The book, then titled Annual Automobile Review was launched in 1953 by Ami Guichard (1921–1986), a Swiss motoring writer and entrepreneur from Lausanne who published it through his company, Edita S.A.
He brought along the best writers and photographers he knew including Charles Faroux (the founder of the 24 Hours of Le Mans),[1] Giovanni Lurani and Yves Debraine.
In 2005 Piccard retired and Christian Philippsen, a Monégasque motoring industry consultant, took over the running of the yearbook.
[4] Following an introduction by the editor, the book begins with a section about the motor industry with news and new car launches.
[5] The motorsport section follows, starting with a section on Formula One and highly significant single seater series (A1GP, Indianapolis 500, IRL and Champ Car), followed by endurance racing reviews (24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series and FIA GT Championship), then touring car racing and finally rallying (World Rally Championship and Dakar Rally).