Back of the pack

Yesterday both HRT and Marussia revealed their challengers for the season after missing all three pre-season tests and failing crash tests but now, for the moment, that is behind them, tests are now all passed, cars are now launched and full focus is now on Melbourne.

Marussia had a whizz round Silverstone at their launch of the new car...

MR01

Marussia are the only team other than McLaren to not have a stepped nose, maybe this could work in their favour as the McLaren was looking stong in testing and of course they now have a technical partnership with Marussia.
The livery is a familiar black and red, just in different places. To me, it looks a lot like their GP3 car, not a bad thing but for some could get slightly confusing.

Meanwhile over in Spain, HRT took their F112 out for a spin around Barcelona...

F112

Surprised? I was! The HRT looks very impressive with an over-haul on the livery this year, is this the start of a new and improved team?! I hope the car is just as impressive on the track as it is off.

Slowly but surely we now have all the teams and drivers raring to go for the first race of the season in Australia in just under two weeks time, HURRAY!
The wait is almost over however, for those in the UK it could be over a lot sooner; at the end of the week. No, there's no secret GP but if like me if you really want F1 to hurry up then Sky F1 launches at the end of the week!  They'll start off airing after the launch, filled with magazine shows, legends shows, Grand Prix previews and more to keep us occupied till FP1.

Over on the BBC they have launched today now with a full team line up including Jaime Alguersuari who will be co-commentating with James Allen on BBC 5live radio. Out of the cockpit and now behind the mike, i hope this won't become permeant and that we'll see him on the grid next season, saying that i wish him the best, he'll certainly offer the inside scoop from a drivers perspective for the BBC.

"Incredible India"

I haven't been able to write about the Grand Prix but a little low down...
There was lot's of these moments...

Not forgetting the 'bring your handbags to work day'

Sorry for the GIF heavy post but these three sum up the race. 

Of course it wouldn't have been a Vettel win if we hadn't seen at least one of these...

However the weekend was over-shadowed and India fell silent for a minute to remember Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli.

One last note, All the grid wore 58's and DW stickers along with other tribute's but this has to be my favourite helmet of the weekend: Jarno Trulli's Marco Simoncelli 58 

See you in the Emirates for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

F1 2012 coverage.

By now if you’re an F1 fan and reside in the UK then you’ll no doubt know that next year the F1 coverage will be a lot different.
I’ve seen hundreds of shocked, angry and upset messages from dedicated fans, that from 2012 will have to PAY to watch Formula 1.
This morning it was revealed that Sky Sports will be broadcasting half the races from the 2012 season; the BBC will broadcast the other 10 races.
The difference? We’ve been enjoying the BBC coverage of F1 for a few seasons now after moving over to the channel from ITV. It’s seen Formula 1 grow as a sport with more and more fans enjoying the Grand Prix weekends, the Canadian Grand Prix is a prime example – more than 8 Million+ of us watched the GP, one of the highest viewing ratings F1 has seen in a long time!
It’s not just the fact that the BBC’s award winning Formula 1 coverage is moving channels, it’s moving to a pay channel. The one thing Bernie Ecclestone said would NOT be happening on the show last week. It would be okay if it was a free to air channel such as ITV, Channel 4 or 5, so why is it going to be on Sky?
To put it in perspective, with the yearly amount I’d have to pay for Sky I would be able to attend Silverstone. With the same amount I’d be able to go to all the BTCC races next year.


The teams and sponsors don’t do so well in all of this either but the sport as a whole will be affected too.
Britain may be one of many countries that revel in F1 but 47%, half of the national television audience was watching the BBC last weekend, that is impressive by any standards.
This is the home of motorsport, the home of Formula 1. Casual fans will lose interest if they don’t have Sky, loyal fans that can’t afford to pay for the channel will only be able to watch 10 race’s on the ever-growing calendar, and the worst of all? Some fans will now lose interest all together. It’s a shame but it’s a fact.
Not to mention the recent events involving Rupert Murdoch (BSKYB owner) where people have unsubscribed and rid themselves of Sky over the appalling hacking scandal. Is that what Formula 1 really wants to be apart of?!


I’ll personally miss the team, Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard, Martin Brundle, Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie. They’ve done such a great job, through the tough times and the great times, always providing a lot of laughs bringing us closer than ever to the Formula 1 lifestyle, no not just EJ’s ridiculous shirts (which I know we’ll all miss very much!) but I’ll reminisce at the end of the season.


Unfortunately there is not much we can do and it will be going ahead even though the majority of fans don’t like the proposal but on the bright side the 2011 championship season is still in full swing to enjoy on the BBC and the BBC only with Jake Humphrey and the team!


BBC - F1 website with more information.