Official F1/Motorsport thread

[PeteJ]

The BBC coverage was surprisingly good, not a disaster after all and definately not worth buying Sky just for F1. Ben Edwards and DC did a great job I thought, though some of the post race stuff was very cut down which was a shame (I used to like hearing the drivers talking just before the podium, but all of that was cut out).

Great race too, that helped

[MartyG]

The BBC stuff was 8 hours late and they put the race results on their front home page.

That aside, the Sky coverage was miles above the BBC offering - it was BBC+++

The red button options blew anything the BBC have ever offered out of the water with a massive nuclear bomb.

Fecking Sky :/ and Fecking BBC for handing the F1 to them.

[Dazzyman]

I didn't get up till 1.45pm so didn't bother me

[Ginger Tosser]

Fecking BBC for handing the F1 to them.

Problem is they are getting shafted over the next few years because of the license freeze. I wish something else would have gone instead of F1, however happy so far with the BBC coverage. I don't doubt that the Sky coverage was superb, but I quit them a few years ago and I hope never to return.

[Dazzyman]

I subbed to the pay per view F1 on Sky a few years ago for a season and although it had everything it just didn't have the BBC and ITV charm

[Corranga]

And it was totally the right decision to not let the HRT race, it was 3 seconds down in qualifying from the Marussia and that's just dangerous.

Seriously? I take it you never watched F1 when the 107% rule didn't exist?
The only thing dangerous about the HRT was the drivers failing to get out of everyones way, and you could argue (as Brundle does) that passing back markers should be more about skill and less about penalties and blue flags.

I watched on Sky via skygo (online stream) so no red button. The race coverage was as expected, official FIA pictures with the excellent Brundle/Crofty combo. Kravitz in the pits excellent as always, though the woman is not a patch on the BBCs Leigh Mackenzie, clearly not knowing much about F1.
Outside of the FIA pictures, some of it was laughable.

Anthony Davidson was as great as he always has been, but the 'SkyPad' is crap, and the skanky woman beside him is pointless.
The zoom, whish, bang moments like the driver moving his head / looking toward the camera crap is cheesy, as is the overall production.

The BBC was infinity superior in terms of production, class, and overall package imo.

I heard the sky red button stuff was pretty low resolution wise and difficult / impossible to see on some TVs due to being blurry..

Looking forward to the first BBC race for comparisons sake

Chris

[Charlie]

I thought the Beeb's coverage was excellent as expected, but watching sports on TV after the event (ie not live) is never as exciting or engrossing an experience. I guess I'll just have to get used to it as no way am I paying Sky ?360 so I can watch the other ten races live - that's ?36 a race and much as I love F1 I don't love it that much.

[CMcK]

I recorded the race on Sky and the Beeb and watched a portion of it on each channel. Sticking with the Beeb for the rest of the season I think. The Beeb wins as it is in HD, all the presenters know their stuff and I think Ben Edwards is a better commentator than David Croft.
Getting Gary Anderson for analysis on the Beeb was a very good move as well.

I wonder if Sky would have been better off launching a dedicated Motorsport channel rather than just devoting seven days a week to F1. So many repeats just seems like a wasted opportunity to me.

[Charlie]

Ben Edwards was good, no complaints there, but I do miss Martin Brundle. Or what I mean to say is I miss the Brundle/Coulthard pairing. Because they're both ex-F1 drivers I thought they gelled brilliantly and their history meant they frequently shed some fascinating insights into the sport while bouncing questions off eachother commentating together.

[Dazzyman]

James Hunt was best, turning up drunk and rambling . Those we're the days!

[NW2013]

The potential makings of an exciting season where any one of four cars, maybe five, could win a race and it's no longer on free to air TV!!!

Good work from Kimi, shame about the gearbox change penalty. Let's hope I can get to watching the highlights without having the result spoiled like last week (thanks Autocar website).

[Sam The Man]

Nice to see Schumacher make the top 3 qualifying again after so long. Always been a fan so will be cheering him on tomorrow but would be happy if either Button or Hamilton wins aswel.

[NecronomiconUK]

I think the sky coverage is acceptable, as opposed to exemplary like 2009-2011 BBC. It has it's fair share of issues, Natalie Pinkham being the biggest. Lee McKenzie is awesome on the BBC and Pinkham ever since she first started on 5Live just comes across as a complete thickie in comparison.

I signed up for Sky for the first time for the F1 (dropped the TV part of my still active Virgin broadband) and I'm still happy about the decision. Although I have been watching sessions time delayed on Sky+ I'm happy to have access to the full shebang without the somewhat abrupt highlights package on the BBC. Canada is often my favourite race of the the year and the thought of missing out on that live just, no.

This season really is shaping up great. Although I'm a McLaren fan it's not like they are running away with anything, the teams are sooo close this year and instead of the battle being split into top/middle/bottom field battles the traditionally midfield teams seem to have genuine strength. I'm particularly hoping for a strong season from Williams.

[Dazzyman]

Chuffed for Schummy and Button. Kimi also did great, shame bout the penalty as he really is driving that car to its limit. Let's see if he gets mad about the blue flags again hehe

[NW2013]

Very topsy turvy race due to the rain and an unexpected result for both 1st and 2nd places, to say the least! Very enjoyable though, roll on China.