2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

[Hyst]

The British tend to have the same atittude when it comes to football. It's quite annoying, as most of the sports I care about are presented on TV by British companies. Wasn't in Fuji 08 (not sure, but definitely a rain race) where Lewis was miles ahead of everyone and their was some insanely good battle for 2nd or 3rd, but almost the entire final lap was just Lewis crawling around? Show him crossing the finish line, fine, but come on.

 

[crooky369]

The British tend to have the same atittude when it comes to football. It's quite annoying, as most of the sports I care about are presented on TV by British companies. Wasn't in Fuji 08 (not sure, but definitely a rain race) where Lewis was miles ahead of everyone and their was some insanely good battle for 2nd or 3rd, but almost the entire final lap was just Lewis crawling around? Show him crossing the finish line, fine, but come on.

It's not ITV who chose to show Hamilton at the end of that race it was from the FOM feed, so not really a fair point.

Also I think that a lot of British people who only support British drivers are doing it because Formula one is a sport, that is one of Britons best for doing well in.

 

[Metar]

Showing the winner on his final lap is something we get every race... Even though, from their comfortable leads, the winner is never quite interesting as those battling for positions behind them.

But indeed, I too was outraged when FOM cut from the amazing Raikkonen-Kovalainen battle at Fuji 2007 to show Hamilton crawling around safely for his final lap - but they do that all the time.

 

[bicycleshorts]

Also I think that a lot of British people who only support British drivers are doing it because Formula one is a sport, that is one of Britons best for doing well in.

I think everyone will agree with that.

I remember when England won the Rugby World Cup and suddenly the next day it was everyone at school's favourite sport.

 

[Ardius]

The British tend to have the same atittude when it comes to football.

......and other countries don't? I don't think its entirely fair to comment on our support of our driver seeing as you don't have your own commentary feed for us to complain about. I understand other people have had to endure our commentary rather than having their own and so they have gotten sick of hearing about our drivers but be honest, would you still think the same if it was for your own countries drivers/teams?

Of course you would and I don't like how you are saying that its "the british tend to do this". I find this rather offensive like we are the only ones guilty of being patriotic! I personally find my country to be pathetically un-patriotic with our rediculous strides to being politically correct all the time. When people finally do start being patriotic in sports and now we are being shot down for being overly patriotic?

I find it sad that my country regularly does away with its traditions and past just to accomodate those who feel like they are a minority and are being treated in some kind of racist sense, especially when one of our so called best traits is that we are multi-cultured. Surely expressing your support for your country is something that anyone who is raised there can join in? I don't see why people feel it is a racial thing, it is certainly not, it is a community thing.

But yes, I find it somewhat offensive to suggest we have some kind of problem with being too patriotic when it comes to our sporting heroes. Like Spain doesn't bother talking about Fernando Alonso....ya know

 

[Only_in_f1]

But that's in our culture. Everything has its Heroes and Villains be it for or against Britain.

Your telling me if Italy won the Rugby World Cup, there wouldn't be a sharp rise in interest and participation in the sport?

Of course patriotic people are going to support their home drivers, and I wouldn't expect anything else. I've been watching F1 since I can remember. I got up at god knows what hour to see Damon Hill win the world title. Many joined me in doing so. It was a massive event and many watched In support of Damon or just for the curiosity of will he wont he. I don't think its just something that happens in England. As much as I dislike the fact ITV/BBC are biased to certain drivers I can't say im surprised or disappointed.

Edit: Effectively what Ardius said above.

 

[Metar]

But Vettel is the greatest German since Michael Schumacher and Heidfeld is a brilliant driver who's winning-from-the-bottom and Nico is so great and unlucky and Sutil is brilliant and Glock and Vettel and Heidfeld and McLaren-Mercedes are half German and Toyota are half-German and Brawn are German-powered and Force India are German-powered and BMW are German and VETTEL IS SUCH A MAGIC GENIUS OMG GET ME A TISSUE.

That's how an average RTL broadcast goes. Five Germans and five somewhat-German-tied teams are more than they can handle.

 

[livemusic]

It's the same thing over here with Massa, Barrichelo, Piquet and every Brazilian driver who passed through F1 since Senna. The main commentator is annoying as hell, I actually muted the TV during the Barhain GP. I only like Luciano Burti, he's very clever on his comments. A better commentator than a driver actually.

 

[mu22stang]

Well at least you don't have to listen to Bob Varsha on Speed - it's excruciating. However, I do enjoy Steve Matchett, David Hobbs is pretty humurious, and Peter Windsor is excellent as well.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Good race for Kimi and Lewis. After the last race, they need to show that they're both the A-drivers for their respective teams.

