Testing complete - 1 day till Free Practice 1 in Melbourne!

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Carlos
What's bad about rain? Now they have the chance to test in that situation.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it can only be a good thing for the rookies, they get to test an F1 car in the wet in a no pressure situation, so that they can be more confident when it rains during the season. The teams also get the benefit of discovering how their car works on wet conditions, although this may hurt Lotus and Sauber as they won't be able to test the rear wing stalling device (or double DRS as it is also known).
 
It's bad because they can't go flat out. It'll be good to test the tires, but will be a boring day overall, numbers really won't mean jack today.

OP updated, here's a look at day four, new Sky Sports and BBC live feed added:


_____________Day 4 _____________​

Test starts: 9am CET (8am GMT)
Test ends: 5pm CET (4pm GMT)

Drivers for the Day - February 22nd:
Red Bull - Mark Webber
McLaren - Jenson Button
Ferrari - Felipe Massa
Lotus - Romain Grosjean
Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton
Sauber - Esteban Gutiérrez
Force India - Jules Bianchi
Williams - AM: Pastor Maldonado PM: Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso - Jean-Eric Vergne
Caterham - Giedo van der Garde
Marussia - Luiz Razia Max Chilton
​


Day 4 live commentary (automatically archived):
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8515343/Barcelona-Day-Four-Live-

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/556

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21544410

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/f1-live/f1-fanatic-live-2013-testing-day-8-barcelona/

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/testresults/1535/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-22-february-2013/

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/100950.html

Day 4 results:
vwPeS5C.png


Notes:
- Light rain has been dropping sporadically all day during testing.
- Marussia has opted to run Chilton in place of the scheduled Razia claiming it's because Chilton is simply more consistent, which aids their program.
- Awesome picture of a cheeky Lotus team member snapping a picture of McLaren's rear: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BDpd1ZtCUAEKeQt.jpg
- Track was dry enough for slicks only momentarily in the morning, during which everyone set their fastest laps.
- Hamilton did his time on Mediums.

Video:

News stories:
McLaren having trouble with new car:
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns24854.html
Chilton happy to step in for Razia:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/22/chilton-happy-test-razia-sits-barcelona/
Nico Hulkenberg impressed by Lotus form:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105671
Jenson Button says tires are easier to understand with the new Pirellis:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105670
Rosberg sure Mercedes can be race winner:
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns24852.html
Hulkenberg changes shoes to better fit tight Sauber:
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns24851.html
Räikkönen's mindset in F1:
http://www.f1pulse.com/news/2013022254/this-is-not-hollywood---this-is-f1-reminds-raikkonen
Button: we need work:
http://badgergp.com/2013/02/jenson-button-testing-barcelona/
Webber: we're satisfied:
http://badgergp.com/2013/02/mark-webber-testing-rb9-barcelona/
Kimi: I'm no Jedi master:
http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/8513546/Raikkonen-I-m-no-Jedi-master
Button says he can avoid repeating his 2012 "dip" in performance with fairer tires:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/22/button-expects-avoid-2012-dip-fairer-tyres/
Day wrap up:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105679
Test 2 review:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/02/analysis-what-we-have-learned-from-barcelona-test/
Razia confirms sponsor's lack of payment kept him from racing in Barcelona last week:
http://www.autoportal.iol.pt/despor...nao-testou-em-barcelona-por-falta-de-dinheiro
https://twitter.com/IrvineF1/status/305763421582921728

Photo galleries:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/22/2013-f1-testing-day-8-pictures/

http://www.formula1onlive.com/2013/02/2013-f1-barcelona-testing-day-4-photos.html

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-photos/9216/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-22-february-2013/

That's a wrap on test 3!

See you next weekend for the last test at Barcelona before the season starts!

Here's the VivaF1 inforgraphic for test 2:
qsCKaAs.png

1doKlYP.png

FUvpvsf.png


Sky wrap up for day 4 test 2:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxpold_barcelona-test-1-day-4_auto#.USiTkW0ua6V

And Ted's Notebook:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx...ted-s-notebook-the-f1-show_sport#.USiWtG0ua6U
 
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Final test is here! Time to see some real times.

