Formula 1 Commentating

[Kiril Varbanov]

Guys, you are just envy at Eddie Jordan, because he has a sixth sense of humor LOL
Joking aside, Brundle is excellent, so is Damon Hill.

[mx_tifoso]

Having the opportunity to watch races on Fox Sports Latin America a few times throughout the year, I really like them but the only downside is that they have horrible habit of speaking over the team radio. Then no one knows what was said, and thus can't translate it to the audience.

Speed is good too, but as I've said before, they tend to cater to the noob audience and it doesn't help you learn during the race. But I guess that's why I have F1T.

[MuseF1]

I'd have to say Humphries, DC, Brundle and Croft is the type of commentating i like.

Eddie's ok sometimes

I guess anything is better than James Allen!

[jordangp]

I've never really had an issue with commentating in F1, until I heard Edwards and Coulthard working together. Edwards is trying way too hard, and is all over the place, whereas Coulthard is much more mellow, and struggles to get a word in, even though he is the one, who provides a better overall look at the race. I didn't mind Ben Edwards, when he did the F1 season review videos, where it was nice and scripted for him, but I feel he is trying to fill the boots of Murray Walker, but to an extent that it makes me cringe when I hear him try.

I had a choice this year; Sky / BBC. I was going to watch BBC for all of their races, but due to this commentary line-up, I just can't stand it, and am going to have to stick to the monotonous Sky coverage.

[elf341]

Personally, I'll find it hard to forgive the BBC for sticking Jonathan Legard as lead commentator for the 2009 and 2010 season.
His constant and simple babbling about the immediately obvious I found quite annoying. Also he would make complete rookie mistakes like mixing up the front wing and the rear wing - who does that?!

Commentating should be done by race drivers, which was why I thought last year's combination of Brundle and Couthlard was almost perfect. Croft is very good, but he makes me cringe sometimes when he exclaims about particular driving aspects - such as particular lines that the drivers are taking - as I just think, "well, what would you know?" I want to hear it from a driver.

[roost89]

with regard to David Croft he was primarily a radio commentator where this information is gold. Especially when supplemented by Ant Davidson. I found it a perfect mix. They got on well, they'd mess around and you'd get better insight into how it was to drive the cars. His enthusiasm is great. He's not on the edge all race like Legard was. I don't think he's quite transitioned over to being joint #1 commentator on television yet though.
I find Brundle really quite dry and boring to listen to. He comes across, to me, like "been there, done that, got the t-shirt", don't get me wrong he's good but I don't feel he's as good as Crofty.

The new Sky presenters are beyond dull! My word, they come across like they know nothing of the sport. The male presenter is constantly checking with the camera/sound guy that the information he's putting across is correct. The female one doesn't seem to be interested in the sport and just hands over to Ant and then back to the main presenter during Ants "Skypad" section.

So far I've not heard the 2012 BBC commentary, both radio and TV. So I can't say on that front.

[Ian P.]

Unfortunately the only live coverage we get in Canada is on TSN.
This means Edwards abd Coultard. DC is great. Nothing bad to say about him.Edwards shouls stick to announcing Women's Soccer. His knowledge of F1 is totally lacking and the false entheusasm is downright annoying. Giv it up and go someplace else.
For the Malasian race, I held off watching the event live (2:00 am) and caught Speed coverage later in the day. Talk about the tension in the waiting proccess.... Well it was worth it. The coverage was far superior, even though the Speed team is watching the same TV feed I am, Steve M, David H and others are a good mix of driver insight, technical input and overall commentary.
Sorry Mr. Edwards .... maybe Curling is your sport.

[Giblet]

I haven't watched Speed TV for a couiple years, but they were all but live before.

Do they not cover the races anymore?

[SeijaKessen]

The Speed crew is pretty good. Varsha takes the role of explaining all the rules in case someone is viewing for the first time, but Hobbs and Matchett are both great bringing insight as well as a good sense of humor.

I agree with you. I love listening to the 3 of them...I just wish Speed didn't break for commercials at all. It's the most aggravating thing about watching F1 on there.

