But once the season gets underway, and they put up all the videos, replays, classics etc. It's the best IMO

That's the point I'm making - which is why they need a single Video page so no one is left asking where is FP1, where is Classic XYZ etc...

so you can re-watch last year's free practice sessions?

If you really wanted to. I only watched Australia because I thought it'd be pretty amusing to see what things were like 'way back then'.

With the help of someone another forum I put together a list :

You can see the list by clicking here

so you can re-watch last year's free practice sessions?

BBC Sport will have an extensive presence in Barcelona, with expert analysts Martin Brundle and David Coulthard, commentator Jonathan Legard, pit-lane reporters Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie and journalist Sarah Holt all attending.

They will all be feeding into our coverage on the BBC Sport website, which will include live text commentary on all four days and extensive end-of-day reports.

At the end of the test, on Monday next week, we will have video interviews with all the leading drivers, as well as analysis of what it all meant from Ted.

Anyone know if there is going to be a BBC season preview for the 2010 season, if so what date/ time?
Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, nope, just a repeat of the season review, though can't remember when exactly.

Glad they are letting Ted do some more reports, his ITV diaries were excellent. I wonder what Legard's role will be? The (very) few features he did outside the commentary box were actually alright.

Yeah, but not FP3s for some reason, they never put them up on the website. Anyone remember if there was a reason why?

EDIT: BBC are going to have quite a big team in Barcelona, sounds great! http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/20...reseason_s.html



Glad they are letting Ted do some more reports, his ITV diaries were excellent. I wonder what Legard's role will be? The (very) few features he did outside the commentary box were actually alright.

Ted did behind the scenes reports for BBC didn't he? They very interesting, too, often observing stuff most others didn't.

As for Legard, agreed, he's obviously a capable journalist, he did one or two features that were decent. Stick a script in front of him and an actual subject and he does alright. Ask him to improvise and to convey emotion to a listener and he falls to pieces.

Formula 1: The Bahrain Grand Prix Qualifying
Saturday 13 March
10.10am-12.30pm BBC ONE

After a four-month break, Formula 1 is back and this season promises to be a belter.

Jake Humphrey introduces coverage of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the year, live from Sakhir.

All eyes will be on Michael Schumacher, who makes his competitive return to Formula 1 with Mercedes after a three-year absence.

Reigning drivers' champion Jenson Button will also be looking to lay down a marker to his McLaren team-mate, Lewis Hamiltion, having joined in the close season.

Formula 1: The Bahrain Grand Prix
Sunday 14 March
11.00am-2.05pm BBC ONE

Jake Humphrey introduces live coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the new Formula 1 season.

Four months after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brought down the curtain on the 2009 season, Formula 1 returns to the Middle East. Jenson Button, making his McLaren debut, will be eager to repeat the scorching start he made last year, when six wins in the first seven races put him on the way to the drivers' title.

However, fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton will want to prove he is the man to beat, having ended last season as the man in form. But perhaps most intriguing of all is the return of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher. The German will line up for the Mercedes team in Bahrain at the age of 41. But can he still cut it at the top some three years after leaving the sport?

Formula 1: The Bahrain Grand Prix Highlights
Sunday 14 March
7.00-8.00pm BBC THREE

BBC Three brings viewers highlights of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the year.

Bahrain sees Michael Schumacher make his return to the sport after a three-year absence, while reigning champion Jenson Button makes his McLaren debut.

This weekend sees the start of the new Formula 1 Grand Prix racing season.

The 2010 season has all the ingredients for a thrilling season. Here, F1 legend-turned-award-winning commentator Martin Brundle tells Programme Information why.

"After 27 years of driving and commentating I still never tire of Formula 1. This will be a season of great rivalries as the back-to-back British world champions Lewis Hamilton (2008) and Jenson Button (2009) become team-mates at McLaren; there can be only one winner of that contest.

"Together, they face seven times world champion Michael Schumacher who, at 41, returns to race for Mercedes after three seasons away. I never imagined we'd see Schumacher versus Hamilton or indeed his beloved Ferrari team. A ban on race refuelling will turn the race strategies upside-down and test both the cars and drivers with heavy fuel loads. A new points system will reward winners and consistent drivers and, for the first time in 15 years, we will have 24 or more cars on the grid. I simply can't wait."

