God bless the BBC. I've been watching Lambing live with Kate "Bumble" Humble on BBC HD. Other programs do have viewers as well. F1 cant monopolize all the screens. Some budding kid wants to become the next Sean Kerly. 1988 Summer Olympics ring a bell.

Same concern here. Not bothered too much about Classic GPs or preview shows and whatnot, practice + 5 live audio option are really what I use. Onboard feed was nice last year too, but not really a make or break feature. More worried about the football World Cup, which will presumably, excuse me - urinate - over everything else in it's vicinity.

It's great it's on the BBC website and all, but I still can't help but feel the move to get rid of 302 to make room for HD was premature and misguided. But then I have neither the money nor the inclination for HD, so clearly my opinion means less. To the BBC, at least!

I bet Sky are showing stuff...

The trouble is, the BBC have to try and appeal to all audiences. This is no easy thing, and so some people will inevitably be disappointed if they miss out on something because another audience is being catered for.

Classic GP will be getting shown overnight though on Freeview from (I think) about 10pm/11pm until 6:55am...

EDIT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/8563333.stm --> Out of all the possible music's in the background at the circuit, why Gaga?

Have I missed something here, or are all those who complain about possibly missing various practice sessions on Freeview not able to watch on the BBC website instead? May not be ideal, but it's better than moaning saying 'I won't get to watch practice sessions X Y and Z on Freeview' and missing out completely. If it's about the fact you can't record them otherwise.........so be it, most sessions are replayed on a loop anyway as far as I'm aware, so still gives you a chance to record presumably. Like I said, I may have missed something regarding all this.........not sure what it is though.

yeh he was a triple world champion and everything, but the practice sessions he commentated on last year were pretty woeful and he just ended up coming off as annoying rather than knowledgeable

brundle is really good, and davidson is pretty much as good, even better in some aspects being a more recent driver, so i guess anyone is going to look lame compared to what i'm used to or the standards i expect when watching

Classics still on... Really? Excellent. You're good at getting the info DMN. Cheers. I know I have a laptop and internet connection, but my big telly is what I want to see stuff on...

...and what the bbc do for Sky they should do for all of us.....

I agree, that getting up in the early hours is a part of the experience, as far as I'm concerned...

Can I get BBC Practice on my freeview digital TV? I can't remember if I have to stream it online or not? I'm watching BBC News on BBC 1 right now, when I press red as it indicates in the top right all I get is sports headlines, no live feed (it's 6:45 so I know it's not on yet, but normally it has the link still...)

For some reason my channel 301 has disappeared. Whenever I try to access the channel through red button I get a "service temporarily unavailable" message. I tihnk my Freeview might not be able to catch 301 anymore. Or is it only available when the stream is on?

Channel 301

Glorious, thank you!

Two mins to go

Bandwidth costs. I don't have an unlimited package. There's your answer.

Wish they'd sort their microphones out.

I kinda like it when the commentary cuts out, some of the background noise is more interesting.

Sorry to put a downer on the proceedings, but I already have a couple of grumbles, most of which are based on presumption, admittedly.

- I'd forgotten how bad Maurice Hamilton was. Having got used to Anthony's style of talking about what is actually happening on track, Maurice doesn't have the same feeling. His chit-chat can be interesting in radio terms but AFAIK, Free Practice 1 was only available in 'viewable' form, since the cricket was on Sports Extra. He doesn't adapt, Crofty is better at doing so, as is Ant. Look forward to Ant coming back for Australia.

- What was the point in Jake Humphrey being there? I know, I know, he was only there for 5 minutes, but it's setting a slightly concerning precedent. Already on Twitter either Jason or Crofty said that both Jake and Eddie would be involved. Does this mean we can expect Eddie Jordan in Free Practice 2? Then Crofty said that Coulthard would be involved in Free Practice 3 on Sat. I really, really don't want to hear any of those 3 buffoons on what is almost always a fun hour and a half of watching and learning about the cars. It also raises the question whether they want this to be a regular thing? I really bloody hope not. I tune in to 5 live because it's separate from the BBC1 team, not because I want them all to be 'integrated' or what have you.