Do those guys go to the races at all, or is it just Buxton who is there?

[zmiles2]

As far as SPEED is concerned, Hobbs and Buxton are what keeps them going. Matchett does a solid job as well, but Varsha is almost embarrassing to watch. Granted, he does do a good job of explaining stuff to first-time viewers, but other than that he sounds like a first grade teacher. Hobbs throws in some humor and generally good commentary and Matchett, a former Ferrari mechanic is very technically savvy and does a good job as well. I personally love hearing Buxton's commentary on GP2 and I love the bits he puts in with his F1 commentary.
I'm sure most would think SPEED has very poor coverage but for American F1 coverage, they do the job very well.

[SeijaKessen]

As far as SPEED is concerned, Hobbs and Buxton are what keeps them going. Matchett does a solid job as well, but Varsha is almost embarrassing to watch. Granted, he does do a good job of explaining stuff to first-time viewers, but other than that he sounds like a first grade teacher. Hobbs throws in some humor and generally good commentary and Matchett, a former Ferrari mechanic is very technically savvy and does a good job as well. I personally love hearing Buxton's commentary on GP2 and I love the bits he puts in with his F1 commentary.
I'm sure most would think SPEED has very poor coverage but for American F1 coverage, they do the job very well.

I agree that Speed does a good job with what they have to work with.

A shame F1 isn't bigger here because I'd love to get uninterrupted race telecasts.

[thearmofbarlow]

I haven't watched Speed TV for a couiple years, but they were all but live before.

Do they not cover the races anymore?

Buxton is the only one at the race. Varsha, Hobbs, and Matchett call the race from Speed's broadcast facility here in the US. All they have to go on is the information we get from the world feed. Between BBC, Sky, and Speed... I'll take Speed all day every day. It's obvious they're up way past their bedtimes most races. Makes for some great TV.

[Mysticf1]

From what i've seen of SkyF1, i really like what they are doing. Was always a fan of Crofty and Davidson during FP sessions, adding Brundel to Crofty for races works well even if Cofty tends to get a little over excited at times. Damon Hill is also a great addition to the team, his comments are well thought out and always relevant.

The only gripes i have are, i do miss DC and Jake, Jake is VERY good at what he does..like someone said previously hes like a passionate fan. The chemistry between DC and Brundel was magic, was like sitting in on two mates watching the race.

And the biggest negative of Sky is Georgie Thompson. She just doesn't seem to be into it at all, gives a forced smile at the end of every segment and just shows no real enthusiasm or interest.

Sky are doing a great job and only 2 races in, thing will get better and better.

[Cold Fussion]

Brundle and DC were an excellent commentary team, easily the best team we've had in years. I would obviously never match James Hunt and Murray Walker, but it was much better than Brundle and Croft.

[NathanOlder]

From what i've seen of SkyF1, i really like what they are doing. Was always a fan of Crofty and Davidson during FP sessions, adding Brundel to Crofty for races works well even if Cofty tends to get a little over excited at times. Damon Hill is also a great addition to the team, his comments are well thought out and always relevant.

The only gripes i have are, i do miss DC and Jake, Jake is VERY good at what he does..like someone said previously hes like a passionate fan. The chemistry between DC and Brundel was magic, was like sitting in on two mates watching the race.

And the biggest negative of Sky is Georgie Thompson. She just doesn't seem to be into it at all, gives a forced smile at the end of every segment and just shows no real enthusiasm or interest.

Sky are doing a great job and only 2 races in, thing will get better and better.

well put, i think Jake is a miss. But it shows anyone can come into F1 from any background and do a good job. Too many people are saying only a few people on the sky team have worked in F1 before. But i think Sky took the best of the BBC team. Only maybe Jake was left out.

DC for me was always banging on about how great Red Bull are. I wonde rwhat he's saying on BBC now? Im too busy watching re runs and other F1 shows on Sky to bother about the BBC anymore.

Review of 1995 tonight on Sky