In the magazine: Inside story on Button's V8 swap at Bathurst

Just a few days before the Australian GP in Victorian capital Melbourne, McLaren F1 star Jenson Button and V8 Supercar top-name Craig Lowndes swapped cars several hundred miles away near to the New South Wales university town of Bathurst.

And it was all thanks to mutual sponsor Vodafone, whose familiar logos adorn Button's McLaren-Mercedes and Lowndes's Holden Commodore in their worlds-apart series.

The swap took place at the legendary Mount Panorama circuit, home since the early 1960s to 'The Great Race' - a 1000km touring car race like no other.

Button got to sample Lowndes's V8 Holden Commodore, with five-time Bathurst winner Lowndes getting behind the wheel of the 2008 world title-winning McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23.

Mark Hughes - Our grand prix editor reckons the Australian GP failed to deliver on expectations, with the introduction of Pirelli tyres and the adjustable rear wing, as well as the return of KERS, making precious little difference to the racing.

Australian GP report - What really happened in the season-opening race in Melbourne - in qualifying and the race - with detailed facts, figures, technical analysis and results. In addition, we rate all 24 drivers' weekend performances.

British Touring Car Championship preview - 20-page guide to Britain's biggest, boldest and brashest championship, which kicks off this weekend at Brands Hatch.

WRC Portugal report - David Evans's comprehensive analysis of the Algarve-based WRC qualifier in which Sebastiens Ogier and Loeb secured a one-two for Citroen.

IndyCar St Petersburg report - Champion Dario Franchitti got his title defence off to the perfect start with victory for Chip Ganassi Racing on the Florida streets.

World GT1 Abu Dhabi report - Fred Makowiecki and Maxime Martin won the qualifying race in the Marc VDS Ford GT, but former F3 winners Clivio Piccione and Stef Dusseldorp took the main event for Hexis Aston Martin.

Le Mans Series preview - Former double champion Pescarolo is back for a third title after a year out. Gary Watkins talks to team boss and Le Mans legend Henri Pescarolo and outlines who's likely to star in the class battles.