Snipped from the OP:

_____________Day 1 _____________​

Test starts: 9am CET (8am GMT)
Test ends: 5pm CET (4pm GMT)

Drivers for the Day - February 28th:

Red Bull - Mark Webber
Ferrari - Felipe Massa
McLaren - Sergio Pérez
Lotus - Romain Grosjean
Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton
Sauber - Esteban Gutiérrez
Force India - Paul di Resta
Williams - Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso - Jean-Éric Vergne
Caterham - Charles Pic
Marussia - Max Chilton
​

Day 1 live commentary (automatically archived):
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8528663/Barcelona-Day-One-Live-

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/557

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21612706

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/testresults/1536/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-28-february-2013/

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/f1-live/f1-fanatic-live-2013-testing-day-9-barcelona/

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/100950.html

Day 1 results:
KVKUMfG.png


Notes:
- Sutil confirmed as second driver for Force India.
- More rainy weather, should be lighter than it was in test 2.
- Cars will start running in Melbourne specifications with certain teams such as Red Bull coming out with their full package in this final test.
- Possibility that Marussia may drop Razia.
- The screws come off. Williams will not continue to use their exhaust vane solution after they convinced themselves it was illegal.
- Lotus had a spin early in testing, after a few hours work in the garage they decided to send out Grosjean for aero tests rather than speed runs.
- More rain for tomorrow.

Video:
Ted's mini-notebook day 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wbtFCcZ54c
News stories:

Final test preview:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/...pre-season-test-before-season-curtain-raiser/
Domenicali: I would be very surprised if the F138 was the quickest:
http://www.yallaf1.com/2013/02/26/domenicali-i-would-be-very-surprised-if-the-f138-was-the-quickest/
Perez: Everything is going in the right direction:
http://www.yallaf1.com/2013/02/27/perez-everything-is-going-in-the-right-direction/
Final test: teams under pressure:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105731
Button: Driving style may not matter with 2013 tires:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105737
Lotus play down engine mapping ruling:
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/291049/lotus-plays-down-fia-engine-map-ruling/
Morning wrap-up:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105752
Field closer than ever:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105740
Allison: Every team on the grid is shameless in copying developments…:
http://www.yallaf1.com/2013/02/28/a...he-grid-is-shameless-in-copying-developments/
Perez admits McLaren still needs more time to understand car:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105760
Webber weary of McLaren and Ferrari's potential:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/28/webber/
Day 1 driver reaction:
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8529861/Barca-Day-One-Driver-reaction
Day 1 wrap up:
http://www.yallaf1.com/2013/02/28/barcelona-day-1-webber-fastest-as-it-rains-again-in-spain/


Photo galleries:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/28/2013-f1-testing-day-9-pictures/

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-photos/9217/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-28-february-2013/

http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/gallery/12837/8528857/barca--day-one-pics
 
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I have to say, Wardez, you're doing an outstanding job delivering all these pretty graphs and map graphics to us. As well as the latest news, I take my hat off for you sir! 👍
 
Cheers! Thinking of trying race threads in this style as well >.>
<.<

A great motivation for me to keep on top of things really.

Lotus twitter reaction to Grosjean's testing spin:
ZiQNfgw.jpg


lolol, Lotus on top of the time sheets! Another gem from them, Facebook:
kqWPiCi.png


Ted's mini-notebook day 1:
 
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Great work here on this thread Wardez!!i only have to click here once a day to know everything!! :)

You are doing a top job,keep it up 👍👍👍



Spy.
 
I've just looked at the best time on the qualification in Montmelo last year and it was 1.21.707 for Hamilton.

So even if it's not empty tank, they already going pretty quick. Hamilton was also the only driver under 1.22 last year in qualification.

Last year qualification :


