End of an era - <I>F1 News</I> is no more.

The 5 Core Group Limited, publishers of F1 News International have revealed that with immediate effect they are to cease publication of F1's longest running F1 magazine.

F1 News has been a part of Formula One since 1992, when the fortnightly magazine was first published, as Formula 1.

F1 News was the brain child of the late Derek Wright and he more than anyone, should be credited with having the foresight to produce the first F1 dedicated magazine in the UK.

It was Wright's vision that encourage others to follow, with Haymarket's F1 Racing hitting the news shelves in 1996 and more recently in 2000, Bernie Ecclestone's own magazine, Formula 1 Magazine.

It is not a coincidence that F1 News has struggled the last year not only has the competition become much more fierce with the battle between Haymarket's F1 Racing and Ecclestone's Formula 1 Magazine, but there has also been growth of the internet, which must all have affected sales.

Add to this a downturn in interest in Britain and the magazines fate was sealed. F1 News was lucky to be published during a real boom period of interest in F1 in Britain during 1992, when Nigel Mansell won the World Championship. The public then rallied to Damon Hill, his battles with Michael Schumacher increasing sales and his championship success in 1996 also helping the magazine, when British interest was at a high.

Since then Michael Schumacher's domination has turned off many British fans and consequently this has had a knock-on effect on F1 News, a magazine published solely in the UK. As many letters testified in F1 News this has, and is a big problem for the sport.

If there is one legacy though F1 News should be remember for it's that the sport should not take itself too seriously. As the strap line on F1 News read from 1994-2000 - it "puts the fun back in Formula One."

F1 News will be missed.

The full statement from F1 News reads:

It is with much regret that after eleven years, F1 News International is to cease publication with immediate effect.

There are several factors that have forced us to take this decision - but most importantly is the downturn in interest in Formula One as a sport.

Being a small independent publisher, the general slow-down in sales and new subscriptions has forced us to make this announcement.

All enquiries must be made within 30 days of the date of this statement IN WRITING ONLY

TO:

F1 News International
Phoenix Brewery
Bartholomew Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 5QA
UK

Regretfully, telephone enquiries cannot be dealt with.