Disagree on Kimi. Massa had better race pace with a malfunctioning KERS, so it seems like he was just cruising around out there.

 

[Peter]

Well at least you don't have to listen to Bob Varsha on Speed - it's excruciating. However, I do enjoy Steve Matchett, David Hobbs is pretty humurious, and Peter Windsor is excellent as well.

I don't have a problem with him, he's ok. But i do prefer the others though.

 

[MustangSVT]

Showing the winner on his final lap is something we get every race... Even though, from their comfortable leads, the winner is never quite interesting as those battling for positions behind them.

But indeed, I too was outraged when FOM cut from the amazing Raikkonen-Kovalainen battle at Fuji 2007 to show Hamilton crawling around safely for his final lap - but they do that all the time.

You are correct, it was Fuji 2007, but I believe the battle was Kubica - Massa. I think Kimi & Kovalainen did have a battle themselves (for 2nd place I think it was), but I'm pretty sure it's the Kubica/Massa one that was on the last lap.

 

[bicycleshorts]

Your telling me if Italy won the Rugby World Cup, there wouldn't be a sharp rise in interest and participation in the sport?

I haven't lived in Italy (or anywhere else for that matter), so I'm not about to make such a statement without a lot of evidence.

 

[Hyst]

I wasn't attacking Britain. I've been a member of pesfan.com (English soccer gaming site) for almost 3 years now and it's just something I picked up from the way they talk. It's almost implied, talking to an English soccer fan, that whatever team wins Euro or the World Cup 'stole' it from England, like they have a right to it. And it's similar to that in F1.

Trust me, I'm far from ignorant when it comes to enduring mindless patriotism. You're talking to a guy that can't go 10 channels without finding a hockey game, living in a country that loses its God damn mind every 4 years when the hockey team goes to the Olympics.

 

[niky]

......and other countries don't? I don't think its entirely fair to comment on our support of our driver seeing as you don't have your own commentary feed for us to complain about. I understand other people have had to endure our commentary rather than having their own and so they have gotten sick of hearing about our drivers but be honest, would you still think the same if it was for your own countries drivers/teams?

Of course you would and I don't like how you are saying that its "the british tend to do this". I find this rather offensive like we are the only ones guilty of being patriotic! I personally find my country to be pathetically un-patriotic with our rediculous strides to being politically correct all the time. When people finally do start being patriotic in sports and now we are being shot down for being overly patriotic?

I find it sad that my country regularly does away with its traditions and past just to accomodate those who feel like they are a minority and are being treated in some kind of racist sense, especially when one of our so called best traits is that we are multi-cultured. Surely expressing your support for your country is something that anyone who is raised there can join in? I don't see why people feel it is a racial thing, it is certainly not, it is a community thing.

But yes, I find it somewhat offensive to suggest we have some kind of problem with being too patriotic when it comes to our sporting heroes. Like Spain doesn't bother talking about Fernando Alonso....ya know

The spanish press, which gives Hamilton more airtime than any other driver besides Alonso... simply to bash him...

Every country is like that... and you'll only hear whinging here about the Brits beause it's the British commentary that goes out to the world.

Thankfully, though our commentators in Asia (on STAR) include one Brit, Steve Slater, they actually do a good job of covering all the teams.

Ask me about boxing. Ask me anything about boxing. I'm sick to death of hearing about boxing. And ever single decision in favor of the other fighter elicits the same response... "We wuz robbed."

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I think the problem of it is that while a bit of support for the home team is to be expected, it never really dawned on ITV that they weren't just broadcasting to England; a lot of English-speaking countries that may not have shared their sentiments towards Hamilton received it as well.

Although they're not the worst example of commentary I've ever heard ... they're close, but that dubious honour when to some American commentatos who instead of calling the race, were instead listing boy scout troops in the Philadelphia area for some bizarre reason.

 

[daan]

it never really dawned on ITV that they weren't just broadcasting to England;

It never does. Not just in F1 either.

 

[ExigeEvan]

It never does. Not just in F1 either.

Typical ITV beauty-of-British-Isles-style documentary...

"We live in such a beautuful country, from the chalk clifts of Dover, to the ruggedness of Cornwall, from the peaks of the Pennines to the bottom of the Thames."

Wut?

 

[Alex.]

Like Spain doesn't bother talking about Fernando Alonso....ya know

I watched this week's race in the Costa Del Sol, Every advert had Alonso in it, and every time he pulled out of the garage or was on any of the camera channels, the camera switched to him.

