JEP

A feast of motorsport even if F1 again proved predictable

A dramatic few moments that removed leading contenders, a rain shower that changed the course of the event, and a masterclass from one of the all-time greats. Last weekend’s motorsport featured all of the above – and that’s before we get on to Formula 1’s return to China.

As Tom Howard describes on page 40, a three-way contest for Croatia Rally honours was settled in the space of just a few minutes, World Rally legend Sebastien Ogier emerging victorious.

Ferrari qualified 1-2-3 for the World Endurance Championship encounter at Imola (above) but made the wrong calls amid changeable conditions. Gary Watkins was there to see Toyota play all its cards correctly to win (p30), while James Newbold reports on how the same showers impacted the hard-fought LMGT3 battle (p36).

Scott Dixon has proved his class many times over the past two decades, but even his main IndyCar rivals were impressed with how he maintained such strong pace at Long Beach while saving fuel (p46).

There should be more entertainment this weekend, with the British Touring Car Championship kicking off Donington Park. Marcus Simmons talks to Colin Turkington about his renewed efforts to defeat fellow four-time champion Ash Sutton on p54, and picks out the other stories to look out for this season (p58), while Stephen Lickorish is your guide to the supporting cast (p62).

Oh yes, and the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix. Well, the winner was far more predictable than any of the above, but kudos to Lando Norris and McLaren for splitting the Red Bulls (p14)…

Kevin Turner Chief Editor

kevin.turner@autosport.com

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Cover images Lars Baron/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool; Andy Hone/Motorsport Images

PIT & PADDOCK 4 Red Bull: Sainz has big Audi offer 6 Formula 1 points to be tweaked 8 FIA denies conflict with WRC teams 11 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 12 Guest column: Tom Chilton 13 Feedback: your letters

RACE CENTRE 14 Chinese GP report and analysis 30 WEC: Toyota steals Ferrari’s race 40 Ogier takes late Croatia victory 46 Dixon’s Long Beach IndyCar miracle 50 World of Sport: IMSA; TCR World Tour;

Australian Supercars; NASCAR Cup

BTCC SEASON PREVIEW 54 Turkington’s renewed quest for fifth title 58 Stories to watch this season 62 The best of the TOCA supports

CLUB AUTOSPORT 73 Obituary: Alan Minshaw 74 Mini Challenge to run guest car 76 Hesketh reunion for special anniversary 78 Antipodean F5000s could race in UK 79 National reports: Knockhill;

Donington Park; Silverstone; Snetterton

FINISHING STRAIGHT 86 What’s on this week 88 From the archive: 1972 Monza 1000Km 90 My favourite car: Gordon Shedden

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25 APRIL 2024 AUTOSPORT.COM 3