He began reporting on Formula One in 1988, working alongside Nigel Roebuck and remained as Grand Prix Editor of Autosport until 1993.

He has the distinction of attending all the F1 races since 1988, is accredited as an FIA Formula One Permanent Passholder, and previously sat on the board of Caterham Cars as a non-executive director.

In 2006 he published The Grand Prix Saboteurs, detailing the story of racing drivers who went on to establish a sabotage network in France during World War II.

On 26th September 2024, Saward published an edition of his regular Green Notebook feature on his online blog in which he stated there was a paddock rumour circulating that Sergio Pérez would retire after the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.

Saward's decision to publish the rumour drew the ire of Pérez's supporters online (particularly on the X platform) some of which were purely abusive or contained what he perceived to be death threats.