 

[Ardius]

I wasn't attacking Britain. I've been a member of pesfan.com (English soccer gaming site) for almost 3 years now and it's just something I picked up from the way they talk. It's almost implied, talking to an English soccer fan, that whatever team wins Euro or the World Cup 'stole' it from England, like they have a right to it. And it's similar to that in F1.

Trust me, I'm far from ignorant when it comes to enduring mindless patriotism. You're talking to a guy that can't go 10 channels without finding a hockey game, living in a country that loses its God damn mind every 4 years when the hockey team goes to the Olympics.

You should know better than to stereotype us all based on:
1. One sport's fans
2. An online site, especially because, as we all know, its not the best of places to find out people's real thoughts.

I'm amazed you don't see how stereotyping can be pretty offensive.

 

[MustangSVT]

I think the problem of it is that while a bit of support for the home team is to be expected, it never really dawned on ITV that they weren't just broadcasting to England; a lot of English-speaking countries that may not have shared their sentiments towards Hamilton received it as well.

Although they're not the worst example of commentary I've ever heard ... they're close, but that dubious honour when to some American commentatos who instead of calling the race, were instead listing boy scout troops in the Philadelphia area for some bizarre reason.

We get the british feed in canada (used to be the ITV, now the BBC one). I quite enjoy the commentary. At least they know what they're talking about. While the commentary might sometimes be talking a bit too good about british drivers, that doesn't bother me. At least they understand the sport.

Every time I watch a bit of ALMS (American Le Mans Series) or IndyCar on TV, the american commentators for those seem oblivious to what is actually happening. Those sports are pretty complex too, but the commentators don't seem to catch on too often as to what is going on. Part of the problem also with those series is that (especially in ALMS) there isn't that much competition or action going on due to endurance racing and small class sizes.

Anyway I'm thankful that I get the british commentary over here in addition to SpeedTV. I like the SpeedTV commentary more, but they stopped showing F1 on Speed-HD over here cause our canadian sports channel blacks them out.

 

[Dougboy]

I like the SpeedTV commentary more, but they stopped showing F1 on Speed-HD over here cause our canadian sports channel blacks them out.

Makes me 🤬 just thinking about it.

Those times when i tune in to watch the replays (because i dont like to wake up at 7:30, only to find its blacked out.

 

[Grand Prix]

Sooo, which Canadian channel is showing the races? TSN? I've been watching the races so far on the standard def SpeedTV channel, but would like to watch them in HD.

 

[daan]

Sooo, which Canadian channel is showing the races? TSN? I've been watching the races so far on the standard def SpeedTV channel, but would like to watch them in HD.

I believe F1 is not broadcast in HD, yet.

 

[Peter]

It is on BBC i think. How else do their videos look so good?

 

[Metar]

Nothing is HD until the FOM cameras film HD. They're not...

 

[MustangSVT]

Sooo, which Canadian channel is showing the races? TSN? I've been watching the races so far on the standard def SpeedTV channel, but would like to watch them in HD.

TSN-HD shows the race in a widescreen feed and it's a bit better quality than standard def channel. It's not actual "HD" quality, but it's considerably better looking than standard def on TSN or Speed-TV.

I watch the F1 practice on Speed-TV standard def (blacked out on HD), and then the quali on TSN-HD and the race I watch on TSN-HD and switch to SpeedTV standard def when commercials are on TSN-HD.

 

[Grand Prix]

TSN-HD shows the race in a widescreen feed and it's a bit better quality than standard def channel. It's not actual "HD" quality, but it's considerably better looking than standard def on TSN or Speed-TV.

I watch the F1 practice on Speed-TV standard def (blacked out on HD), and then the quali on TSN-HD and the race I watch on TSN-HD and switch to SpeedTV standard def when commercials are on TSN-HD.

Ok, that's cool. 👍

I'm surprised FOM cannot afford HD cameras yet, they're really coming down in price and size these days. They don't need RED film-quality cameras, just a bunch of Panasonics would suffice I think. But I'm not a broadcaster, LOL.

 

[MustangSVT]

Ok, that's cool. 👍

I'm surprised FOM cannot afford HD cameras yet, they're really coming down in price and size these days. They don't need RED film-quality cameras, just a bunch of Panasonics would suffice I think. But I'm not a broadcaster, LOL.

Yea it is very ironic that F1 is the highest spending sport out there (I believe that teams like McLaren and Ferrari spend more than the likes on Man Utd. and Chelsea every year), yet F1 still isn't broadcast in HD.

NASCAR has been broadcast in HD ever since I remember (2006 or possibly even earlier).

 

[NapoleonMikey]

a sport that prides its self on technology and they dont even have HD cameras. how sad