the Ferrari of the bike world. And ahead of the exciting Singapore F1 night race, we head back to the 1960s to discover the island’s incredible, and perhaps surprising, motor racing heritage.
Also, we look ahead to this month’s Goodwood Revival, the highlight of the historic racing season. We’ll be there – if you are, make sure to come by our stand and say hello.
