In the magazine: the phenomenon of Jenson Button

The Australian Grand Prix is nearly here, to finally end the waiting for the Formula 1 season to begin. Following last week's bumper preview issue, this week we take a look at the phenomenon of Jenson Button at McLaren.

AUTOSPORT grand prix editor Mark Hughes traces the story of 2009 world champion's initial approach to the team - during which he was prepared to drive for a surprisingly low financial return - and how very few people, the McLaren team included, expected him to thrive to such an extent within an operation that seemed to be built around Lewis Hamilton.

The rest is history and, with the 2011 runner-up slot in the bag, Button's confidence has been vindicated as he heads into a new season in which he cannot be discounted for a second title.

Melbourne moments - Meanwhile, our Formula 1 man on the beat Edd Straw takes an off-beat look at some of the happenings in the Australian city over the past 16 runnings of the grand prix as he works out what to expect from this week's race.

Australian GP preview and David Coulthard column - Our full guide to the circuit is accompanied by the ex-Williams/McLaren/Red Bull star and BBC pundit's look ahead to this weekend.

Mark Hughes column - This week, Hughes delves into the problems faced at Ferrari, and whether the Scuderia is barking up the right tree in being influenced by the Red Bull RB8 in its late fixes.

Danica Patrick - Our editor-in-chief Andrew van de Burgt went to the Daytona 500 with a mission to get an interview with the IndyCar superstar-turned-NASCAR starlet. And he did. Read what she says about her dark days racing in England as a young lass, and how they built the foundations for her American career.

World Endurance Championship preview - For those who don't like their racing cars with sticking-out wheels, it's not Aussie GP time, instead it's Sebring 12 Hours fever. This year it's the opening round of the World Endurance Championship. Read Gary Watkins' verdict on it - and follow the tortured path sports-prototype racing has trodden over the past 20 years to finally recover its FIA world title status.

Rally Mexico - They don't do chimichangas very well in David Evans' native Shropshire, so he went to Mexico for a bit of spice. Along the way he saw Sebastien Loeb take yet another win for Citroen - and some large accidents.

WTCC Monza - Like Loeb and Citroen winning, fellow Alsace man Yvan Muller and Chevrolet can't be stopped in the global touring car series. Peter Mills went to Italy to see the WTCC kick off - and watched Muller win in rather unorthodox fashion.

World of Sport - NASCAR, Auto GP and Argentinian Super TC2000.

National focus - Historic racing is thriving at all levels. This week Ben Anderson looks at the budget end of the scale with a new series for 1950s sportscars. And he gets to drive six of them at Donington. Lucky man!

Sports Extra - Meanwhile, at the upper end of the historic scale, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is attracting a remarkable entry, as we reveal.

From the Archive - With the FIA's announcement of a European Formula 3 Championship, it's time for a lookback at 1979, when the previous incarnation of the series launched Alain Prost to global stardom.

Race of my Life - We wondered whether former McLaren designer Steve Nichols would choose one of his old Pre-'83 Formula Ford 2000 races (he was quite a handy pedaller in the day), but instead he fondly recollects a McLaren world-title clincher. But which one?...

Read this week's AUTOSPORT digital magazine.