The BBC have unveiled the details of their planned coverage for the 2009 F1 season, saying that their service will be ‘comprehensive’. The corporation took over the rights to screen the sport from ITV in a coup last year with the promise of 21st-century broadcasting, including interactive features. The BBC yesterday confirmed that all the races and qualifying sessions would be broadcast live.
‘BBC One will carry live coverage of all 17 Grands Prix and every qualifying session except that in Brazil, which will be shown on BBC Two,’ said a statement on the BBC website.
The BBC F1 team will be fronted by Jake Humphreys, with David Coulthard and ex-Jordan team boss Eddie Jordan as studio pundits. Award-winning commentator Martin Brundle, a refugee from ITV, joins seasoned sports commentator Jonathan Legard in the commentary box, while pitlane reporting is to be continued by other ex-ITV man Ted Kravitz. Commentating legend Murray Walker is said to be providing comment and analysis via the BBC website.
Interactive features include the ability to choose different video feeds, which means F1 viewers will be able to scroll through on-board cameras, leaderboards and main feed. The BBC’s ability to provide this depth of coverage is thought to be one of the main reasons why Bernie Ecclestone chose the corporation over ITV.
It is suspected that the BBC will also resurrect the theme music which characterised its F1 coverage in the late eighties to mid nineties, Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain.
