Fleetwood Mac The Chain back in 2009

[Buleste]

Yes that's right F1 is back on the beeb next year which means all those years of humming the guitar riff from The Chain has pulled off.

[Harrison]

Wow! This is excellent news! Finally no more adverts breaking up the coverage!

You have to wonder how much this deal cost the BBC to get this back. ITV released the following statement:

"This was a straightforward commercial decision for ITV and we are pleased that Formula One will continue to be broadcast free-to-air," - said a spokesman for the broadcaster.

But do you think they really decided to drop the sport? Or did they really lose the contract because of some dispute with Bernie?

In contrast Bernie Ecclestone stated:

"I am delighted to conclude this new deal with the BBC. It is an exciting time in Formula One, and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base."

Innovative new ideas? Could this mean we will finally get F1 in hi def? Maybe even some interactive features during the race? I hope so!

I wonder who will be commentating next year? Will we finally be getting rid of that annoying James bloke? I do however hope they keep Martin on as he is the only good part of the ITV coverage.

[Buleste]

Maybe we could have some of the Top Gear boys doing the commentary. "Wow. Bloody hell thats fast."

[AlexJ]

Looks like Bernie has pulled the contract away from ITV, they had two years to run on it. Seems the Beeb will be paying about the same as ITV for the rights, which means for the first time ever, Bernie has done a deal on something other than money!

The lack of HD coverage is actually down to FOM (aka BernieTV). ITV won't have a HD channel until later this year, but even then the feed they get from FOM is still likely to be SD. Interactive is currently available on Premiere in Germany and on Sky Italia, so perhaps the Beeb will be offering that too. Let's hope so.

[TiredOfLife]

Never mind the adverts, the BBC coverage is better just because of The Chain.

[Harrison]

That is true. We will finally be getting back the "official" F1 tune.

[v85rawdeal]

Maybe we could have some of the Top Gear boys doing the commentary. "Wow. Bloody hell thats fast."

Good call, Buleste, the Beeb have indicated they DO intend to get the Top Gear boys involved in F1 (Just as long as Hamster doesn't drive...)

More details here

[AlexJ]

Maybe we could have some of the Top Gear boys doing the commentary. "Wow. Bloody hell thats fast."

Good call, Buleste, the Beeb have indicated they DO intend to get the Top Gear boys involved in F1 (Just as long as Hamster doesn't drive...)

More details here

That would be the worst thing ever. I'm a fan of Top Gear and I'm a fan of F1 but that's like saying I'm a fan of ice-cream and a fan of beer. Great on their own, but not to be mixed. How would they have handled for example Kovaleinen's crash in Spain? SMASH WHAT AN IDIOT WALLOP, oh err, he's still in the car...

They'll want to drag Martin Brundle across, leave James Allen and Mark Blundell and get a proper sports presenter (not Richard 'I don't watch F1' Hammond).

[v85rawdeal]

I too would not be too happy about them doing the commentary, although Hammond would probably be a good addition, considering he has had experience in a F1 car and knows just how bloody hard they are to drive.

But the build up and post race stuff??? Hell, they may even make Kimi smile!