29/07/2011
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
The Hungaroring was abuzz on Friday with talk of the BBC/Sky television deal. An early morning announcement caught most by surprise, not least the BBC crew themselves who only found out themselves late on Thursday.
As a story it dominated the day, the question being asked of anyone with an opinion being how the move is good for Formula One. With a large number of British journalists present there was no end to the debate over a story which has very little detail at this stage. More will come out in the days ahead however, if the reaction on Twitter is anything to go by there are a lot of people who will need a lot of convincing that this is a good thing.
Even Bernie Eccelstone wasn't safe, the diminutive Formula One ringmaster entering the circuit just before the second practice session got under way with a Police escort. Amusingly the road leading up to the circuit entrance is called Bernie Avenue, a little two-lane road which winds its way past a field and through some trees, keeping you in the dark as to where you're going until the Hungaroring circuit suddenly appears from nowhere.
The television deal made for an interesting press conference as a smattering of team bosses fronted an onslaught from the press. Jonathan Neale can probably walk away with a win having answered particularly diplomatically, though Eric Boullier's assertions that the Sky deal is a positive move for F1 didn't win him any fans in the British media.
Neale's comments on Turkey were equally diplomatic, raising a few smirks when he suggested that Formula One would miss its annual visit to Istanbul. The reality is the event was poorly supported and only made for interesting television thanks to Hermann Tilke's finest work to date. The departure from the calendar of the glorious Turn 8 is unfortunate, and Neale was correct when he suggested nobody likes to see races leave the dropped however, it is set to be replaced with what promises to be a hugely entertaining circuit State-side.
And that really got missed with all the Sky/BBC talk going on. The draft calendar which has appeared omitted Turkey and moved one or two other races around; Australia moves back to its traditional bookend position at the start of the year, while Brazil looks to be at the other end of the year with the United States Grand Prix squeezed in the weekend before. At twenty races it'll be a long season, but it still needs ratification by the FIA before it's gospel.
2011 has already been a long season and we're barely halfway through. The teams are eagerly awaiting the summer break, when at least one senior member of the paddock will quite possibly be buried under the bonnet of a classic car. Jenson Button plans to lay on a beach in Hawaii while the other drivers and team members have all sorts of plans for the break.
As for this weekend, it seems the form guide from the previous three races remains true, there seems to be less separating the teams this weekend than ever which sets us up nicely for an enthralling weekend of Grand Prix racing.
Hamilton has been full of confidence all weekend, one of the benefits of back to back races, while Alonso too seems quietly confident. The times suggest McLaren and Red Bull will be quickest, though it's always unwise to read too much in to practice times. If the weather continues to improve tomorrow as it did today Ferrari will most definitely be a factor come Sunday afternoon.