I have my doubts about DC being an effective commentator as he is quite monotonous and uninteresting sounding. I wonder if the BBC will be giving him some coaching to improve his delivery? Who could the BBC have chosen as co-commentator and is DC the right choice?
Anyone else think that Reubens Barrichello might be being lined up to join the BBC team in the future? He seems to have the right personality, knowledge and experience, and he seems to regularly debate the races with DC, Eddie Jordan and Jake Humphries after the races. He also seems to get on well with all the drivers, so might be able to give more insider information too.
I do think Eddie should be a commentator, to liven up the box a bit... DC and MB are slightly monotone in a way.. Lets see what happens.
Surprisingly, Coultard is doing a brilliant job as No2 to Brundle, his insight is concise and revealing, I must say he's doing a better job than I ever imagined possible.
I think Schumacher should be the main commentator, he can probably do the whole thing by the in-car radio!
I agree with Absolutely G here. There's just one modification I'd make: I expected Coulthard to do a good job. - He's always worked well with Brundle and sees him as a natural leader who has always given him a sense of direction and a sense of self-belief. I said this somewhere in the pages of BBC 606 when the announcement was made, but what mattered to everyone was that Legard was going! - Nothing else mattered!
I'm not a great fan of Eddie Jordan, but Jake seems to keep him in check without appearing censoring. As for Brundle he is mostly really good, and DC keeps his contribution concise. DC could become too monotone if allowed to ramble on. The engineers and team bosses interviews are generally good, too. Chats with drivers and news from the pitlane are usually worthwhile. All things considered I say 8 or 9 out of ten so far. Unless I'm mistaken we don't seem to spend 30 seconds looking at some team's backsides like we used to !! I can forgive 5 seconds on a fit young lady fan, but a bunch of nobodies in the crowd for 2 minutes - no thanks!
Does anyone else think the build up to quali should be reduced in favour of more analysis afterwards? This Saturday we didn't even get the drivers' press conference in. Sunday the long build up/short analysis is OK because the Forum is on afterwards.
Yes! A build up to qualifying isn't really needed, all people need is a review of practice and what new 'things' we need to look out for/know for the qualifying. I'd much prefer a analysis of qualifying to be added at the end and a selection of driver interviews.
Yes! I agree that Post Qualifying time should be extended. If necessary, cut the equivalent time from the build up. Bergkamp: during the race, the pictures are provided by the host country although as I understand it, FOM are taking an ever more influential role. Everyone around the globe gets exactly the same pictures throughout the race. What we see is completely out of the BBC production and commentary team's domain: nothing whatsoever to do with them until the event is completed. The cameras for Jake and Eddie - and DC before he joins Brundle in commentary - are entirely seperate from race coverage.
I think at the moment, the commentary is fine, haha in Malaysia Eddie felt a bit on edge when Chandok was allowed to present the show for a while in the Lotus garage..
AG - best comment so far - we could drop some of the build up in favour of post Qualy chat. I do realise coverage is provided by host country but I'm sure that guidance/observations are made at a high level !!! If not sure they can always ask me....
Holy Christ, what a terrifying thought. Jordan can't string half a sentence together, and I mean half a sentence. When he starts to speak he delivers an impossible syntactical contortion and if - IF - he manages to complete a sentence it completely lacks any connection to English or sense. Like a Dan Brown novel, his only function is to make the rest of us feel smug and superior. We've only just got rid of one sub-human cup of primordial mud, don't wish another on us.
genjirrumatio - 'Like a Dan Brown novel, his only function is to make the rest of us feel smug and superior'. I have to admit you've lost me there mate, care to explain?
Jordan....'impossible syntactical contortion ' -you forgot to add in a half stumble of delivery of the words.
Ha! Poor old Eddie eh… But you know what? - I wouldn't change any member of the BBC's presentation team now. I confess to missing him from the China line-up. He adds a certain cranky enthusiasm which can be good fun. He is something of a clown; but really, the funniest thing is that he tries to keep a straight face! And Genji: I think you're being a bit harsh in comparing him to Zlodman. Eddie is one of a kind but at least he is human and has the grace to laugh at himself on the few occasions where he realises he's wrong. But the best entertainment he's provided recently has to be his 'senior moment;' completely drying up on camera whilst attempting to interview Jenson Button - who could barely restrain his mirth! I found it absolutely hilarious. Beeb: you must keep him in that role!