F1 2012

[rdchawk]

Heikki Kovaleinen's crash helmet looks fantastic when he is driving. It makes me laugh as it looks like a big angry bird chasing round the circuit.

[Wes_Howes]

That helmet camera they've got on Mark Webber is absolutely fantastic.

Yep, that is certainly better, as Anthony Davidson said, than the one they experimented with in Brazil. Get some IS on the lens and they're onto a winner Was good to see Marussia coming through both sessions without any major problems for what was effectively for them, a shake-down and test run. Just a shame the weather didn't play ball.

And how lucky was Kamui right at the end???

[rdchawk]

Fantastic qualifying session. Just goes to show RedBull were all about that blown diffuser.

[Stuka]

Looks like it has the makings of a good season, good to see Schumi up there.

[DanO1978]

Looks like it has the makings of a good season, good to see Schumi up there.

A strong Mercedes will make for a great season. Grosjean's qualifying drive today in the Lotus was superb too. How long before Massa gets the boot at Ferrari? Wouldn't mind seeing Sutil replace him.

Lotus are to protest over the Merc's rear wing...

[Tonka 617]

What a session! fantastic Q3, brilliant to see Schumi on the 2nd row and top drive from Grosjean.

Nice to see McLaren front row just a shame JB missed pole by a tenth.

Glad to see the Red Bull dominance over without their blown diffuser.

I wouldn't write Schumi off for a podium tomorrow... i can't wait for the race! and the rest of the season if it stays as close as this

[eirik]

This will be an exciting season!
Nice to see that Red Bull will get some competition.

Eirik

[Wes_Howes]

How long before Massa gets the boot at Ferrari? Wouldn't mind seeing Sutil replace him.

If he can get himself fit, Kubica will go to Ferrari. He gets on very will with Fernando and Stefano Domenicalli likes his driving style.

Great result for Mclaren, would be great to see Lewis start the year well after his poor year last year. Good for them to have the buffer of Grosjean and Schumi between them Red Bull too as over the race distance, I think Red Bull will perform better.

Finally, great to see Williams heading toward the front of the field again, let's just hope they can develop the car throughout the season to stay there.

[RRconway]

Ok, I've given in and got SkyF1 through Virgin, at least for this month, but at £22+ a month it had better be good.

My first observation is about there presenter, Simon Lazenby, is it just me or is he a Jake Humphries wannabe? complete with similar dress and an iPad....
He doesn't seem to quite have the rapport with the drivers though. The piece he did with Lewis Hamilton in the Top Gear track seemed really uncomfortable and awkward.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Ruislip Rustler]

The first 5 minutes of the BBC highlights of qualifying this afternoon show how far Sky has to go to catch up.

Lazenby and Damon Hill have to get some chemistry going as per Jake and DC but maybe it'll come with time as the season develops.

That Georgie wotsername doesn't appear to bring much to the party (other than a leather catsuit for driver interviews!) but Ant Davidson and Ted Kravitz's analysis appears pretty good so far.

I'll keep watching both until either the wife moans too much or one or the other becomes a better watch.

[Tonka 617]

I agree, Simon Lazenby seems a bit... meh, best way i can describe it, but hopefully he will improve as the season goes on, I had similar feelings about Jake when he started presenting F1 on the BBC but then he improved.

I think they should have put Damon up in the commentary box along side Martin for qualifying and race day and leave Crofty to practice commentary, Crofty waffled a bit to much for my liking during qualifying.

Georgie is just there for eye candy i feel and very nice eye candy at that and Ant Davidsons analysis i enjoyed a lot.

Just wish they wouldn't have adverts during practice sessions! but i guess i can live with that

[eirik]

In the UK you have the best two F1 channels.
Nothing beats Brundle's commentary, but the atmosphere and chemistry at the BBC seems a bit better than SKY's i think.

I am not even going to start with the norwegian commentary at Viasat.
Just terrible.

Eirik

[LN Strike Eagle]

BBC need to show full re-runs, not highlights - it just doesn't cut the mustard.

Some of their videos on the website show more detail and analysis than they showed on TV, so they're recording a full programme as if it were live and then chopping it to bits. If you're going to go to all that effort, why not just show it all on a few hours delay - I'd be happy to avoid the result if I could see the whole thing later in the day. There's no need to fly anybody out there besides the commentators and a pit reporter/interviewer if you're only going to give us badly edited highlights. Sending Jake, EJ and the whole production team half way around the world for highlights is just a waste of money, they could do their part from the MOTD studio.

