F1 goes to Sky sports

[Paradise City]

Martin Brundle is better simply because he has the perspective of a driver, and still races semi-professionally. But strip that out Edwards and Brundle are both fairly strong, IMO. I've certainly identified no specific, recurring flaws in Edward's commentary.

I must admit I'm reluctant to criticise the men in the 'box too much. I still wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat after having dreamed they've just appointed some grisly Leggard type into the role!

[Adam43]

Almost off topic, but Edwards did race. I think he did Formula Ford and may have got a bit further? I'm sure there must be some sort of internet encyclopaedia that could tell us...

[Adam43]

Not quite, he won a formula first championship and did some other series (see wikipedia)
Interestingly, like Brundle, he lives in Norfolk. Although he isn't a used car salesman.

[Paradise City]

I was aware he raced back in the mists of time but it wouldn't square up to Brundle's decade plus experience in F1 and his long, long career in top-line sportscars, a career that's still current.

[djinvicta]

Perhaps he sold new ones Adam; Perhaps he worked in a Norfolk market though, coz he does shout a bit, and get over excited. I like MBs calm replys to some of Bens comments
Still we could of had JA back....

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

I was aware he raced back in the mists of time but it wouldn't square up to Brundle's decade plus experience in F1 and his long, long career in top-line sportscars, a career that's still current.

No it doesn't, but to be clear I wasn't even hinting it did. I just thought it mildly interesting.

[chunterer]

Ben got as far as Formula Vauxhall I think before he stood down.

He does seem excitable and there was almost an air of James Hunt 91 barca style when Alonso Didn't pit on the one occasion!! 'WHY hasn't Alonso pitted?! Why haven't they brought him in AARGH!'

However he sticks to the point the race is focusing on and doesn't waffle which is the perennial commentator's problem.

[Knowlesy]

I do feel that Edwards is louder more often these days, perhaps years of being stuck in an ITV box with Tim Harvey does that. He'll probably tone it down.

Best of luck to him, top bloke.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by chunterer

He does seem excitable and there was almost an air of James Hunt 91 barca style when Alonso Didn't pit on the one occasion!! 'WHY hasn't Alonso pitted?! Why haven't they brought him in AARGH!'.

Yeah we can do without the 'ARRGH!' It's a touch of the holiday rep trying to whip up the ambiance. It comes across like DC just stamped on his foot or something.

Still. I'm going to hang up a picture of Leggard over my TV. Just so I can remember to forgive the current crop of commentators for their little foibles.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Still. I'm going to hang up a picture of Leggard over my TV. Just so I can remember to forgive the current crop of commentators for their little foibles.

I'm still having therapy since the last time I saw him. You're a brave man.

[Mr V]

GT does a ggod jon presenting the F1 show iin my opinion. Seems that its just Ant thats under used now.

[Knowlesy]

Nobody does a good job on that show. Nobody.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

The graphics man did a superb job with the 3d car highlighting the Mercedes drag reduction system, even if we don't know exactly where these air tunnels are in the car.

[Paradise City]

I wasn't dissatisfied with the coverage as coverage goes but things do get more complex because many are shelling out serious cash for the privilege. I thought it was competent if uninspired. Maybe that inspiration will come when they settle.

The commentary box was good. If I was to nitpick I'd say that while Brundle is a knowledgeable, very observant commentator he can seem a bit glum like he's performing surgery rather than getting a kick out of the racing like Walker did. Walker wasn't a scientist of the sport more of a fan and I miss that kind of passion and bounce. In otherwords I'd sacrifice exactitude for charisma and passion in my commentary.

Croft seemed far more uptight. His occasionally easy going nature on the radio hasn't made the transition to TV - yet. This makes him seem quite vanilla atm.

At the next level Lazenby and Hill. Again competent but no chemistry, no sparkle. I think the reason for this is that Lazenby just isn't confident in the territory. He's a rugby man and is disorientated in life in the fastlane. Lazenby needs a crash course in F1 and Hill needs a co-pundit, Davidson being my suggestion.

Thompson like Lazenby just plain isn't briefed in motorracing and therefore we see her pulling funny faces half the time! The Skypad is hard to justify, its frankly wasteful gimmickery which only makes her seem ridiculous. Like Lazenby I'm willing to put it down more to bad planning than to her, I think she can do the job when well-prepped. Davidson makes the best of it but without chemistry and a clear purpose he's in a kind of a limbo.

