Fleetwood Mac The Chain back in 2009

[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.

[Buleste]

Dooo, do, de, de, de, de, de, de, de, dooooh!!!!! Air guitars out!!!


Maybe we should petition for the Hamster to drive the saftey car at the British Grand Prix in 2009? Or Captain Slow or Clarkson?

[Harrison]

If they had James in the safely car all the F1 cars would crash into each other behind him trying to slow down.

[v85rawdeal]

I do get the sense that the 'beeb' got it back because of the fact they already have a HD channel in place, with the facilities to 'upscale', if necessary (although I hope that they don't need to and can get full HD transmissions going.

Also, the 'beeb' also had stated that they will also be able to transmit on radio, which may not sound like much, but imagine the fun you could have driving along the motorway listening to the F1 commentary (maybe this deal will be sponsored by GATSO).

I think that ITV may very well have shot themselves in the foot, but probably have something in line to replace it (maybe Indy Car... or Gladiators!!!). The BBC have picked up what certainly looks to be a gold-mine, especially with all the buzz surrounding the new drivers and the recent rules changes to the season.

In the end though, all we can really do is speculate on the decision, hoping that the reasons become clear soon.

My fingers are crossed though, because I always preferred the BBC coverage, primarily because the presenters always seemed so much more knowledgeable than the ITV crew (which seemed to be mostly made up from the cast-offs from other sporting programs, or F1 drivers who's careers had been less than impressive. At least the BBC had the late James Hunt on their time)

Lets just hope that this season is a good one and generates more interest in the sport and the drivers.

[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!