BBC Coverage

Yes its whoever FOM choose as there director. It often seems to be the same guy at each race, or they hire directors with an equally wayward approach from each country we visit.

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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

The commentary during a race then I’m not so huge on. They tend to miss a lot of things happening on the circuit.

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I think that's a bit harsh. IMO they are missing less than previous commentators have, despite the races being much more eventful this year.

I think the possibility that EJ is an eejit may have been mentioned previously ;) He gets everyone talking though doesn't he, so if you subscribe to the theory that there's no such thing as bad publicity then he's doing a great job :)

It's not as bad as it used to be. Back in the day the directors would be from the local TV company, with instructions to show the race catering for the local market. So in Spain you'd see nothing but Alonso, in Germany nothing but Schumacher, etc.

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Originally Posted by Mark

It's not as bad as it used to be. Back in the day the directors would be from the local TV company, with instructions to show the race catering for the local market. So in Spain you'd see nothing but Alonso, in Germany nothing but Schumacher, etc.

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Or you'd get a director so concerned not to miss anything happening to the leader that they would focus on them to the detriment of what else was going on, no matter how far in front they were.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

Or you'd get a director so concerned not to miss anything happening to the leader that they would focus on them to the detriment of what else was going on, no matter how far in front they were.

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I believe back in the bad old days of the early 2000's where the world feed was deliberately crippled to make us subscribe to the digital pay per view (even though it wasn't actually available!) There was a contractual requirement for the director to show certain proportion of each car, depending on position in the race and constructors championship ranking from the previous year. This meant they often spent a long time showing cars where nothing was happening, and missing action elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by AndyL

I think that's a bit harsh. IMO they are missing less than previous commentators have, despite the races being much more eventful this year.

I think the possibility that EJ is an eejit may have been mentioned previously ;) He gets everyone talking though doesn't he, so if you subscribe to the theory that there's no such thing as bad publicity then he's doing a great job :)

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My main issue with the commentary, especially last year, was their tendency to be biased against Schumacher. Brundle’s obvious grudge against him with comments such as in Silverstone last year when Vettel hustled past him where he said something along the lines of “That’s no more than the treatment Schumacher has dished out through the years coming back at him” and other silly rants as that turned me off listening to BBC. I’d expect better professionalism from a BBC commentator. Brundle seems to have toned it down this year a little though but he has had one or two moments of unwarranted criticism. DC has been doing a very good job and, to his credit, he seems to be more neutral, which is what I’d expect from him.

I agree that is probably EJ’s role, the joker of the pack a such. It is entertainment after all. Sometimes listening to him babbling on just infuriates me.

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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

My main issue with the commentary, especially last year, was their tendency to be biased towards Schumacher.

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I think you mean 'biased against', don't you?

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I think you mean 'biased against', don't you?

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Yeah ;)

I like the role EJ plays in that he speaks his mind - even if it's a lot of nonsense sometimes. We already have enough people who are afraid to speak out and tow the corporate line and be diplomatic the entire time.

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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

My main issue with the commentary, especially last year, was their tendency to be biased against Schumacher. Brundle’s obvious grudge against him with comments such as in Silverstone last year when Vettel hustled past him where he said something along the lines of “That’s no more than the treatment Schumacher has dished out through the years coming back at him” and other silly rants as that turned me off listening to BBC. I’d expect better professionalism from a BBC commentator. Brundle seems to have toned it down this year a little though but he has had one or two moments of unwarranted criticism. DC has been doing a very good job and, to his credit, he seems to be more neutral, which is what I’d expect from him.

I agree that is probably EJ’s role, the joker of the pack a such. It is entertainment after all. Sometimes listening to him babbling on just infuriates me.

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I'm not quite sure how you see that Brundle comment as biased, Schumacher HAS made some strong passes in the past. Also DC does love his old Red Bull team.