The F1 Pit Box

I started to watch F1 seriously after ITV won the contract to broadcast races in the UK, so I've never known any different, thus the sports return to the BBC for this season hasn't struck a chord with me as it has with many other fans.  It's seven weeks until the beginning of the season and news is starting to hot up, teams are testing, rules are being examined and in the case of Honda, questions are being asked about their sale - making this a prime time to engage fans and snare new ones.

For a company who have lost the F1 contract, ITV's F1 website is still very much a good source of information.  It looks modern too, with its recent overhaul producing one of the best looking F1 news sites out there, plus there are plenty of pictures from the recent test in Portugal.  Pop over to the BBC's F1 website and it's a very different story.  It's not as well laid out as the ITV site, contains less information and the information it does contain is harder to find.  Also, if I ever see that picture of Lewis Hamilton giving the victory sign again when I check the page, I'll need therapy.

Why the BBC have not started to use the website to promote their F1 coverage is a little strange, and why they haven't bothered to make is something special is even stranger.  Perhaps they feel it's too early and in a way I hope they do, as it indicates they at least plan to do something!

My next BBC disappointment is the decision not to show Grand Prix in HD during 2009.  Yes it's expensive to do and would mean lots of behind the scenes changes and I understand there are others involved in the decision, but really, wouldn't it be financially worthwhile?  It would certainly be subscription or pay-per-view, so where is the problem?  Surely Bernie's agreement would come at the sound of the cash register?  Instead it's another missed opportunity to push HD content in Europe.  Perhaps a way to make us forget about the lack of HD is to retain The Chain as the F1 title theme.  Take a look at this enterprising YouTube video for a modern example of a possible BBC intro!

So far, the BBC have only given the impression they are behind F1 this season with their proposed choice of presenters.  DC and Martin Brundle are perfect, but as for the others, not being in the UK means I've not really seen them do anything, so judgement must be deferred.  However it's disappointing the coverage looks to be studio based.  Does that mean no more grid walks?  

High hopes for the BBC's F1 coverage?  Me too, let's just hope they're met and improve on what we're seeing at the moment.