What a really great race that was from Hungary. Jenson Button once again a cut above the rest in changeable/challenging weather conditions to win his 11th Grand Prix in his 200th Grand Prix start! Despite Vettel and Red Bull walking away with the championship this season has definitely been the most entertaining I can recall. Such a shame that the BBC don't feel it's worthy enough to be kept on for a full season despite viewing figures continuing to rise race by race. Still let's not dwell on that - roll on Belgium!

^ i agree, one of the most interesting races this season :) Well, Vettel only wins when the circumstances are good for him and this season he's kinda lucky, but he's not a half of the driver the J. Button is.

Death throes of Formula One on free to air in the UK are in full swing now. Sky gain access to all races, qualifying and practice sessions from next year onwards with the BBC showing only half the races live.

 

What a bad day for F1 fans in the UK. :(

 

It was on the cards, an expensive sport being catered for the money-loaded Sky Sports.

 

There is still motor-racing on free-to-air TV ;)

What a really great race that was from Hungary. Jenson Button once again a cut above the rest in changeable/challenging weather conditions to win his 11th Grand Prix in his 200th Grand Prix start! Despite Vettel and Red Bull walking away with the championship this season has definitely been the most entertaining I can recall. Such a shame that the BBC don't feel it's worthy enough to be kept on for a full season despite viewing figures continuing to rise race by race. Still let's not dwell on that - roll on Belgium!

 

I agree! It's been the most exciting in a long time. Great race today, I'm really made up for Button! Shame that Hamilton's race got ruined by the wrong strategy tough, could have been a double victory for McLaren.

 

I am hugely disappointed with the BBC's decision to stop showing every race. I watched nearly every race since 1996 and I don't think I'll be able to afford sky next year. :( