Forumla 1

[Dean Rose]

The announcing on this years F1 really sucks. It's being done by Sky Sports on ESPN. Bring back Leigh Diffey, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett.

Dean

[kingoffleece]

While your at it, bring back some real racing.
I'm a life long fan, been to three races at two different track, and gotta say it stinks now.

[Devildog]

Martin Brundall is the best of the Sky team, also the oldest....

[Aaron D.]

Well, I miss Hobbs, Diffey and Matchett, heck Bob Varsha too, but Sky is the world feed  and NBC could see what is coming.

When Bein disappeared from DirecTV I got the MotoGP app and it's great. F1 will likely go that way, you can actually get it now but since ESPN doesn't run ads since the Australia there's no point.

I do like the camera work this year and frankly I don't pay much attention to the announcers anyway. Racing isn't too bad, maybe next year will be better.

[Stevex]

Sky has a contract to be sole provider for F1 coverage in UK 'til about 2025. Thanks Ecclestone, you fkwit! (agreed before he sold the franchise).
At the last minute however, UK Channel 4 will provide a highlights programme, which is what I'll be watching.
Part of the Sky agreement is that F1s own coverage of practice, qualifying and the race will not be available on the internet in the UK.
Not sure what Skys agreement is in the US; can you access F1s web site for coverage?

[LowRyter]

ESPN is spending nothing on F1 and only providing air time.

NBC dropped it when they determined that F1 wanted to keep all online content rights in competition with NBC online.  I think the ESPN deal is temporary until a permanent US broadcast scheme can be worked out.

[Rod]

I used to live near Silverstone and went to several races when Damon Hill in the Williams was duelling with Michael Schumacher for Ferrari, of course, usually in the rain. It was Murray Walker and Martin Brundle announcing, and the fun was waiting for a mis-quote from Walker, who's commentary nevertheless infused the sport with much needed excitement. Walker/Brundle were the best. I started losing interest when Murray Walker retired.