F1 fans can look forward to in-car cameras, the option to view split-screen coverage and the ability to screen out annoying commentary when the season starts in March this year.
The Corporation has finally made an official announcement about its plans – and most of it is as expected, including the full list of personnel working on the TV broadcasts. In radio Anthony Davidson has replaced Maurice Hamilton.
Get an in-depth breakdown of the coverage here.
The most interesting bits involve changes to the technical presentation, listed below. Not many of us will be surprised to learn that we can follow the coverage through blogs and live text.
However the assurance that everything happening on track will be broadcast somewhere is an advance. We can look forward to live qualifying and TV broadcasts of practice, which will also be available online.
They are being tipped to stick with Fleetwood Mac’s iconic The Chain as theme music (turn up your bass and watch the attached video) but we haven’t seen an official confirmation of this.
Here’s what the BBC says we’ll get when the season starts:
- Live coverage of all 17 Grands Prix and every qualifying session. All races to be shown on BBC One, except Brazil which is to be partly shown on BBC Two. Race repeats and highlights also available.
- An interactive analysis programme will follow each broadcast – much like last year’s Chequered Flag podcast service, which continues on radio.
- All on-track action available on the red button or online.
- A customisable viewing experience with options including split-screen action; a live leaderboard; in-car cameras; choice of commentary; live online streaming; live text; interactive forums; circuit guides and blogs.
- TV coverage presented by Jake Humphrey with David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan as studio pundits.
- Commentators Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle at trackside with Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie as pitlane reporters.
- Online video race reviews by Murray Walker
- Mobile users will be able to access news, analysis and results.
- Grands Prix will be available for download up to seven days after broadcast through the BBC iPlayer. Once the footage has been downloaded, it will be available for viewing for up to 30 days.