Crown

That's interesting :) I have partly the opposite perspective.

Sure, EJ is funny but I usually disagree with his analytical comments on TV whereas Coulthard IMvHO makes so much more sense than EJ in my opinion.

Lauda can sometimes say some very insightful things - but he has developed a reputation for being a bit of a loud mouth who sometimes speaks first and thinks later.

It's a pity because he is quite fearless and people would pay more attention and give him more respect if he just changed his style rather than what he actually says.

After all, the guy is a multiple time F1 world champ ... how many guys have that perspective?

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

In spanish TV we are lucky, we have had both Marc Gene and De La Rosa as commentators and they were treendously insightful since they are active members of their respective teams as test drivers and know every deatil like how the tires were on each track, the diferent compounds, wear, temp, fuel demands of the track, brakes, race strategies, peculiarities of the track and its corners and straights, the diferent car's characteristics, the drivers, etc. and many more factors that gave a very knowledgeable view of what was going on during the race and the reasons for the many things that one would see on the TV. All the things that only people who were on the inside and actually testing the cars during the wekend on the GP track would actually know, as much as past champions had experience with F1 back in their day, they are now outsiders and do not speak from first hand and private team knowledge, gathered from that very GP weekend and not past experience. Unfortuately DeLaRosa will be on a HRT so we won't have his comments next year.

--

Maybe "central" europeans are biased towards Couldhard because of the fights with Schumacher and there is a deep disliking in eachother. Actually in Dec 2011 AutoMotor&Sport magazine Couldhard was just again bragging about Schumi in France 2000 and that he didn't let him pass there .....I as schumacher would have responded : who is Coulthard - did he won the Championship once ???

Here's a list of 'Eddie-isms' i.e. all the times he has mispoken on TV in 2011:

http://www.planetf1.com/off-on-f1/7400651/The-Best-Of-Eddie-Jordan

He speaks English as if it were a foreign language for him ... in fact, many foreigners speak English better than him!

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

DRS in 2012 ... interesting article from Andrew Benson's BBC blog

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/12/drs.html

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Everyone has there favourites regarding TV pundit's. Regarding Sky Sports,, bring back Andy Gray and Richard Keys and get rid of all those boring replacements, specially "Ray I State The Obvious Wilkins" ...

throt

"I didn't do it"

I can't say I miss the sexism that Andy Gray and Richard Keys were dumb enough to state live on air ...

But we're veering off-topic with football pundits ... this thread is F1 territory :)

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Gerhard Berger doubts Raikkonen will be at the front of the grid ... a 50/50 chance is what he gives it.

Personally, I think there is no chance of this. Renault is highly unlikely to make a car that can outshine RBR, McLaren and/or Ferrari. IMO Renault will be battling with Mercedes again. As for Kimi, I said once before, the F1 that Kimi is returning to F1 is very different to the F1 he left. Also, re driving style and tyres, I predict Kimi will really, really struggle to adjust to the tyre degradation of the Pirelli tyre. Kimi has never had any mechanical sympathy with the car. He will learn that this lack of finesse is criticial in today's F1. Vettel, Button finished 1st and 2nd for a good reason. They looked after their cars through each stage of each race not straining them any more than was necessary.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7401611/Berger-doubts-Kimi-will-return-to-the-front

I think Liuzzi's F1 career has finally run its course.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7402902/Liuzzi-Future-is-uncertain

Patrick Head end official involvement in F1

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7402960/Head-cuts-ties-with-F1

Buemi rumoured as RBR reserve driver?

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7406192/Buemi-to-Red-Bull-

It would keep him in F1 but with very little real involvement. SV and MW tend to do the Friday practice driving so he is unlikely to benefit from this. Also, he and Alguersuari were replaced by Ricciardo and Vergne. If they impress, one of them would be more likely to replace Webber eventually since STR is the feeder team to RBR rather than the RBR reserve driver. IMO becoming a reserve driver at RBR would be the worst outcome for Buemi but I guess it's better than leaving F1 altogether.

Newey trying to recoup lost downforce from banning of blown exhaust gas diffuser and to find ways to improve on the 2011 car. All the teams that are losing this technology are in the same boat. IMO if there is one team that can manage it, it's RBR. They have shown themselves to be one step ahead of the rest.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7405896/Newey-Still-Room-For-Improvement

The last 2 race seats are still up for grabs.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/who-will-fill-the-final-seats-on-the-f1-grid/

Andrew Benson's BBC F1 blog on Barrichello's chances of staying at Williams

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/01/barrichello_back_in_williams_f.html
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Mercedes GP to miss 1st test in Jerez

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7410420/Rosberg-Backs-Merc-GP-s-Testing-Delay

Di Resta wishes he could race Vettel in similar equipment

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7408916/Di-Resta-Longs-For-Vettel-Battle

