20 Mar 2008 –
The BBC wins rights to UK Formula One coverage
And the Sporting and Technical Regulations are;
Formula One Regulations
But I prefer “Formula 1”!
I just sent this to Sky New Zealand who chose not to show the Formula 1 Qualifying this morning;
I have Sky to watch Formula 1. If you didn’t have Formula 1 I would not have Sky.
From: SKY TV [mailto:noreply@skytv.co.nz]
Sent: Sunday, 8 June 2008 01:00
To: robin.capper
Subject: FIA Formula One Qualifying LIVE
Reminder from SKY TV Alerts Service
FIA Formula One Qualifying LIVE will be showing at: 08/06/2008 5:00 AM
SKY Sport brings you LIVE coverage of the qualifying race from the Grand Prix du Canada at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal
I get up at 5:00 to watch the qualifying (as per the email above) only to find Cricket is still on. Fair enough, it’s running late, but there are 2 other sport channels so I look for the F1 on them but no sign. They have “live” events on also so I suppose it’s a bit rough to interrupt them.
Then see the SS1 notice “Live Formula 1... will be at 05:30”, then a notice saying it will not be shown at all except for a replay 15 hours after it was “Live”.
All of that would be annoying enough but especially when I find the live Soccer SS3 is also being screened on Prime so you have one event live twice while not screening the only sport I pay for Sky to see at all!
The result is one pissed off subscriber who got up at 05:00 to watch his reason for having Sky “bumped” when there were channels free to show it. Even more annoying is this happened the a few days after I get notified of a price increase.
I’d like some form of compensation, you’ve wiped out 1/18th of my Formula 1 enjoyment, 18 races/year, or about a month’s worth of subscription value
- Don’t reply you have a replay, 15 hours later is not live. You advertise “Formula 1 Live”.
- Don’t reply you didn’t have capacity, soccer on Prime and SS3 at the same time left a channel free
- Don’t reply you have hundreds of channels of other crap and that’s some form of compensation. I have Sky because you have Formula 1. The day you don’t have Formula 1 I cancel Sky, as happened last time Sky lost Formula 1.
I look forward to your reply.
Surely after the events in Malaysia the FIA need to impose a 110% rule, run at best pace +10% max, for Qualifying Session 3 to prevent the “fuel save touring”. Either that or allow top-up of the cars to “race fuel” after Q3 so there is no benefit in saving fuel.
Although McLaren were pinged for being the worst offenders it’s plain stupid to allow anyone to trickle around at slow speed to save fuel with cars still doing qualifying runs.
Remember how Gilles Villeneuve died…
It will impact us as we get the current ITV feed, via Sky TV (NZ not UK).
I hope it’s a change for the better but that won’t be hard if the Melbourne coverage is any guide. We had no commentary, nothing but ambient sound, for about 1/3 of the Qualifying. In the qualifying and races there are often audio gaps, when ITV go to adverts, and we don’t see, but get the audio for, many of the ITV replays. There is also little or no race build-up and the transfer from NZ to ITV is like amateur hour – often silent film, or just ambient sound before the tired old F1 logo and music sequence runs.
Bernie might set high standards, and like pressuring hosts like Melbourne to improve their standards, but our view of Formula 1 – only possible via a paid satellite feed – is pretty crappy.
Formula One - Times Online - WBLG: The BBC gets the rights back
Big change for Formula One in Britain as it emerges that the BBC has won back the television rights from ITV from next year(and for the next five years) to go along with its coverage on radio and the Internet.
It's Formula One time again, which is fan-bloody-tastic.
But I'm not there, which is not.
Felipe Massa has a been presented with very special Fiat 500 Turbo. I remember remember reading Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi also owned 500’s but theirs were the, slower, 1950’s Nuova 500. I wonder if this is really an upcoming Fiat Abarth 500 in plain clothes?
Fastest Fiat 500 for Felipe Massa | Fiat 500 News 2008
Should you come across Ferrari Formula One Driver, Felipe Massa, driving his new Fiat 500 don’t be tempted to take him on because not only is the talented Brazilian one of the fastest drivers around but also because his 500 is rather special – it’s the most powerful 500 that Fiat have ever made..