Position -------------- Team ------- Q1 Times - Q2 Times - Q3 Times -
01 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1.22.583 1.22.465 1.21.707
02 Pastor Maldonado Williams Renault 1.23.380 1.22.105 1.22.285
03 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1.23.276 1.22.862 1.22.302
04 Romain Grosjean Lotus Renault 1.23.248 1.22.667 1.22.424
05 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus Renault 1.23.406 1.22.856 1.22.487
06 Sergio Perez Sauber Ferrari 1.24.261 1.22.773 1.22.533
07 Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG 1.23.370 1.22.882 1.23.005
08 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Renault 1.23.850 1.22.884 -.—.---
09 Michael Schumacher Mercedes AMG 1.23.757 1.22.904 -.—.---
10 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber Ferrari 1.23.386 1.22.897 -.—.---
— ---------------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
11 Jenson Button McLaren Mercedes 1.23.510 1.22.944
12 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault 1.23.592 1.22.977
13 Paul di Resta Force India Mercedes 1.23.852 1.23.125
14 Nico Hulkenberg Force India Mercedes 1.23.720 1.23.177
15 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.24.362 1.23.265
16 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.23.906 1.23.442
17 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1.23.886 1.23.444
— ---------------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
18 Bruno Senna Williams Renault 1.24.981
19 Vitaly Petrov Caterham Renault 1.25.277
20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham Renault 1.25.507
21 Charles Pic Marussia Cosworth 1.26.582
22 Timo Glock Marussia Cosworth 1.27.032
23 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1 Cosworth 1.27.555
24 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1 Cosworth 1.31.122
 
Yeah, and what's really interesting is that they weren't allowed to use DRS anywhere but the front straight as per the new DRS rules this year, so they're quite quicker indeed.
 
Welcome to day 2! Gonna be another snoozer, but hopefully the slow action on the track promotes more interviews or interesting discussion out there. Check out the livestream for TV coverage from Sky Sports.

_____________Day 2 _____________​

Test starts: 9am CET (8am GMT)
Test ends: 5pm CET (4pm GMT)

Drivers for the Day - March 1st:

Red Bull - Sebastian Vettel
Ferrari - Fernando Alonso
McLaren - Jenson Button Sergio Pérez
Lotus - Romain Grosjean
Mercedes - Nico Rosberg
Sauber - Nico Hulkenberg Esteban Gutiérrez
Force India - TBC
Williams - Pastor Maldanado
Toro Rosso - Jean-Éric Vergne
Caterham - Giedo van der Garde
Marussia - Max Chilton
​

Day 2 live commentary (automatically archived):
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8530646/Barcelona-Day-Two-Live-

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/558

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21626992

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/testresults/1537/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-1-march-2013/

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/f1-live/f1-fanatic-live-2013-testing-day-10-barcelona/

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/100950.html

Day 2 results:


Notes:
- More rain!

Video:

News stories:
Drivers braced for wide open start to 2013 season:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105770
Perez anxious for dry running:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/02/28/perez-anxious-dry-running-melbourne/
Vergne happy with progress:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105766
Heikki may be first in line to replace Razia:
http://www.f1.co.uk/read-news/2013/6467/rumour-luiz-razia-out-heikki-kovalainen-in-at-marussia
Winter leaves F1 &#8216;unprepared&#8217; for 2013 season:
http://www.f1zone.net/news/winter-leaves-f1-unprepared-for-2013-season/17932/
Hamilton, McDonalds at Mercedes, I'm lovin' it:
http://www.pitpass.com/48465-Hamilton-Im-loving-it
Chinese and American drivers, Ma and Rossi, signed as Caterham reserves:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/3/14297.html?
Red Bull testing perspective:
http://www.redbullracing.com/cs/Sat......-well,-actually-just-wet.-021243323729922?
Caterham struggling for pace.

Photo galleries:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/03/01/2013-f1-testing-day-10-pictures/

Live stream:
http://www.vipbox.tv/motorsports/13...f1-testing:-barcelona-live-stream-online.html
 
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Just found this thread, some great work on the news/testing...

I live in the UK and was curious regards the 3D that Sky are involved with.
Ordered the rather expensive package erlier in the week to get the 3D and recorded the test today so will see how it looks on my 3D projector.

Wondering if others here in the UK or Sky ITALY also showing it have tasted it and your reactions? Bit annoyed however to find that it is not being used with onboard cameras on this test.

Their will be no races in 2013 according to this report but seems in the future it is very likely to happen.

