I think I've seen plenty this year to judge Sky f1 now. At the start of the year it was understandable how Martin Brundle seemed really enthused by the prospect of presenting and commentating for Sky. A dedicated f1 channel with a botomless pit of money - can't get much better than that for hard core f1 fans can it? Naturally I was intrigued as many of you to see what Sky had to offer and with eight races gone the answer so far is...not much. Having watched all non BBC races with Sky their production, either side of the race is just so poor. The on screen team of that Lazenby fellow and old pros such as Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert is incredibly stale and not at all interesting. In fact they are just boring. Word of note to the Sky lads - stop trying to copy the BBC's style because it's downright boring and at times cringing. David Croft in the commentary booth is just downright irritating and seems to make errors with every sentence he utters - must be the Legard curse of moving from radio to tv. And how about Georgie Thompson and Anthony Davidson on a massive sky pad? And as for The F1 Show? I'll stick to reading James Allen On F1 for far better insight but it is decent and the best thing about Sky F1's coverage. Why is Davidson not being utilised more effectively? He's better than analysing stuff the viewers have probably come to their own conclusions about. The contrast with the BBC is still stark. While working on a much smaller budget and a smaller work force following being stabbed in the back by the coroporation's high executives the BBC are still streets ahead. While any Grand Prix production will miss the talents of Martin Brundle they have done far better than any of us imagined in filling the voids left. Ben Edwards is outstanding and after 11 years F1 finally has it's natural successor to Murray Walker. Gary Anderson satisfies the hardcore f1 nerd out there. He speaks technical brilliance and only needs a pen and paper and not some fancy big Ipad. If only the BBC could use him more during the races! And as ever the on screen team of DC, EJ and Jake (who's professionalism means he won't get drunk and loutish on transatlantic air flights as well as making Frankie Boylesque quips about dead members of Monaco Royalty live on air) makes the Sky team look like the desperate dullards they are. Just watch the non BBC races online through an internet stream. Why anyone would pay for such averageness is beyond me.
This. Not been impressed by the Sky coverage, even Brundle seems worse. I still hate Jake Humphrey, but despite that I find the BBC coverage much better, DC has really impressed me as well.
I did enjoy the warm up lap hype they did at the beginning of the season but they dropped it. I wouldnt mind watching the F1 show but nothing entices me to do so. The fact that we are forced to watch their program says it all.
Anderson is an absolute star, his understanding of F1 background and accurate analysis of data is astounding, my only problem with him is he's difficult to understand when the pit lane background noise is a bit heavy, note to the the BBC, Anderson should be given a much bigger role and a sound proof booth when speaking. Possibly Jake Humphreys could be replaced by Anderson as Humphery's is not a convincing F1 fan.
Second this. The people who should be shutting up on Sky talk the most and the people who are meant to talk all the time barely talk at all. Every time the F1 is on the BBC I watch everything on it and then maybe flick to Sky when it's over. BBC have actually got better! Which I was surprised about.
I like Sky. Give them a few more years and they will improve. They have enthusiastic commentators and one of the best pit lane reporters in Ted Kravitz. I still like the BBC but Edwards is a horrific commentator. He is the only downside to the BBC.
BBC wins hands down, was expecting a bit more from sky, I wonder if it is there plan to basically steal most of the BBC team over the next few years, as we know brundel is a big fan of DC, and while EJ is a complete arse, he is very entertaining.
Your statement lost all validity the moment you said that. Excellent commentator. It's Croft who's terrible.
Having listened to Edwards for years on the BTCC, he seems to have made the transition to F1 with no trouble at all and he and DC are a very good combination.
agreed, DC seems to be flourishing without Brundle, and Edwards natural and unforced enthusiasm for motorsport shines through
I will never watch Sky or even have it in the house, I will not subscribe to Murdochs evil empire, a company who endorses hacking into a murdered girls mobile phone, wtf
I would violently insult Murdoch, but seeing as i get my broadband from him, i'd look like a hypocrite.
I find Sky very formal, all shirts and serious stances. Unlike the BBC who still have that homely feeling with a good knowledge of sport. I like the new additions of Anderson and Edwards who have added to the professional touch. I find that hard to believe, but everyone to their own opinion, he has great understanding under it all.
You serious? Edwards is arguably the best appointment the BBC have ever made in covering f1. Him and DC really thrive together as the best partnership since Brundle and Murray. Loved Ben on BTCC and love him even more on f1 - the position he was born for. Brundle's never really thrived in the way he did on ITV. And he isn't doing so on Sky with David Croft alongside him.