Image source Fiat NZ
In New Zealand the term “Boy Racer” is associated with jerks that drive high powered road cars on public roads, badly, so I think Stuff have “stuffed up” using it in this context. Brendon Hartley is a racer, some may consider him a boy (I don’t), but he’s no “Boy Racer”.
What he’s doing and what he is capable of achieving is amazing. I hope he gets to Formula One but doubt New Zealand’s ball sport fixated media will be capable reporting it.
Boy racer chases F1 dream - Stuff.co.nz
A Palmerston North teenager is receiving millions of dollars of backing in his quest for motor racing's ultimate prize.
Brendon Hartley may as well have been born in a racing car…
You’d think someone who’d trek across the Tasman to the Australian Grand Prix would drive a few hours down the road to the A1 Grand Prix at Taupo. You’d be wrong. For some reason A1 Grand Prix does nothing for me. I’m not knocking the efforts of the Kiwi Team or brilliant contribution from Colin Giltrap and sponsors. It’s just that the series doesn’t excite me.
It certainly doesn’t compare to Formula One. The ultimate expression of both series is “the race”. When you look at what happens on the track they are fairly comparable. A1GP has great drivers, close racing amongst the top teams and, thanks to the power boost, more potential for overtaking.
It’s what happens off the track which makes the difference. Equal cars means A1GP doesn’t have the same design or technology race. The series is also missing most of the glamour, sex, lies and politics which make Formula One so intriguing.
I’d travel around the world to see Formula One but have no real regrets about missing Taupo. A1 Grand Prix is like Formula One with half the Formula One missing.
A1GP ™ : The World Cup of Motorsport - www.a1gp.com/
A1Team.NZL - The official site of the New Zealand A1 GP Team UPDATE 2008-01-21: Well done to Jonnny & the team
F1–Live quote Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari and Fiat President:
Ferrari remain bitter towards McLaren - F1-Live.com
"I'm convinced that at least the colours (of the Ferrari and McLaren 2008 cars) will be different. I don't expect a red McLaren"
Brilliant race result and deserved title for “The Iceman”. He may be boring as hell in press conferences but the last half of the season shows Ferrari are getting their (Malboro’s?) money worth on the track. Let’s hope it’s not undone by the Williams/BMW/Sauber investigation.
It was a tough end to a tough year for McLaren and sad that a mechanical glitch, beyond his control, was the ultimate downfall for Louis Hamilton’s “rookie” year title. Will be fascinating to see what he achieves next year, and who he’s driving alongside…
One to print for the Brazil race. All the permutations of points & places.
What are the possible scenarios for the title fight? - F1Technical.net
With a difference of seven points covering the top three as we come into the final race of the season in Brazil, outlined below are the various scenarios that could take place in Sao Paulo next weekend…
What a day tomorrow;
[Comments added 07–10–2007 23:28]
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone…
And the real F1 winner is... - 30 Sep 2007 - Motorsport news - NZ Herald
“…his ideal scenario would be for it to be settled by a last lap collision between two feuding frontrunners in the final race.”
Thanks to hopeless local reporting, by sports media who only understand sports beginning with “Rugby”, I suspect few Kiwis are aware Lewis Hamilton had a role other than victim in the Hungarian McLaren debacle. All the reports I’ve heard locally paint Alonso as the villain yet when you read the events it’s apparent both were at fault. Thanks ITV!
itv.com/f1 - Explaining 'Pitlanegate'
The McLaren qualifying incident in Hungary and the subsequent fall-out has, for the moment at least, replaced the spy saga as Formula 1's controversy du jour…
A very Schumacher like drive by Felipe Massa in Spain, a better than Schumacher F1 career start for Lewis Hamilton. Perhaps the title will be between these two?
I’d not discount Alonso & but apart from Melbourne Raikkonen has been less than mega. Interesting times in Formula One!
- I’m a Kiwi = Support McLaren
- I’m a Fiat fan = Support Ferrari
- I like Alonso = Support McLaren
- In spite of his flaws I like Massa = Support Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton is a legend after 2 races = Support McLaren
- I think Todt & co run the best team = Support Ferrari
- In spite of his talent Kimi is just so dull = Support McLaren
- McLaren is a legendary team, Ferrari is a religion = Support Ferrari
Support Ferrari = Support McLaren so I’ll just enjoy what looks to be the best Formula One battle in years whoever wins!