Info here:
http://recombu.com/digital/news/skys-f1-3d-test-one-off-glimpse-of-exciting-future-video_M11245.html
 
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Nice day for proper testing :)

Mercedes flying! Lewis 1:20.817 on Mediums!
Hamilton's lap is faster than webber's pole lap of 2011, by a tenth when the had the full use of exhaust blowing

Here's day 3 from the OP:

_____________Day 3 _____________​

Test starts: 9am CET (8am GMT)
Test ends: 5pm CET (4pm GMT)

Drivers for the Day - March 2nd:

Red Bull - Mark Webber
Ferrari - Felipe Massa
McLaren - Sergio Pérez
Lotus - AM: Davide Valsecchi PM: Romain Grosjean
Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton
Sauber - Esteban Gutiérrez
Force India - Adrian Sutil
Williams - AM: Pastor Maldonado PM: Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso - Jean-Éric Vergne
Caterham - Giedo van der Garde
Marussia - Jules Bianchi
​

Day 3 live commentary (automatically archived):
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8532215/Barcelona-Day-Three-Live-

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/559

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21636430

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/testresults/1538/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-2-march-2013/

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/f1-live/f1-fanatic-live-2013-testing-day-11-barcelona/

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/100950.html

Day 3 results:
EQC8Mi8.png


Notes:
- First day of testing as an official Marussia driver: Bianchi
- Red Bull tests DRD system
- Sunny days!
- Kimi Räikkönen came down with food poisoning "Give me the fish, I know what I'm doing." So he's missing today's test. He was scheduled to take over for the final two days from Romain. Lotus's reserve, Italian Davide Valsecchi, will be taking over testing honors. First drive since the young drivers test in Abu Dhabi. Romain will drive after lunch to close out the day for the team.
- Hamilton first driver into the 20s on Mediums.
- Ferrari had a rim failure occur stopping Massa mid-lap

Video:
Massa wheel rim failure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGP2wV5k8qg

News stories:
Jules Bianchi Marussia drive:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21637919
Räikkönen misses scheduled test drive due to illness:
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/291164/raikkonen-misses-third-day-due-to-illness/
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/03/02/valssechi-replaces-raikkonen-penultimate-test/
Red Bull DRD:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105779
Bottas is Williams' next great hope:
http://www.yallaf1.com/2013/03/02/williams-we-hope-bottas-was-sent-from-heaven-to-drive-racing-cars/
Rosberg: Mercedes making real process:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105797
Alonso: Ferrari 200x better:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105786
Hamilton says he can win a race after setting impressive testing time:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105815
Day review:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105811

Photo galleries:
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-photos/9219/formula-1-test-at-circuit-de-catalunya-2-march-2013/

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/03/02/2013-f1-testing-day-11-pictures/
 
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Looks like Lewis is getting a much better deal than he intially thought regarding Mercedes. That kind of pace, you would think they are close to the other top teams, if not outright front-runners.
 
Yeah its pretty clear that car is drastically faster than last year. At Spain last year, you could use DRS anywhere during quali and Rosberg topped at a 1.23. Hamilton is already over 2 seconds faster than that and the track would be far more green and he was on a 7 lap stint so there's still at least a second to knock off from there!
The car is clearly a huge step forward.

They've been testing a new rear wing and a couple other elements in pieces, either they finally brought their package together or Lewis is finding something else.

And now he's gone out on Softs and hit a 1:20.558, wow.
 
Bear in mind the tyres are a different construction this year and also consider that last year all of the teams (including Caterham!) managed 1'22 laptimes in testing but when it came to the race weekend only the top teams could manage that pace.

Not to mention Sutil is up there on a 1'21 at the moment which puts things in perspective.
 
Does anyone know what actually happened to Massas car to cause the wheel to fly off?
tumblr_mj1okzSRxC1qfid38o1_250.gif

At the start of the GIF cycle it appears to be the wheel nut going across the top of the image into the astroturf.
 
Really pleased to see Lewis on form today, Impressive pace on the medium's also.. Well done Mercedes.. 👍 Go on Lewis!!! :D
 
Ardius
Bear in mind the tyres are a different construction this year and also consider that last year all of the teams (including Caterham!) managed 1'22 laptimes in testing but when it came to the race weekend only the top teams could manage that pace.

Not to mention Sutil is up there on a 1'21 at the moment which puts things in perspective.
Click to expand...

I'm not one to jump at testing numbers, but this case was different. He snapped it out, early morning, it was cold. The tires are softer, but they were only going to be around half a second quicker according to Pirelli. Also, Hards this year are as good as Mediums were last year, and the performance gap potential between the tires has gone up past half a second, compared to last year.

