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CONTACT: Clive Greenhalgh 0034 660329070 clive@guadixcircuit.com www.circuitoguadix.com CONTENTS

February 2 2012 – vol 207 no 5

Up-to-the-minute news and reports from F1, WRC and more. Subscribe for must-read opinion, stats and images

“Aye man, I bloody love AUTOSPORT like. I keep it in the toilet so I can read it over again and again!” AC/DC FRONTMAN AND PETROLHEAD BRIAN JOHNSON, WHO RACED IN THE DAYTONA 24 HOURS, IS A FAN!

FEATURES & REPORTS

COVER ILLUSTRATION: BEN YOUDE INSETS: FERRARO, LOTUS F1 TEAM

5.19 The amount of time, in seconds,

that separated the winning Michael Shank Racing Riley from the second-placed Starworks entry in last weekend’s Daytona 24

Hours enduro

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NEWS

24 F1 2012: rules unravelled Our experts on the key technical and sporting regulation changes 32 Pic of Marussia’s bunch Charles Pic talks about F1 hopes 34 Toyota back to Le Mans The story behind its return

38 Ogier takes a step back WRC ace treads water in S2000 42 Daytona 24 Hours report The full story of Michael Shank Racing’s first Florida victory 51 World of Sport 52 Nasr stars in sportscar bow

Shank Riley came out victorious at Daytona

F3 champ on strong third place 54 Triple 8 back in BTCC Top team returns with MG 58 Lambo Gallardo track test We sample Super Trofeo beast 64 Webb targets US success Brit Oliver Webb on Lights move

REGULARS

5 From the editor 6 Snapshot 17 Mark Hughes column 84 Subscribe for a free gift 88 Final drive Letters and Latest Gear

90 On track/on screen The best action in the next week 93 From the archive Jason Plato wins 2001 BTCC title 94 Race of my life J-P Nicolas, Monte Carlo Rally ’78

,L E V I T T,E B R E Y/L AT

I L L I A M S

:W

P IC S

8 Kimi: F1 decision was “easy” Former world champion admits decision to comeback to F1 after two years away was a no-brainer 10 F1 2012: launch targets Ahead of the first cars’ roll-outs next week, we analyse what each team must focus on this year 12 Drivers paying their way Post-manufacturer F1, more pay-drivers are landing seats

Rubens tested for KV, but will he race?

15 This week in Formula 1 Round-up of the latest stories 18 Barrichello eyes Indy move F1 veteran tests KV Racing car and must now thrash out a deal 20 Thompson back with Lada Brit re-commits to Russian marque for bigger WTCC push 22 Meeke backs Irish IRC event Kris Meeke supports Circuit of Ireland but urges continued effort

SPORTS EXTRA

79 FLibre race for Oulton Allcomers single-seater race planned for Masters opener 80 Winslow for Euro NASCAR Briton targets switch to V8 series after exploratory test at Brands

83 Pre-war great for Revival Goodwood demo for 1930s Mercedes and Auto Union beasts 86 National Focus Jonathan Adam has made a successful switch to GT racing

Adam is a new star of GTs

February 2 2012 autosport.com 3