So, Jason, if you're reading this - less of the BBC1 guys, please, okay?


Anyway - apart from that, first session was pretty good, was a tad dull (lighten up guys?) but looking forward to FP2, on the proviso we don't have to listen to Eddie 'Force India used to be Jordan' Jordan.

Not entirely sure what the problem is really. Having Jake there for 5mins (out of 90, so hardly a big chunk of time) doesn't mean the session becomes any less 'fun' as you put it, to listen to. They have Ted there during practice sessions too, and he's part of the TV team as well........do you object to him being there, and feel they should only use Holly Samos for practice as she's part of the radio team? You've got to bear in mind that Davidson isn't there this weekend, so they're just trying new things out, doesn't mean they'll stick with it. Nothing wrong with trying something. Also I don't understand your reasoning for calling the 3 of them buffoons. Very immature comment to make in my opinion, especially in the case of Jake. Having Jake or whoever else there, even for 5mins out of 90, doesn't mean you don't still spend the time watching the cars, or learning about them. Seems very much an over-reaction to 5mins of Jake today, and DC seemingly doing FP3 (which will simply be because Davidson isn't there this weekend).

You're probably right.

If DC does the whole of FP3 that will be fine.

And yes, I'd forgotten about Ted. But he's become such a different personality on 5 live, he really lets his geeky side out during the practice sessions, it's great to hear his enthusiasm.

It is an overreaction, you're right, you're right, I know it. I just don't like the idea of the BBC1 crew commandeering the 5 live box. And it'd turn me off completely if they got a certain J. Legard involved...

I don't really think it was an immature comment, perhaps an overreaction slightly, but not worth fussing about. A bit like me and my post up there!

I'll try to enjoy the BBC1 contribution, if it doesn't overpower the 5 live humour and camaraderie.

Practice 1? Live on my telly? With a commentary? Am I dreaming?

Isn't it great to have F1 on BBC?

Why is Radio5 not broadcasting FP live (at least on their site)? Is it for Bahrain only, or are they switching to quali+race coverage only?


And really, take a moment to appreciate how lucky you guys (UK citizens) are you don't have to deal with lagging streams and pages being shut down right now.

Yes, yes it is.



First - 5 live only broadcast the race on Sunday and Saturday Qualifying session 3 (I think).

Secondly, it is 5 live's sister station, called 5 live Sports Extra, that broadcasts the F1 practice and Quali 1+2.

However, this morning, 5 live Sports Extra is being used for cricket, so there is no radio coverage for today. It is only available online or on the red button, from within the UK.

At least that's as much as I know.

FP1 on iPlayer --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rr...x_Practice_One/

NOTE: Will only be available for 7 days.

Ok, thanks - Radio5 or 5 live sports Extra is all the same to me. Good to know they will carry on with the F1.

James Allen just had a Q&A on twitter, he said he does some work for Australian Channel 10, and RAI TV Italy, why oh why did the BBC let him slip through the net? I know he wasnt popular amongst some people here, but he was so much better than Legard, and he has a real passion for F1. I think other than his poor voice and style one of the major complaints I have against Legard is his lack of passion, the BBC really need to admit they made a mistake and get Allen back in the commentary box!

What better way to have your breakfast than sat in front of the television with the first images from the opening session of the new season. Shame I had to go and catch a train before anyone set a time, but it was a nice treat after all that time away.

I was glad to hear that Jake HumphreySSSSS is continuing his Friday morning call in to Chris Moyles too. DC did very well trying to make some serious points about the new season while he was mocked or ignored in the studio, but when the piss-taking ended (well, eased off) it was a good introduction for anyone that knew nothing about the sport. They did a nice job of promoting the BBC coverage and anything that might make someone start watching for the first time can only be a good thing.

