How a British racing magazine became the global authority on motorsport since 1950

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Launched alongside the inaugural Formula One World Championship, Autosport has spent over seven decades chronicling the evolution of racing. From its origins as a weekly print staple to its current monthly format and digital-first strategy, the brand remains the definitive record for everything from elite Grand Prix to club-level rallies.

Established in 1950 in Richmond, London, Autosport emerged in lockstep with the birth of the Formula One World Championship. For most of its history, the publication operated as a weekly magazine, maintaining continuous production even through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a brief pause in print operations between April and July 2020. By 2025, the magazine transitioned to a monthly schedule following a strategic merger with its sister title, GP Racing.

While the magazine was traditionally restricted to four-wheel competition, its editorial scope broadened significantly in 2014 to include MotoGP. Today, the brand balances its legacy print presence with a robust digital ecosystem. Autosport.com, launched in 1997, serves as an international hub for race reporting, video archives, and subscriber-only long-form analysis. This digital expansion is supported by a global network, including localized editions in regions like Asia, Russia, and France, which adapt British content for specific regional audiences.

Beyond publishing, the brand acts as a central pillar of the motorsport industry. It hosts the annual Autosport Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, a prestigious event that celebrates both world-class champions and emerging talent. Additionally, the brand organizes the Autosport International exhibition, held annually at the NEC Birmingham since 1991. Through regular supplements like Autosport Engineering and Performance, the publication also provides technical insights into the industry, specifically highlighting the work of UK-based engineering firms.

The editorial direction is currently led by Kevin Turner, who has served as editor since May 2016. He is supported by a dedicated team of specialists, including Performance and Engineering Editor James Newbold and Group National Editor Stephen Lickorish. Together with a roster of expert correspondents—such as F1 columnist Nigel Roebuck—the team ensures that the brand remains a comprehensive authority, covering the technical, historical, and competitive facets of global motorsport.

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