BBC pit lane reporter and all-round F1 aficionado Lee McKenzie explains the basics for anyone thinking of tuning in for the first time:

"Formula 1 has something for everyone: speed, danger, glamour, gorgeous guys and girls. It is the ultimate sports event, 19 times a year!"

She continues: "And a plus for me is that I don't have to wear a race suit so I am less likely to faint when the temperature nears 90 degrees!"

Her three top tips to following this season are:

1. Qualifying on the Saturday is often more exciting than the race, so don't think that by tuning in on Sunday you are saving the best till last!

2. This year, refuelling the car is banned – which takes an unknown element out of the race in terms of strategy.

3. There is always a twist in the world of F1 and although one driver can be leading comprehensively after the first handful of races, it inevitably will go down to the last couple of races of the year, creating tension, excitement, stress and drama, as always!"

With 19 races in the schedule across the globe there are many amazing race locations, but Lee's highlight is Monaco (13-16 May): "I love the glamour and history of Monaco. The winding streets create the world's most expensive rollercoaster and one centimetre can send you off the winning line and into the barriers at more than 100 miles per hour. In the meantime, the beautiful people sip champagne from the comfort of their yachts. You've got to love Monte Carlo!"

So, with all the glamour and the glitz, what is life really like behind the scenes?

"Well the previous answer about Monte Carlo is nothing like it is for me! I am usually chasing after drivers who have just crashed out during the race – I am sure that I am the last person they want to see. Interviewing winners is always easy! During the race I am in the pit lane or hunting out information so the people at home feel they are right there at the race with us."

This year's season finishes in November in Abu Dhabi.

Cool, can't wait.

DMN, is the BBC line up unchange?

The Leg and Martin as commentators, The Hump, Crazy Dave and Mad Eddie as pundits, with Big Ted and that useless Scottish lass as pit reporters?

The Hump

Thanks DMN.

Still no confirmation about red button coverage though?

BAHRAIN
Sakhir, 12-14 March, 2010

Friday 12 March
Practice one: 0655-0835, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1100-1230, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 13 March
Practice three: 0755-0855, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1100 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 14 March
Race: 1200 (coverage details to be finalised)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/7755219.stm

Note that TV coverage details will be 100% finalised next Wednesday, but shouldn't change a great deal compared to the provisional schedules.

Will the Beeb be doing a season preview at any point?

Not heard anything about a season preview.........last years season review will apparently be shown, but nothing about a season preview from what I've been able to find out.

I imagine the best material will be saved for the pre-qual and pre-race buildup hours (for one thing, unlike ITV, they don't seem to just repeat the same matarial both days. A better product but it's a bigger workload. )

I hope the updates on the site tonight turn out to be good considering the team they've got there. The live text was pretty disappointing IMO, it wasn't one of the usual live text commentators for F1 and it showed. I gave up on it after the morning and just stuck to Autosport and JAonF1.

I don't think the guy is at the track and is therefore relying on info from the BBC employees in Barcelona. I don't think its meant to be in depth - just something that keeps track of key events and not exactly a blow-by-blow of the day.

I wonder who the BBC have lined up if and when boxhead goes to DTM.

Fairy nuff. Would be a 'crazy' busy year for him in that case!!

I'm sure Crazy D wouldn't mind.

I'm sure, like Schumacher, he's bored of retirement already.

Crazy D..

Get a bit further down with the kids potmotr!

E-Jay Z?

Xtreme Ted?

The BBC should have a dedicated sport channel on Freeview/Sky/Cable

If Murdock's rag is correct, I wonder if it signals the loss of F1 after 2013.

That £300 million number is per year I'd imagine.

That's what it said in the article in the print version. Capping the amount spent on sports at 10% of the total license fee which is £3.6bn.


Also we had a talk today at uni from Helen Boaden, the head of BBC News, and when she was asked a question about this she said it's a leak, so there's a good chance it's all false.

I think its true myself.

F1 was I think about £200/250 million for 5 years - that's about £30 to £50 million a year. Way under the £300 million number.

thats £300m for sports as a whole not one sport, F1 is 10% of the budget so it is quite a lot, not "way under".