Official F1/Motorsport thread

[On The Edge of Insanity]

There definitely does need to be more of a difference between first and second, but I don't think that scrapping points all together is a good idea at all. Just keep the points as they are, but give the winner 12 points instead of 10.

[Atticus]

Just heard F1's coming back to the BBC next season. What a luxury it'll be to have unbroken coverage of the races again,

[Kieran76]

I think ITV has done a good job, before moving over to ITV the old BBC coverage was limited to the race and qualifying. No pit lane reporters, interviews with team during the race, Brundle's quality grid walks. I know a lot of people don't like James Allen but I quite him as well.

[Bort]

Just heard F1's coming back to the BBC next season. What a luxury it'll be to have unbroken coverage of the races again,

Agreed. I can't believe it's been with ITV for 12 years. Doesn't seem that long.

Hopefully they'll keep Brundle and get rid of the rest. Wonder how much ??? it cost?

[Team Andromeda]

I love F1 and ITV did wonders for the sport , unlike the BBC which couldn't give a sh8t. They only want the right because of the Ham effect.

Gutted with the news , Hope its not like the old BBC days , no build up, next to no live Qualifying, and lets cut away for the 3:30 at Hampton .

People forget how dreadful F1 was on BBC

[VR46]

Didn't know that, no more adverts during races wonder who'll present it, don't suppose it'll get as much air time with the BBC though (both live and repeats), glad to hear our licence payers money has been spent on something worthwhile, bit strange, not often the BBC outbids ITV who surely were keen to keep hold of it - assuming that's how the process was done.

ITV have done a good job yes, shaky to start with but good now.

BBC can't be more fanboyish of Hamilton than ITV surely.

[NW2013]

Disagree about ITV doing a good job. Their pre-race coverage is boring as hell since it has to be a balance between hardcore fans and casual observers. They end up repeating themselves which is really dull for anyone who's seen more than one race. Instead they usually just kiss Hamilton's ass. And an hour is miles too long especially when they show the exact same packages they showed the previous day before qualifying.

Hopefully the beeb will do what they do with football and have ten minutes before to set the scene then get on with the action.

[Shez]

I think it is great news, have never been a fan of the ITV coverage, which has always been about mass market x-factor type of appeal.

Hopefully they wont bring too much dead wood over with them, in particular James Allen and Louise Goodman.

Bring in Ben Edwards!

[Team Andromeda]

BBC can't be more fanboyish of Hamilton than ITV surely.

No, but I bet thats the only reason they've showing any intrest inthe sport . I think ITV did wonders for the sport , long before the glory supporters come on board thanks to Ham.

[MonkeyWrench]

Wasn't this year the first time ITV have broadcast it in widescreen? That always bugged me.

[ChrisF]

Here's hoping the BBC show it on BBC HD. That'd be nice.

[Atticus]

I agree with pretty much all comments championing what ITV have done with F1. They held it in much greater value than the BBC, making it more of an event and less 'let's cross over to live coverage'.

I also hope some of the ITV team remain intact as I think they do a great job.

I'm sure BBC, in a bizarre twist, will have learned from ITV and will surely provide more in depth coverage than they did last time they had it.

For me though, the race itself is where it's at, and it's never been right with adverts breaking the momentum.

[Duddyroar]

Let's hope the BBC use the old Fleetwood Mac 'The chain' title music...it's my current ringtone!

[Alastair]

Is it April the first already? Where the hell did that come from, especially as ITV have just spent a fortune getting the live online stuff up and running.

I'm not sure it's a good thing tbh, sure, no add breaks will be better, but I like the build up, it's often better than the race itself.

Wasn't this year the first time ITV have broadcast it in widescreen? That always bugged me.

Last year was WS and not ITV's fault, they can only show the feed they are given by Bernies company who own/run all the TV side of things.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Excellent news! No more advert breaks, 'my first F1 race' build-up or James Allen.

They just need to get Brundle across and leave the rest of them there, apart from possibility Steve Ryder, just because he is forever linked with F1 on BBC.

And they must use 'The Chain'!