Di Resta has lost perspective here IMO. Di Resta beat Vettel in 2006 before Vettel entered F1. But, since then, Vettel has gone on to grow and develop massively as a F1 driver. Vettel has now achieved a level of consistency and performance in 2010 (and especially in 2011) that is way beyond what he was capable of when he was back at Toro Rosso in 2007 and 2008. Di Resta may have had a good rookie year in 2011 but he was outperformed by Sutil who was dropped because Force India thought Sutil had plateau'd and would not improve further whereas Di Resta might continue to improve. Di Resta is making the mistake of comparing their talent levels in 2006 and speculating what they could do in 2012 cars with their 2006 levels of ability and achievement. But in between 2006 and 2012, Vettel has improved exponentially whereas Di Resta has made much more limited progress in DTM and at Force India. It's IMO cocky and misguided for Di Resta to be making such remarks. He should concentrate on not being beaten by Hulkenberg who regularly posted faster Friday Practice times compared to Di Resta whenever Hulkenberg occupied Sutil's seat on Fridays. Hulkenberg is no rookie. He put a Williams on pole before Williams dumped him due to financial reasons. Di Resta has been consistently slow in qualification - Sutil was regularly quicker than him.

Personally, I predict Hulkenberg will outperform Di Resta through much of the 2012 season. In 12 months' time, I predict Di Resta could even be fighting to keep his race seat. In that context, these statements look really unwise and inappropriate.

I feel sorry for Karun Chandok .. I think he deserved a chance ... he admits he is very unlikely to race in 2012

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7410040/Chandhok-admits-defeat

Caterham F1 gets Air Asia sponsorship ... no surprise given Tony Fernandes runs both

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7409444/Caterham-get-AirAsia-boost

Williams rumoured to have lost AT&T sponsorship

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7407825/Williams-AT-T-sponsorship-in-doubt
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Buemi confirmed as RBR reserve driver

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/16421740.stm

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/buemi-stays-in-red-bull-family-hoping-for-a-second-chance/

2012 rule changes

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7410941/FIA-clarify-rule-changes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/16416932.stm

Some interesting views from LH on JB, FM .... plus some observations on the different Xmas cards at McLaren ... one shouldn't over-analyse the last issue IMO ... it could say something about what the drivers and the team want fans to think about themselves - but IMO more likely it just reflects their personalities (JB is fun-loving, LH is more serious) and the fact that the team needs to be even-handed

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/hamilton-on-new-mclaren-massa-and-fighting-button-for-world-title/
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Hello Easy! Just a quick question mate, since you appear to be an expert on the subject. I follow F1 closely on f1-live.com, formula1.com and up untill now on itv-f1.com (an old habbit of mine since the ITV coverage days). Now that the itv web site has bid us farewell, which one among the planet-f1, bbc-f1 and any other you might think of is best suited to replace the lost source of information? Cheers!

I like the analysis on James Allen's blog and the blogs/articles on the BBC F1 site the most.

For news, the BBC F1 site is good but slower to post stories.

For the latest news, I like autosport and planet F1. To be honest, for quick news stories, there are lots of sites which are all much the same. The F1 news websites hurry to put stuff out there and often print rumours and gossip too so they should be read with a pinch of salt.

You can find a list of F1 sites on the F1 links thread here on RT.

Hope that helps!

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

BTW formula1.com is good for past stats, FIA regs etc and official info but it has kind of a censored feel to it.

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

You have been most helpful indeed. Thanks a lot! 

FWIW I use pitpass.com often as well.

Noted. Thanks Jesse! 

The future of the F1 GP in Valencia is being questioned on grounds of cost. Not surprising really with austerity cuts in Spain ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/16442297.stm
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

And the boring nature of the track if I may add...

Even when times were good before the financial crisis and the world recession that followed, I always thought it was unwise and unsustainable to have 2 races in Spain. But the timing couldn't have been worse. The first race was in 2008 and then the financial health of Spain changed for perhaps the next 10-20 years. A sad case of over-reaching financially IMO when times were good.

--

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

I would not miss that GP at all. It is the most boring track of the whole season 

 997.2 C2S, PDK, -20mm

The Alonso effect mate! The only time two GPs were sustainable was when we had both Monza and Imola. Italy is perhaps the only country tha can justify 2 GPs.

I don't know how I'm going to watch the races next year.  I've been watching them on the BBC iPlayer for the past few seasons whenever I want to (so I don't have to get up at 6 AM on the weekends, haha).  Now that they'll be on Sky, I'm not sure what I'll do.  Any ideas, anyone?

Raikkonen has a seat fitting ... seems like there's an extra buzz around him on his comeback ....

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/the-moment-kimi-raikkonen-fans-have-been-waiting-2-years-for/

Buemi's hoping to replace Webber

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7416062/Buemi-eyes-Webber-s-seat

But Helmut Marko pours cold water on that calling Buemi and Alguersuari not race winners

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/alguersuari-and-buemi-not-winners-says-red-bulls-helmut-marko/

Seems like a case of Buemi's self-perspective is different from what those actually making the decisions about his future really think of him ...

