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The Max Mosley scandal has dominated much of our time and energy this month, and that is reflected in the June issue (on sale Friday May 2) of Motor Sport. It was inevitable. When motor racing becomes a regular subject for the front pages of national newspapers – for all the wrong reasons – we feel compelled to take a stand. It’s the least you, our readers, should expect.

We’ve taken a hard line on Mosley because we believe his position as FIA President, the most important job in world motor sport, is untenable. As you’ll read in Matters of Moment and Nigel Roebuck’s excellent column, we’re not taking a moral stance here. This has nothing to do with what Mosley does in his private life. What counts is the damaging effect these revelations are having, and will continue to have, on our sport. That’s all we care about.

But what do you think? Let me know by clicking here. I’d value your opinions and we’ll print a selection of your views in the next issue so that the FIA members know exactly what Motor Sport’s readers think ahead of the General Assembly meeting on June 3.

Happily, the magazine has a lot of pages these days, so there is plenty more to read in the issue aside from this grubby and unpleasant political scandal. You’ll be pleased to see there is the usual wide variety of stories about actual motor racing, past and present, too!

My highlights? Well, as ever Simon Taylor’s ‘Lunch with…’ feature is a treat. The legendary Chris Amon has always been great company, and Simon’s only problem this month was fitting everything in to eight pages. Take some time to enjoy it. You won’t be disappointed.

Nigel found a welcome diversion from the Mosley saga by writing about one of his childhood heroes, the inspirational Archie Scott Brown who died 50 years ago this month. Meanwhile, our US editor Gordon Kirby presents an extract from his new biography of Rick Mears, telling the story of how the great oval racer turned down the chance for F1 stardom.

We also have a fantastic new columnist in Mat Oxley, one of the finest motorcycle writers around. Bike racing is unfamiliar territory for Motor Sport, but we think you’ll enjoy the extra diversity it will bring to our pages. Mat will return from time to time to bring us updates from the MotoGP world, and as he has this month, he’ll draw some fascinating parallels to the four-wheeled sport.

Enjoy the issue, and don’t forget to give us your opinion on the FIA president. We want to know what you think.

Comment on the Mosley scandal

Motor Sport Magazine - The original motor racing magazine

The start of a new Grand Prix season is always a time for optimism. One tends to look forward to what lies ahead, not back on what has passed – which is just as well considering the events of 2007 in Formula 1.

But for all the sad controversy of the spy scandal, there was a lot to excite and inspire on track last season, and there’s the potential for more of the same this time around – hopefully without the off-track distractions.

In this month’s issue we focus on the F1 season with a bumper preview that includes profiles of all the teams and drivers. Meanwhile, Nigel Roebuck talks to Sir Jackie Stewart about what to expect, and as ever JYS is thought provoking and frank in his opinions. Stewart’s a signed-up fan of Lewis Hamilton, but that doesn’t mean he’s certain that the bright young star of last year is going to have everything his own way this time…

Aside from modern F1, there is plenty in this month’s issue to keep you entertained for the next month. Gordon Kirby’s exclusive Roger Penske interview on The Captain’s early career as a promising driver is not to be missed, and neither is Simon Taylor’s latest Lunch with… His guest this time? Alan Jones. Entertainment guaranteed, then.

Putting together Motor Sport every month is a joy, but sometimes there are tough decisions to make. Here’s an example.

When we heard Derek Bell planned to race in the Daytona 24 Hours one last time in what would be his final appearance in international motor sport we thought it was a ripe topic for a feature. So I commissioned Rob Widdows to speak to Derek after the race to talk through how it went and reminisce about his good times and bad times at ‘the other’ great 24-hour enduro.

Rob duly carried out the interview and filed an entertaining story in typically double-quick time. Unfortunately, the article had lost its relevance. Poor Derek had missed out on racing because the Riley-Pontiac he was supposed to drive retired early on. Deeply disappointing for the three-time Daytona winner – and a little bit frustrating for us. Without the ‘hook’ of the story, I couldn’t justify running it in the magazine.

But we’ve pieced it together from the cutting room floor for you to read online instead. It was too good to waste, after all.

I hope you enjoy Rob’s article – and this month’s magazine, too.

Motor Sport Magazine - The original motor racing magazine