F1 on TV

[John]

Just a reminder that the first F1 programme of the weekend is TONIGHT (Thursday night/Friday morning). Seems weird to me that there is a qualifying show so early as usually there's nothing til Saturday so thought I'd post it here incase you forgot!

The full ITV1 schedule is as follows:

Friday 7 March - 2.15am to 4.10 am (ie Thursday night) First Qualifying Session Live

Saturday 8 March - 12.30am to 4.15 am (ie Friday night) First Qualifying session repeated followed by Final Qualifying live

Sunday 9 March - 2.05am to 5.10am (ie Saturday night) Race live

Has there ever been a season where there has been over 7 and a half hours of coverage before the red lights go out at the start.(ie preview last week, two qualifying sessions and nearly an hour pre-race build up before the race!) Thats makes buid up over 5 times the length of the actual race!!!

[tvgod]

Yes.

Both 1999 and 2000 has six hours worth of preview on the Saturday night before the opening race of the season on ITV2, in addition to live and repeated qualifying.

[John]

Ah thats ITV2 tho - not a mainstream terrestrial channel. Is that when they showed every film that was even remotely related to cars?? Or am I thinking of something else?!

[tvgod]

They did also show the John Frankenheimer film Grand Prix, but that was on ITV1 later at night.
This was a programme presented by James and Louise, which had interviews with drivers, predictions from Murray Walker, a documentary about Jenson Button, review of the previous season, documentary about Jackie Stewart etc.
Obviously the other year was different - I don't think they could get away with showing the same preview two years in a row.

[John]

I dont know - I reckon the 2001 and 2002 previews would have been pretty similar 'Yeah MS is gonna win the drivers' champ and Ferrari are gonna win the constructors' champ! - and erm.... thats about it really'

Or Im a just cynical ?! ;)

[Peter]

I also remember the night before the 1997 Australian Grand Prix (ITV's first ever race), when Clive James presented a chat show with two thirds of the Grand Prix grid and Michael Schumacher spoke to them via satellite. Immediately after the show was the film 'Grand Prix.'

[Reynard]

Coooooo, I remember that.

Didn't watch the film though as I'd already seen it on several occasions, but certaily I watched Clive James as he's so funny. I did get a bit of amusement from shots of Murray and Martin with a big tub of popcorn just before the opening credits of the film though...

Still undecided whether to watch the GP live, but I'll certainly tape it. As for qualifying - I've watched it live from OZ occasionally, but I go training on Fridays these days so I don't think that would be a good idea. If I do watch it live, I'll be the sabre-waving pile of protoplasm that you'll all see in the IC Union gym... :rolleyes:

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Is it repeated on the sunday as of usual, over lunch?

[John]

Assume so - I was using the TV mag that came with the Sunday Times so it only goes up to Saturday night.

But I cant see them not showing on Sunday lunchtime.

[thommo_fan]

it is deffinetly on on sunday lunchtime.

trulli was fastest in private testing. fisichella was only a tenth behind. very encouraging

[Claire]

Well I got up to watch the practice this morning. Thought it went well, lots of repeats of bits of the preview show but the practice was well covered with some interesting in car shots.
No big surprises amongst the ranks, with the exception of the BAR's, lets see how hard everyone pushes it tomorrow. :)

[John]

Yeah know what you mean about the repitition, don't be surprised to see it tonight and tomorrow again!! But those people who do not want to / do not have time to watch the preview and qualifying shows need to be catered for too I guess.

Don't think we can complain too much as the coverage seems pretty good so far!!

Apparantly according to Autosport ITV will review the decision to show Friday qualifying after Australia - personally I hope they stick with it.

Also Autosport say that ITV are going to release the new theme tune at some point soon to try and get F1 more publicity!! You aint seen nothing yet then! ;)

[John]

Forgot to say - I was under the impression the pit-car radio traffic was to be broadcast but not heard any yet (might just be that the drivers don't talk during the fast lap but was looking forward to hearing something)

Also Autosport (again!) say the TV cameras will have access to the Sunday morning drivers' briefings - so that might bring up some interesting viewing!

[John]

SORRY - forgot this aswell (can you tell I was watching F1 when I should have been sleeping!)

Was watching Jonathon Pearce's football show on C5 last night and caught an Ad for some F1 programme on Sunday evening at 8-9. Dont have anymore details regarding what it is about or anything, but keep an eye out for it in the paper or where-ever.

[Ann]

I'm planning a long night watching both qualifying sessions back to back from 12.30am- 4.15 am! Thank goodness not every race is in the other hemisphere!

And there is a lunch time repeat on Sunday for those who actually have a normal sleep pattern: 13:30-14:55 according to Autosport (seems a bit short) or 13:30-16:00 according to the Radio Times! Switching on at 13:30 seems to be a safe bet - not sure about the rest of it!

[John]

Originally posted by John
Was watching Jonathon Pearce's football show on C5 last night and caught an Ad for some F1 programme on Sunday evening at 8-9. Dont have anymore details regarding what it is about or anything, but keep an eye out for it in the paper or where-ever.

C5 website deascribe it as "Documentary exploring the ever-evolving technology behind the most advanced racing car in the world" Thats much clearer now! Sounds worth a look though.