New Zealand legend Bruce McLaren’s amazing life and achievements are going to be the subject of a feature length film. Many are familiar with the McLaren name from Formula One but often are unaware of the Kiwi connection. Bruce conquered Formula One, Le Man and Can-Am as an engineer, designer, mechanic and driver as outlined in this article by Sandy Myhre. With this story and a talented production team it promises to be a wonderful movie.
Bruce McLaren Film To Be Made - Xtra Motoring
22/01/2007 Sandy Myhre
A full-length feature film on the life and times of New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren is to be made over the next two years….
Bruce McLaren Trust Website
“Bruce McLaren was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1937 and was died tragically whilst testing one of his cars at Goodwood circuit, England on June 1970. From the young school boy with Perthes Disease, strapped to a metal frame at the Wilson Home in Takapuna, Auckland, to a world class international motor racing driver, engineer and designer whose name is still used in Formula 1 motor racing today, is a remarkable achievement.”
The New Zealand Heroes : Bruce McLaren : www.nzedge.com
Team McLaren has been the most successful team in world motorsport since it appeared in 1966. McLaren cars and drivers have taken the chequered flag at Grand Prix races 123 times, won 19 Formula One World Championship titles (more than any other team in the history of the sport), dominated Cam-Am events (56 wins between 1967 and 1972) and taken three Indianapolis 500 races. The man who started it all, Aucklander Bruce McLaren, was a brilliant driver, with vision that extended far beyond the driver's seat…
Two things were born today. One is sexy, fast (hopefully) and very red while the other, which arrived decades earlier, is not sexy, or fast and only slightly red after catching some sun while cycling yesterday…
See the new Ferrari F1 2007 at www.ferrariworld.com
 He didn’t win, or even make the podium, but today Michael Schumacher showed he is retiring at the peak of his career. After Japan the championship was effectively off, if still possible, and the qualifying fuel problem made a win unlikely but his drive from the start, then recovery from a post puncture 18th (last) to 4th showed what a class act he is.
Controversial, certainly, but without doubt the greatest driver of the modern age. You could argue for Senna or Prost but the combination of Michael, Todt, Brawn & Byrne rebuilt a legend into a modern winning team and I think that is his true legacy.
Yet, somehow it was fitting that although he proved his point with a storming drive it was the next generation that stood on the podium. Schumacher adds a final Fastest Lap to Career Statistics that will be virtually impossible to match. Alonso takes a brilliant second World Championship and Massa a deserved victory in his home GP. If anything it’s Massa who has stood out this year. Once fast and erratic he has matured to be a true rival for Michael, for Kimi next year, which is something few expected.
McLarens origin means being a Ferrari fan presents a certain conflict for Kiwi. As a kid it was Niki Lauda, his story & fight for life, that made me a Ferrari fan which makes this quote special:
Schumacher hailed as 'greatest' | BBC SPORT
“He is the outstanding racing driver since the Second World War”
Niki Lauda on Michael Schumacher
I saw one of his 90 wins live, Melbourne 2001, and all the others on the box. Thanks for the privilege.
itv.com/f1 - Final Schu facts and stats
We round up all of the amazing records and statistics that Michael Schumacher amassed throughout his extraordinary career, up to and including his final race in Brazil
Michael Schumacher at Melbourne (2001 & 2003)
   
While it was shattering that Michael Schumacher car failed I must admit I’m looking forward to watching him charge through the field.
Also:
Dear Bernie,
Why is the last Grand Prix is in Brazil?
It’s a long weekend here which means, for once, I could sleep in on Monday after sitting up till 03:00 watching Grand Prix. With Brazil the time difference means having to get up at 06:00 Monday to see the start!
One of the best Formula One circuits returns just as one of the best Formula One circuits is abandoned…
Belgian GP set to return in 2007 | BBC SPORT
The race's comeback was assured after the signing of a contract between F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the race's new management team.
Since reading of the link between Spyker & Ferrari, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development is a shareholder in both, perhaps its not such a surprise to see they get a Ferrari Engine deal. Does this help Fiat with it’s goal to own 100% of Ferrari again?