Ted is his usual, friendly and diligent self. I made some harsh remarks against Natalie P in an earlier post. But I must admit her easy rapport with Haug in Malaysia was one of the things that stood about the coverage.

[Adam43]

The only thing wrong with skypad is the name. If it didn't have a name no one would worry about it. It is just a way to show replays and highlight interesting aspects they want to draw our attention too. Every sports programme does it. It has a small advantage of having a user interface to allow flexibility in the commentary. It is like sitting in the editing suite that Brundle did on the red button last year.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Nobody does a good job on that show. Nobody.

Only seen it once, but it was ok for me.

[Knowlesy]

Interesting fact: the Skypad is actually an iPad. Sky have used the team midgets, Ant and Georgie, to make it look bigger and more impressive.

[MarkG]

A 138 page topic for the same old names repeating their view, in different words each time, about why they hate Sky coverage.
I'm no fan of Murdoch but Sky fees do provide jobs for a lot of normal people, and although it's not perfect, I am enjoying all the F1 coverage on Sky.
Personal views about personnel are just that, personal views. Does the world really care?

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Nobody does a good job on that show. Nobody.

To be fair Ted does. And in no way is Ted a natural presenter.

Everyone loves the Kravster!!

[Born Racer]

Originally Posted by MarkG

A 138 page topic for the same old names repeating their view, in different words each time, about why they hate Sky coverage.
I'm no fan of Murdoch but Sky fees do provide jobs for a lot of normal people, and although it's not perfect, I am enjoying all the F1 coverage on Sky.
Personal views about personnel are just that, personal views. Does the world really care?

To be fair, this is a forum, which is for conversation, including what you may consider idle conversation. The point now centres around the fact that many of us have paid our money, so we're waiting for something above and beyond what we had before (which may or may not come).

It's neither here nor there whether the world cares; it's about whether the hardcore fans, the likes of which would post on a forum care.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by MarkG

A 138 page topic for the same old names repeating their view, in different words each time, about why they hate Sky coverage.
I'm no fan of Murdoch but Sky fees do provide jobs for a lot of normal people, and although it's not perfect, I am enjoying all the F1 coverage on Sky.
Personal views about personnel are just that, personal views. Does the world really care?

I don't care if Sky fees provide people with jobs, they already were before they got F1 for goodness sake. I'm sure they were coping just fine, what with having a monopoly on every sport going.

Or have millions of people suddenly taken subs out because Sky got F1?

And you'll probably find most peoples beef is with the BBC.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

And you'll probably find most peoples beef is with the BBC.

Only the informed.

Generic 'man down the pub' still regards Sky as having 'stole' it (possibly because of Jake Humphrey's comments on 'The One Show'?). They always look so disappointed when i break it to them that the beeb initiated it.

[Born Racer]

Good points about the BBC, but with me I don't care about beef with either of the channels. I want more for my money than what we got with the BBC for free.

It's telling at this stage that I'm still looking forward to watching the BBC's first live race on the BBC.

[andy666]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Good points about the BBC, but with me I don't care about beef with either of the channels. I want more for my money than what we got with the BBC for free.

It's telling at this stage that I'm still looking forward to watching the BBC's first live race on the BBC.

I agree , after watching the first two races on Sky I thought the coverage was good but no better than what we got last year on the Beeb . Has anyone else noticed that drivers/team principals do not seem too comfortable with the extra access Sky has ?. Martin Brundle sticking his microphone in the cockpit of Charles Pic's car also Martin speaking to Di Resta while taking the new car round Silverstone , I could almost hear Paul saying " shut up i am trying to concentrate " ! In my opinion Sky could get better after all we are only two races in but it should be alot better as we are now paying extra for it !!!

[andy666]

Originally Posted by andy666

I agree , after watching the first two races on Sky I thought the coverage was good but no better than what we got last year on the Beeb . Has anyone else noticed that drivers/team principals do not seem too comfortable with the extra access Sky has ?. Martin Brundle sticking his microphone in the cockpit of Charles Pic's car also Martin speaking to Di Resta while taking the new car round Silverstone , I could almost hear Paul saying " shut up i am trying to concentrate " ! In my opinion Sky could get better after all we are only two races in but it should be alot better as we are now paying extra for it !!!

P.S. I am also looking forward to watching China on the BBC !!!