Complaining about F1 on Fox again

Yet again I find myself sat on a Sunday morning excited for the 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix from Germany, and yet again the schedulers at Fox TV have decided to bring their own twisted logic into play.

There are a few expected behaviours for television companies showing Formula One racing:

1. Live is better than time delayed.
2. If you want to schedule for a better “local” viewing time, then races start at 1pm.
3. If you schedule a “local” time, also show the race live for the real fans!
4. Don’t cut to commercials in the last third of the race.
5. Don’t let the regular commentator talk over the motorsport specialists.
6. Pre-race is important, show the pre-race walk of the grid.
7. Post-race is important, show the interviews in full.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Fox got that memo.

Today’s German Grand Prix is showing at 3pm EST on Fox (Channel 5 for those with Cox Cable).  There was no live broadcast of the race, and they couldn’t even fit it in at a more reasonable start time of 1pm because they need to show a rerun of Monk!

So come on BBC Worldwide, pull yer finger out and get the iPlayer working for everyone.  I’d have paid to watch this morning’s race live via the BBC, and after a quick poll of both expats and American F1 fans I’m not the only one who’d shell out to alleviate the annoyance of Fox’s poor scheduling and badly timed commercial breaks.

What Iran can learn from the FIA

It looks like common sense has prevailed, with Max Mosely leaving the FIA and Formula 1 finding new stability.

This seems to be a very good lesson for the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; When your choices are stick with a bad president and drive headlong toward splits within the country and the risk of civil war or alternatively ditch the unpopular president and make your position all the more secure by seeming to be accessible and understanding (even if you’re not) then even a hardline ruler like Berni Ecclestone can make the right decision after a week of protesting!

So now hopefully with the risk of a break-away series fading away we can focus on the horrific human rights violations, and mockery of free speech and democracy in Iran!

• BBC News – F1 deal ends threat of breakaway
• BBC News – Iran “will not yield” over poll

Watcha gonna do now Berni?

Formula 1 championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso have all decided enough is enough and have threatened to walk out and launch a new championship series in 2010.

• BBC News – F1 teams drop breakaway bombshell
• The Telegraph – Formula One breakaway series only option, say FOTA eight

So it looks like Max and Berni’s attempts to squeeze yet more money from the F1 golden goose may have back fired.

What will happen next?

This is almost more exciting than the races this season!  Is there time to get a new series set up by next year?  Will Berni come back to the table to renegotiate?  Will Max be sacrificed to try and save the crown jewels of motor sport?  I’m on the edge of my seat!

Austrailian GP 2009 – Go Brawn Go!

Congratulations to Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team for managing not just an inspiring pole position on their debut race, but also the amazing final result of first and second place on the podium.  This was a great start to a new season of Formula 1. (BBC News – Button seals dream Australia win, Telegraph – Button wins in Australia)

However as I watched the race a few thoughts crossed my mind;

Formula 1 in 2009

Okay, before I begin, watch this:

Now, most of this looks like exciting stuff.  More down-force on the nose for better handling, plus slicks to give better grip and hopefully the end of the stupid “must use both compounds” rules.  Narrower cars, with less fins and boards, so lighter, faster, slipperier cars.  High rear wings in clearer air, hopefully this will allow the grip to be put down, whilst still enhancing the slippery aerodynamics.

Wait a minute though, have Berni and Max been playing the Xbox too much during the off season?  DId I hear Vittel say they were getting a BOOST BUTTON???  Now I agree that Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems sound like a great idea, and will hopefully allow for more advanced technology to be developed and hopefully silence the smug Prius owners in their boring cars. However, did they have to call it a BOOST BUTTON???  Maybe it is just me, but I reckon this will make the sport more exciting, but at the same time make the commentary sound like a group of gamers.  Just imagine….

Oh no, he’s not braked enough to build up his boost and now he just can’t sprint to the line in time.

Next thing you know they’ll be introducing time attack checkpoints!