And he was definitely carrying a good amount of fuel that he could probably get rid of for another second on top of this.
 
It is hard to read into who is really fast or not due to top teams in general running too high fuel loads. I think all of them have got an estimation in their head they can do X time and hoping it will be good enough speed for coming races to be right at the front.

Mercedes looking quite strong though, Nico could go faster by quite a bit if grip on track ramps up as it probably was quite green on Day 3 of this test. One thing this test shows is how slow cars / tyres in 2011 and 2012 were at this race and also how regulations have been slowing down F1 a lot given in 2010, with no KERS or DRS, Mark did a time of 1:19.995 in qualifying around this track. Quite impressive this year they are finally starting to get that lost downforce back and maybe even tyre grip. Tyres are not working well after one fast lap though.
 
Wardez
I'm not one to jump at testing numbers, but this case was different. He snapped it out, early morning, it was cold. The tires are softer, but they were only going to be around half a second quicker according to Pirelli. Also, Hards this year are as good as Mediums were last year, and the performance gap potential between the tires has gone up past half a second, compared to last year.

And he was definitely carrying a good amount of fuel that he could probably get rid of for another second on top of this.
Click to expand...

I'll believe it when we get to qualifying for Melbourne. I'm pretty sure he wasn't running much fuel to set a laptime like that and I'm actually pointing out that the colder (hence, different) temperatures and conditions skew the results - colder can either be better or worse for some cars/tyres over others - but basically we aren't going to see many or any races in these conditions.

Like I said, last year Caterham set laptimes in the 1'22s in testing but could only manage 1'25s in for qualifying...
 
It was because the teams hadn't had the operating windows understood yet. If you get something like 80 laps you're gonna be able to tap into that sweet spot at some point. Now though, trying random things to get the tires working isn't an issue anymore with the 2013 Pirellis, so the teams will be able to show their cars' true potentials much more consistently. Should be much closer through out, which is awesome.

One thing to note about Caterham's lack of pace in the Spanish GP was that they had a problem with pollen and such on the track surface and teams all waited longer to go out. Less time for teams to get up to speed and get all the systems situated, so the guys at the back really fell back in the times.
 
Ardius
I'll believe it when we get to qualifying for Melbourne. I'm pretty sure he wasn't running much fuel to set a laptime like that and I'm actually pointing out that the colder (hence, different) temperatures and conditions skew the results - colder can either be better or worse for some cars/tyres over others - but basically we aren't going to see many or any races in these conditions.

Like I said, last year Caterham set laptimes in the 1'22s in testing but could only manage 1'25s in for qualifying...
Click to expand...

He ran several laps like that one after the other doing 5-7 after the fastest lap
 
Wardez
One thing to note about Caterham's lack of pace in the Spanish GP was that they had a problem with pollen and such on the track surface and teams all waited longer to go out. Less time for teams to get up to speed and get all the systems situated, so the guys at the back really fell back in the times.
Click to expand...

3 seconds is a bit more than not being ready. Thats what the 3 practice sessions are for!

LMSCorvetteGT2
He ran several laps like that one after the other doing 5-7 after the fastest lap
Click to expand...

So he had what 8, 9 laps of fuel then? To set those laptimes he can't exactly be running full can he?

Its more a case of we don't know what everyone else can do in those exact conditions.
 
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Final day of testing :'(

But just 2 weeks till game time, can't wait.

I updated the OP with the necessary info.

Here's a late upload of Ted's Notebook for day 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mel9c9jx8bg

And a stream archive of all the Sky coverage from day 3:
http://www.justin.tv/cubejam_05/videos

And a currently running stream of Sky's day 4 coverage!
http://www.justin.tv/cubejam_05#/w/5012604352

And Rosberg hits a '20.130 on Softs!

Alonso does '20.494, but on Super Softs, same tires Massa did his fastest lap with yesterday.
 
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yeah it kinda suck tho because the french tv that was broadcasting the fp 1 to 3 lost the right and now its a paytv that got f1 right and I dont even know if they gonna show fp. I'm glad the swiss tv still has the gp and the quali but the (yes he's alone) commentator kinda suck when Buemi is not around
 
yeah well the U.S. will be showing it on NBC sports network all but 4 races, and that means you need digital or premium package cable to watch the races. I wish Speed didn't lose the bid.
 
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