Next weekend sees the start of the Formula 1 season. So for this week’s television presentation gem of the week, I had to feature The Chain. This week there is a campaign to get The Chain to number 1 in the charts for the start of the Formula 1 season. Here is the title sequence […]
Jonathan Legard’s performance in perspective
As I expected, my previous post has generated a bit of controversy in the comments. So I have decided to break from the series of posts looking at the BBC’s F1 coverage this season, and the final part will be published tomorrow. Instead, I am going to do something which will hopefully outline why I […]
BBC F1 coverage: Television commentary
Commentary The BBC’s lead commentator Jonathan Legard has come in for a lot of stick on the internet. In my view, most of it is wholly unwarranted. Indeed, I am quite confused at the negative reaction he has been getting. I used to listen to him from time to time when he was on Radio […]
BBC announces plans for 2009 F1 coverage
Today the BBC has announced further details of its F1 coverage, which will start in just a month’s time. We already knew who would be presenting the BBC’s F1 coverage, but today we have found out more about just what the BBC will be offering the viewers this season. Television coverage The BBC have released […]
Memories of ITV-F1
ITV showed that when it mattered, they could cover an unfolding event properly. Even though it was a low point for Formula 1, the 2005 United States Grand Prix was a high point for ITV’s coverage. When it became clear that there was a chance that the race would go ahead without the Michelin runners, […]
Twelve years of ITV-F1
As well as David Coulthard’s career, the Brazilian Grand Prix brought down the curtain on another fixture of Formula 1 life. ITV broadcast their last grand prix before Formula 1 moves back to the BBC for 2009 onwards. ITV’s first race was way back in 1997, the Australian Grand Prix. “Do not adjust your sets,” […]
Trouble at the BBC?
Despite last month’s reports that appeared to suggest that the BBC’s commentary line-up for next season was set in stone, more recent rumours suggest that all is far from well in the BBC’s plans for next season. It appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle would team up in the […]
From the vaults: Old F1 magazines
Okay, so it’s not from the vaults, it’s from my attic. I just happened to mention in passing to “me” from Sidepodcast on Identica the short-lived F1 magazine GPX. He asked me to upload it so that he could see what it was like, so I took photos of the two issues of GPX I […]
Does Formula 1 really have an overtaking problem?
The 2009 season will bring a completely new look to Formula 1, with one of the most drastic and far-reaching overhauls of the rulebook in the sport’s history. The only comparable change I can think of in my lifetime is the rules brought in for 1998 (grooved tyres and narrower cars), but even that pales […]
What to expect from the BBC’s F1 coverage
Having considered the past of ITV’s Formula 1 coverage, it is time to turn our attention to the future of the BBC’s F1 coverage. The first thing to point out is that, of course, just about everything is pure speculation for the time being. We have been given a few hints of what to expect […]