Strange that Jake does the Friday call to Chris Moyles, who clearly hasn't a clue about F1. Yet on Radio 2 (which has similar audience numbers, but a wider age demographic) you have Chris Evans, who is a petrol-head and would be best suited to pimp the F1 coverage on the BBC.

Loving the red button coverage this morning, listening to FP2 on headphones at work - the sound quality seems horrendous... is it a different feed from FP1?

EDIT just after posted it improved, seems like Jason flipped the switch for me!

Appears to be the case. Much much lower quality... and now I've typed that, it's vastly improved!

Anyone know if BBC Radio 5 Live are covering FP2 at the minute?

they probably heard loads of people moaning about him on message boards and decide not to bother

Just watched Di Grassi onboard on one of his first laps, amazing to watch these no TC cars when not hooked up. His lap was 5s slower than FTD but looked great fun. Catching the power and sliding out of the slower corners, Im so jealous of these guys!!! I also think the narrower front tyres make the cars look wider from on board, much nicer than last year. Enjoying this so much



I wanted rid of Allen as a commentator but would now prefer him to Legard if they were the only two options. I think BBC need to have a rethink and maybe find some fresh blood. If they could unearth the Jake Humphrey of the F1 commentating world that would be great, he's been a revelation as lead presenter IMO.

nope

Is there any live audio stream available for practice?

Moyles doesn't need to be knowledgeable about the sport to promote it. He encourages people to watch and immerse themselves in it, to get over that widely made criticism that it's just cars going round and round. They've had the two British drivers on the show numerous times over the last year too. I wouldn't recommend switching station for people imagining there would be any real discussion, but they now acknowledge that F1 exists other than on Silverstone weekend.

Evans would be more suited to a call with Brundle or DC. Again though, the majority of listeners simply won't care and if you feel that something is being forced on you all the time you're more likely to develop adverse feelings.

Couple of gaffs today by Holly Samos.

1. Referring to Jean Alesi as a former world drivers' champion.
2. Referring to John Surtess as 'Sir'.

Still, the season is young and all that. Bless 'er.

Plus 5 million young listeners are more valuable to Bernie than 5 million oldies. Start em young and all that.

That was funny though!

The whole team made quite a few gaffs I thought, today.

Missing replays, cars being twitchy, etc, usually Crofty's great at spotting that

Can't wait for Ant to come back home.

Hopefully she was just premature, which of course I would never be with Holly.

it's the Maurice Hamilton effect I'm afraid, he just can't do commentary

I bet if Anthony Davidson was there they would've missed very little

I think you're probably right.

Davidson fills the space with stuff going on on the track, while Crofty assesses the situation, but Hamilton just waffles about predictions and assumptions.


Free Practice 2 is up :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rr...x_Practice_Two/

I was called a Sir in England... Sir, no photographs! Um... I'm not a Sir so I can keep photographing? Until police constables drag me away? Shouting "I'm not a Sir so I can photograph!"

I was shooed away from photographing at two locations in London, UK. At the Ferrari Store in Regent Street and at a souvenir shop next to the Tower. Perhaps both were dealing secrets.

I guess my point being it is a bit ambiguous as to when you can call someone a Sir - perhaps it has suffered an inflation of some sort.

If you are talking to the person and call them "Sir" you are just addressing them correctly.

If you are talking about someone, and you say "Sir Jack Brabham" then it means they are a knight of the realm

Bloody idiotic legislation.

Reminds me of a Homer Simpson quote.

"All I wanted was to be called 'Sir', without it being followed by 'you're causing a scene.'"

were you photographing inside the shops?

I know it's nothing to do with the BBC, but I really don't like those new on-screen graphics (although having said that it did take me a full hour of practice 1 to notice them). I'm specifically not keen on the bottom-left to top-right staggering of the top 8 drivers layout, which makes it very awkward to follow logically.