Spyker secure Ferrari engine deal - BBC SPORT
The new Spyker Formula One team will use Ferrari engines in their first season next year.
Might not think much of Midland/Spyker but signing this guy is likely to make more people take notice;
New Midland owner signs Gascoyne - BBC SPORT
The Midland Formula One team have been sold to Dutch sports car maker Spyker and the new owner has signed leading designer Mike Gascoyne.
Fiat bring Ferrari back into the family. It will be interesting to see what they do with the brand. The article mentions a link to Spyker, who are currently buying Midland F1 Team, which I wasn’t aware of before.
F1 News > Fiat confirms Ferrari buy-back - Grandprix.com
Fiat has confirmed that it is in the process of spending around $800m to buy back 29% of Ferrari…
I saw one of his 90 wins live, Melbourne 2001, and all the others on the box. Todays announcement means Formula One loses it’s greatest driver at the end of the year. Looking though the statistics at ITV gives only a hint of what Michael Schumacher really achieved in rebuilding the Ferrari team, the Ferrari magic. If the year ends with another world championship win it will be a fitting end to a career, not without controversy, that has transformed Formula One. The mega team built around Michael Schumacher transformed Ferrari from also-ran to winner. He will be missed.
Schu goes into history amidst Monza glory
Michael Schumacher took an historic 90th career victory, and his last in Italy, on Sunday.
Schumacher facts and stats - itv.com/f1.
We round up all of the amazing records and statistics that Michael Schumacher has amassed throughout his career up to an including his win in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.
There was a bizarre post-qualifying interview at Hungaroring. It’s not in quotes, as is from my memory, but went something like:
ITV's Louise Goodman interviewing David Coulthard about missing Q3 asked: How the cold [Hungaroring weather] is affecting you.
He replied: It makes it more pleasant to look at you in your thin t-shirt.
Louise [sounding startled]: We’ll discuss that off air…
They then cut back to the main commentary team who also sounded rather flustered…
I was just watched the post race press conference from Germany again while clearing out the recorder. I didn’t notice while watching live, it was about 01:30am local time, what Michael Schumacher said and Kimi’s reaction.
Michael, with a beaming smile, patting Massa on the shoulder: “he’s just doing great and I’m happy to have him as my team mate” . Kimi just sat there, fixed stare, looking straight ahead, trying to ignore it…
Will Kimi drive for Ferrari in '07, not if Michael does.
Losing his cool then losing time, with a penalty, means he faces a mega-drive to recover. Is this coincidence or caused by pressure from Ferrari’s resurgence?
F1 News > Alonso gets time penalties - Grandprix.com
F1 News > More on Alonso - Grandprix.com
It’s only a non-championship support race but losing the V8 Supercars is a blow for the Aussie Grand Prix. Every year they say “We’ll take it easy as there are no points, can’t afford to damage the cars, not long till the first real race” then the start lights go out and all hell breaks loose and you get one of the best races of the weekend!
F1 News > A blow for Melbourne - Grandprix.com
It has been announced in Australia that the V8 Supercars will not be supporting the Australian Grand Prix next year. The Grand Prix Corporation is blaming a clash of TV stations…
A great way to introduce Design Technology and Formula One to young minds
RobiNZ CAD Blog: Inventor designs F1 in Schools!
This is cool, school students design a CO2 powered Formula One cars and race for a trip to the finals at the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia.
 It looks like he’s having fun, but who is The Stig!
The Stig plays indoors with Toyota's F1 car - Autoblog
The vast exhibition hall in London's Docklands was the arena for the UK's first indoor F1 trial on Monday…
 The FIA have decided Microsoft will supply standard Engine Control Units to all teams from 2008 – 2010.
Cue jokes about Windows crashing F1…
Will Microsoft brand this effort with something catchy like:
Microsoft WinF1 (it’s in all the cars so they must!)
or will it be:
“Microsoft Windows Engine Control Unit Formula One Motorsport Edition 2008”
World Motor Sport Council - Decisions
FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Bridgestone has been selected as the official tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2008, 2009 and 2010*.
