In the magazine: F1 season preview 2012

This week's AUTOSPORT magazine is given over, almost entirely, to Formula 1. As is traditional at this time of year, it's season-preview time, with the first grand prix of the year a little over a week away.

And, if testing in Spain is anything to go by, it's going to be a cracking Australian GP in Melbourne's Albert Park. In fact, it's shaping up to be an epic, 20-race marathon between now and November. Here's what you'll find in this 140-page bumper issue:

World champions in the spotlight - There will be a record number of world champions on the grid in 2012. Mark Hughes analyses the strengths and weaknesses of all six: Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton under pressure - The McLaren star had a tough time in 2011, with distractions in all directions. Edd Straw reveals what he needs to do in 2012 to get his career momentum back on track.

How hard is a hat-trick? - Sebastian Vettel is bidding to become only the third driver since 1950 to lift a third straight drivers' title. Edd Straw picks out a few pitfalls the German youngster may encounter on the way to emulating Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.

Regulation round-up - Edd Straw explains the key changes to technical and sporting regulations that come into force this year, starring ugly noses, wheel-gun gas and safety-car etiquette, among others...

Evolution of the species - The 2012 season is the fourth of the current rules cycle. Edd Straw looks down from on high over Ferrari's most recent four racers and explains how (little) they've changed.

Understanding Red Bull's understudies - Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are charged with carrying Red Bull B-team Toro Rosso's hopes this year. Ben Anderson profiles the two youngsters as they bid to land a Red Bull seat in the not-too-distant future.

For your viewing pleasure - In the BBC corner: Jake Humphrey, Ben Edwards, David Coulthard and friends. In the Sky corner: David Croft, Martin Brundle, Damon Hill and friends. Simon Strang explains the whats, whens and whys of Team Beeb versus Team Murdoch.

Team-by-team guide - Full state-of-the-nation, technical appraisal and driver profiles for all 12 teams on the 2012 grid.

A circuitous route - Track maps, corner info, race-start times, stats and facts for all 20 2012 grand prix venues.

Austin Ambassador - Adam Cooper talks to the man charged with getting The Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas up to speed ahead of its first race on November 18.

Mark Hughes column - Our grand prix editor explains how, despite stringent rule-writing to outlaw any form of exhaust blowing that aids downforce, teams' boffins will doubtless have found something clever.

World of Sport - Reports from all the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide action in Phoenix and the V8 Supercar tin-top shenanigans in Adelaide.

Sports Extra -British circuits may benefit from a recent legal decision over noise-pollution damages in motocross. Our national news team explains the whole story and the knock-on effect for four-wheeled motorsport.

From the archive - Looking back on Sir Frank Williams's early forays in racing - and his first mention in AUTOSPORT, back in 1961.

Race of my life - American Davy Jones chooses his win for Porsche in the 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours over the time, less than a month earlier, that he came within a few feet of winning the Indianapolis 500.

Read this week's AUTOSPORT digital magazine.