View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
February 20, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Ecclestone to bring glamour back to F1

By Press Gazette

Grand Prix boss Bernie Ecclestone has given his Formula 1 magazine an injection of glamour in a bid to secure market leadership this year.

The investment coincides with a complete overhaul under new editor Matt Franey.

Franey has introduced fashion photographer Mark Okoh to shoot the magazine’s front cover and plans to expand F1’s coverage of fashion, travel, music and celebrities, including a spread on the type of shoes to be seen wearing in the pit lane.

The title has been given extra pages, new type-faces and the cover features a new banner “The Official Formula 1 Magazine”.

“My brief from Ecclestone is to reflect the sport. There will be more lifestyle stuff and it will be far more glamorous,” he told Press Gazette.

“One of the great advantages of being the official magazine is that I have the inside line on who is going to all the races, whether it’s Kylie, Bill Clinton or Robert de Niro, I should know in advance and that gives me a good steer.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“Contrary to popular rumour, there is not a bottomless pit of money. The magazine has a clear intention and that is to be the market leader and in doing so, make it a commercially viable venture.”

The title will post its first ABC in August.

Franey said the magazine would take a less controversial stance than it did under its previous editor Tom Rubython.

“It is very easy to think all the gossip and innuendo in the paddock is of interest to the millions who tune in and watch the race if you’re involved in Formula One, but I am not convinced people beyond the very close confines of the Formula One paddock are particularly interested.

“While Tom may have defended his right to unearth controversial stories, there are thousands of good stories out there that don’t involve controversy. We’ll report strong news stories, but there will be a distinct difference between Tom Rubython’s F1 and mine.”

Franey said he planned to expand the team once the relaunch was under way and he was hoping to sign some top names from Formula One at the forthcoming Grand Prix in Australia.

By Ruth Addicott

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network