Microsoft MES has been selected as the official ECU supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Due to a significant increase in cornering speeds in Formula One this season, the World Motor Sport Council agreed to consult with the Formula One Technical Working Group regarding possible measures to slow the cars.
*Note to editors: In the absence of a second tyre company Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship for 2007. Bridgestone's contract with the FIA to be the official tyre supplier begins in 2008.
Via Autoblog
Not the usual source for a film review but GrandPrix.com did find a link to Formula One.
GrandPrix.com > Features > Film Review > Cars
I have a 12-year-old son and so going to see Pixar's new animated movie Cars was never really an option. And, if the truth be told, I went with some trepidation that I would be America-ed to death with the usual gooey schmaltz that one finds in Disney movies of all kinds…
It would be great if they can manage it, Michael Schumacher in a Formula One Ferrari in Hamilton!
Sport: Motor Sport: Hamilton Has Michael Schumacher Fantasy
Michael Schumacher could be a guest of honour at the Hamilton V8 Supercar street race in 2008.
My Dad went to the Australian Grand Prix and came back with these photo’s (taken from his seat near the start line) of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari.
Before:
After: Bugger!
Happy to see things went considerably better at Imola!
A remarkable account of the Ferrari resurgence at Imola from an unlikely source!
The Italian Risorgimento! - Blog RenaultF1
 A full field Formula One cars screaming into the first corner of a Grand Prix is nothing compared to this display of driving skill!
India Traffic Video - youtube.com
Via A Welsh View
Was Chicken Little right all along? Not quite but New Zealand’s main satellite TV service is off the air thanks to an errant satellite. It’s still up there and our signal is going somewhere, just not here!
Hope it’s back for the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday!
Sky TV Media Release
Thursday, 30 March 2006
OUTAGE ON SKY SATELLITE SERVICE
SKY apologises for loss of SKY satellite services resulting from an outage on the Optus B1 Satellite that provides SKY’s signal.
The satellite signal was lost after a routine positioning procedure to the satellite by Optus. This effectively meant that the SKY transmission signal was lost to New Zealand and to Australian customers. Optus immediately acknowledged the problem and set about its correction. The satellite is communicating correctly with Optus ground stations. Optus has commenced a “re-pointing” manoeuvre to correct the signal.
SKY satellite customers can continue to access SKY Sport 1 on UHF service. Other satellite programming will be restored as soon as Optus has realigned the signal. UHF services are unaffected.
Updates will be posted on www.skytv.co.nz
There are two things I like about Formula One Qualifying this year;
- We actually see it! It was never shown, other than a 30 second news clip, when Formula One was on free to air TV. Sky Digital does cost but at least they are showing the full session which is great.
- Its actually good to watch.Have they finally found a Formula One Qualifying system that works?
Continue reading "The new Formula One Qualifying is good!" »
McLaren's new car looks stunning, lets hope the MP4- 21 is fast AND reliable.
McLaren reveals new livery - pitpass.
- When Sky TV (Digital pay TV) had the New Zealand rights to Formula One I had Sky TV.
- When Sky TV dropped Formula One I dropped Sky TV.
- Sky TV have the New Zealand rights to Formula One again…
- And I’ve just signed up again….
GrandPrix.com see the link between Intel’s increased profile as a Formula One sponsor and their new “Intel Leap Ahead” corporate image. Suspect this is also prompted by the profile AMD have from their Ferrari sponsorship and FIA partnership. GrandPrix.com > News > Why Intel is in F1
Intel sign up for Formula One sponsorship with BMW Sauber. Intel signs up for F1 sponsorship - vnunet.com.
Hello?
It’s been there since 1922.
If you don’t like motor racing noise don’t live near a racetrack. Threat to F1 at Monza - Pitpass
It's sad to see old names go, especially these two who were Formula One icons even if not front runners on the track.
- Minardi > Squadra Toro Rosso (Team Red Bull)
- Jordan > Midland
Many of todays stars entered Formula One via Jordan/Minardi. Thanks to both for the entertainment over the years.
Save Minardi, Red Bull own it now but the name should live on. Today ForzaMinardi.com has learned that Minardi's new owners, Red Bull, consider renaming the team. This would mean that 20 years of F1 history would be lost.
ForzaMinardi.com - SIGN OUR PETITION
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