Alguersuari rejected HRT race seat ... rumoured to prefer a 3rd drive role at Mercedes ... I think he has potential ...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7417877/-Alguersuari-turned-down-HRT-role-

Personally I think this would have been a good move for him ... an all Spanish team is good for morale and marketing .... but the key point is that he would have had the chance to learn from PDLR who would have generously taught him A LOT. This is what Alguersuari needed more than anything. Toro Rosso gave him a car and threw him to the deep end of the swimming pool to see how he would cope. He was young when he got a race seat and he needed nurturing IMO.

Human rights groups calling for Bahrain GP to be cancelled. IMO this won't happen unless there is rioting or at least demonstrations being put down forcefully. F1 seems to care about how it looks on TV to be associated with that ... rather than acting on principle which is what Webber in particular was calling for last year.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/human-rights-group-in-bahrain-calls-for-teams-to-boycott-april-race/

Hulkenberg looking to re-establish himself as a race driver in F1. He's clearly trying to manage expectations in public but you can bet he will be trying to out-qualify and out-score Di Resta every chance he can get.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7419491/Hulkenberg-A-huge-relief

Could there be a French GP in 2013? Perhaps they might alternative with Belgium ...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7415839/-French-GP-announcement-imminent-

Di Resta is aiming for a podium finish this year ... I will believe it when I see it. He overestimates himself and underestimates his opponents if he thinks this is realistic.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7415807/Di-Resta-eyes-podium

Bruno Senna fighting to stay in F1. I think the game is up for him. He was inconsistent and slower than Petrov, hardly made a strong case to stay in F1.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7414767/Senna-still-battling-to-stay-in-F1

McLaren, Ferrari and Sauber to test in Jerez. Webber will test RB8 first for 2 days before Vettel takes over for 2 days

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7414281/-Webber-to-drive-RB8-first-

Various McLaren staff have moved to Ferrari

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7412184/Ferrari-snap-up-ex-McLaren-employees
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Lotus Renault may have developed an amazing new piece of tech for the 2012 season ... potentially very significant

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/has-lotus-renault-found-this-years-must-have-gizmo/

Raikkonen testing a 2 year old car on 23-24 Jan before 1st winter test

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7421248/Kimi-To-Take-Old-Renault-For-A-Spin

Bahrain's GP still unsure amid the controversy. The Govt says things are normal again but the human rights organisations want a boycott

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7420987/Bahrain-quick-to-ease-fears

24 hours is a long time in F1. It seems like a Williams race seat has been bought for Bruno Senna by Brazil's richest businessman. It's funny. Senna would be replacing another Brazilian (Barrichello) and it's not like there are no other Brazilians on the grid (e.g. Massa). I guess someone really likes Bruno Senna ...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7419928/-Senna-will-race-for-Williams-
 

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

You can watch 10 full races on BBC iPlayer and 10 extended highlights programmes on BBC iPlayer as well.

Sky's catch up service is only available to Sky subscribers.

I don't know what you could do to watch F1 broadcasts from German, Italian or Spanish TV channels but I assume you want English language commentary. I don't know whether it's possible to watch South African F1 coverage. They have a good channel too (I think it's called Super Sports or something like that) but it's pay TV as well. The Netherlands may also get Sky coverage too ... dunno if you can get that. Check out how Aussies watch it too ...

Even if you have to watch a TV channel that is not in English, it shouldn't be a problem. You can download a BBC radio widget to your Mac or PC and listen to live commentary in English from BBC Radio 5 Live. There's also a website called RadioPlayer where you can listen to UK radio stations online for free. There's also a UK website called TV Catch Up that lets you watch free to air UK TV live. You need a UK IP address for that to set up an account.

Maybe there are other channels you can watch too ... be creative ... I'm sure you'll find a way to get your F1 fix :)

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997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

easy_rider911:

 I don't know whether it's possible to watch South African F1 coverage. They have a good channel too (I think it's called Super Sports or something like that) but it's pay TV as well.

Unfortunately, the coverage we've been getting (via Super Sport, which is one of many channels on the DStv pay TV bouquet) was sourced directly from the BBC - including free practice 1,2 and 3, qualifying and the race (live).

So, we're just as stuffed as you are!  No, actually we're even more stuffed, as we don't even have the option of paying for the alternative coverage on Sky TV.  DStv carries only one Sky channel and it's the 24-hour news feed (no sport). 

Oh no! That's terrible :(

I can remember watching the South African Super Sport channel while I was on vacation in Mauritius. I was able to watch the F1 race coverage and Wimbledon ... and the analysts in the studio were very good too.

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Barcelona may reconsider hosting F1 races

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7421556/Now-Barcelona-considers-F1-future

Mike Gascoigne on Caterham F1's 2012 car

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7422729/Gascoyne-excited-about-2012-car

Raikkonen injures wrist while skiing ...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7422792/Raikkonen-in-good-shape-

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

...and Kubica's broken his leg (again).  Poor guy's just not getting any breaks!

The wrong kind of break sadly ...

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red