BBC Formula 1

2 months ago

Update on Monday the 24th November 2008

Thanks to Formula1.com, I can now confirm who will be working for BBC's coverage of Formula1 in 2009.

I will write a full post on this within the week.

Update on Tuesday the 18th November 2008

Thanks to my sources at BlogF1, it has now been confirmed that Martin Brundle will be involved with Formula 1 at the BBC.

I’m delighted to be able to tell you all that I’ll be joining the BBC next year. I’ve been commentating on F1 for the past dozen years and I briefly considered calling it a day, but in the end I decided to take up the BBC’s offer and I am now very excited about working for them next year.

Original Post

Earlier this year it was announced that the BBC would once again hold the rights to broadcast F1 events after an 11 year gap in a new 5 year deal with Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Administration. The current rights holder, ITV, were due to continue airing the sport for another year; however, they have apparently terminated their contract early in order to spend money securing the rights to the Champions League football. So last weekend was the last race aired by ITV and the BBC will air their first race in March 2009.

Photograph of the BBC

The Rumours

News from camp BBC has been sparse and there has been a lot of rumours and speculations as to what format the broadcast will take place, who will be presenting the show and what the theme tune will be. Lets take a closer look at each of these.

Perhaps the biggest news recently is the Richard Hammond, co-presenter of Top Gear, is reportedly the favourite to be the main host ahead of the BBC's current sports presenter, Gary Lineker.

The commentator line is currently rumoured to be a team up of two ex-formula drivers; Martin Brundle and David Coulthard. Brundle currently commentates for F1 on ITV alongside James Allen and Coulthard will be retiring from F1 racing this year, so he could potentially fill Allen's place. Coulthard's last race was last weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Many fans have asked the BBC to keep their F1 theme tune, Fleetwood Mac - The Chain, and I too would welcome a return of the iconic music; however, the BBC has yet to confirm if they will be keeping it. There's even an online Petition to urge the BBC to keep the theme tune. Although I hope the BBC keep it a secret until the first race is aired.

Since the BBC is a publicly funded corporation, there will be no adverts during the formula one coverage, this is welcome news. Bernie has also hinted that the BBC could air the races in HD format which is most certainly possible since from 2009, HD Freeview channels will be available.

The Good and The Bad

With a change in the broadcasters, comes changes in the format and characteristics of the shows. These changes could be good or bad and any change has the potential of upset millions of fans across the UK.

The Good

Adverts is the first thing that comes to mind, because having to miss parts of the race on ITV was really annoying and will not be missed. So an advert-less show is a big welcome.

If the BBC keep their original theme tune, this too will be loved and welcomed back by the fan. That's not to say Moby's "Life me up" isn't good, but there's something about "The Chain" which is historically part of Formula 1.

'Fleetwood Mac - Rumours' Album Cover

The possibility of High Definition broadcasts of the races either via Sky+ HD or Freeview HD is defiantly "about time". The technology and money are available to do this and I hope the BBC take this forward. I don't current have a HD TV; however, I will be very tempted to buy one if they start broadcasting in HD.

The Bad

Reading between the lines in many of the sources previously mentioned, I get the impression that the pre-race build up shows will be done in a studio in the same way most BBC sport programmes are done and this really upsets me. I feel it will kind of detach itself from the atmosphere at the circuit which gives the watcher a feeling of what it's like to be at the circuit. I hope they don't do this.

Example of a BBC Sports Studio

The suspected loss of Ted Kravitz and Louise Goodman will be a huge blow for behind the coverage during a race. They do an excellent job at tracking down drivers and team staff to find out up to the second news. They will be missed.

A New Era

2009 will be start of a new era for F1, with new technical regulations, cost cuttings and a new broadcaster. There's a very good chance that it will get much better and the same chance it could get worse.

I'm going to be open about the possibilities and changes ahead. I do have concerns about the BBC, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and wish them the best of luck.

Photographs courtesy of Roo Reynolds Nandini Gupta, and Jon Tan.

Previous Comments

Alan Hunter Wednesday 05 November 2008 1:40 PM
Hammond would be fine. Brundle and Coulthard would be an excellent choice. Pre-race build-up in the studio would be a very bad idea, as would dispensing with Louise and Ted' sevices. The BBC needs to keep the good bits of the ITV coverage and dispense with the bad: i.e. adverts, Allen and Ryder!!
Stephen Hill Wednesday 05 November 2008 2:39 PM
Thanks for the comment Alan.

Your quite right. There are many good bits that ITV has done and it would be a shame if the BBC decided that changing everything is for the best.

Small changes would be much more palletable by the viewers than massive changes.

Cheers
Stephen