Apart from anything else, when the deal was announced last year FOTA said they were only happy for it to happen on the basis that they BBC viewers would get the full re-run.

[Ruislip Rustler]

The Beeb are showing the race 'as live' aren't they. Surely that's the same thing?

It's on from 1400-1600 on Sunday so it'll be a quick recap,the race and a bit of chat. Shame that the red button forum got chopped.

I agree that I don't see how sending the BBC crew to each race and only showing half is actually gonna save money...

[DeanW]

I agree with Dan about the editing, the way they were cutting between the replays wasn't pretty. Looking forward to getting Sky installed in time for Malaysia!

I was disappointed by the Force Indias as well as Raikkonen today. Although it should all make for an interesting race tomorrow!

[A40-BP]

Lets hope the french twerp doesnt knock Hamilton and Button off at turn 1! I agree, its a shame Raikkonen was further up the grid. Also hope Massa can prove himself worthy again this year, Ferrari really have ruined him over the last couple of years.

7

[LN Strike Eagle]

The Beeb are showing the race 'as live' aren't they. Surely that's the same thing?

It's on from 1400-1600 on Sunday so it'll be a quick recap,the race and a bit of chat. Shame that the red button forum got chopped.

I agree that I don't see how sending the BBC crew to each race and only showing half is actually gonna save money...

They're showing "extended highlights" of the race - about 60 minutes worth of edited footage. The rest of the show is "build up" and analysis.

The BBC are also recording a red button forum for all races, regardless of whether the race is broadcast live or not.

[Mictheslik]

Lets hope the french twerp doesnt knock Hamilton and Button off at turn 1! I agree, its a shame Raikkonen was further up the grid. Also hope Massa can prove himself worthy again this year, Ferrari really have ruined him over the last couple of years.

7

More like let's hope the English twerp (Hamilton) doesn't knock Grosjean (who's Swiss by the way) off at turn 1! He's got history

.mic

[A40-BP]

Lets hope the french twerp doesnt knock Hamilton and Button off at turn 1! I agree, its a shame Raikkonen was further up the grid. Also hope Massa can prove himself worthy again this year, Ferrari really have ruined him over the last couple of years.

7

More like let's hope the English twerp (Hamilton) doesn't knock Grosjean (who's Swiss by the way) off at turn 1! He's got history

.mic

Im saying nuffink! I will however apologise in advance for all the swearing that will no doubt appear on FB tomorrow morning

7

[DanO1978]

Lets hope the french twerp doesnt knock Hamilton and Button off at turn 1! I agree, its a shame Raikkonen was further up the grid. Also hope Massa can prove himself worthy again this year, Ferrari really have ruined him over the last couple of years.

7

More like let's hope the English twerp (Hamilton) doesn't knock Grosjean (who's Swiss by the way) off at turn 1! He's got history

.mic

Im saying nuffink! I will however apologise in advance for all the swearing that will no doubt appear on FB tomorrow morning

7

Are you a grown man?

[TomTwin]

Lets hope the french twerp doesnt knock Hamilton and Button off at turn 1! I agree, its a shame Raikkonen was further up the grid. Also hope Massa can prove himself worthy again this year, Ferrari really have ruined him over the last couple of years.

7

More like let's hope the English twerp (Hamilton) doesn't knock Grosjean (who's Swiss by the way) off at turn 1! He's got history

.mic

Im saying nuffink! I will however apologise in advance for all the swearing that will no doubt appear on FB tomorrow morning

7

Are you a grown man?

It's OK guys, Grosjean was out early when the McLarens were pulling clear, Hamilton even let Button through and didn't hit anyone. Really fancy a McLaren 1-2 at the moment!

[A40-BP]

Good drive by Button! What a suprise to see boy wonder sticking his nose in again.

7

[Tonka 617]

What a race! Brilliant 3rd win in Oz for JB, Vettel was lucky to get 2nd with the safty car.

Unlucky for Maldanado to crash out on the final lap when he was on for a good points finish, roll on Malaysia and hope the exciting racing continues

[Danny]

Watched the race via an online stream since I don't have a TV at the moment. Well done to Button, he drove well and kept it together despite the safety car.

[PD31]

I agree that I don't see how sending the BBC crew to each race and only showing half is actually gonna save money...

The financial saving comes from not paying for the rights to 10 live races. The cost of sending a crew out there is pennies by comparison.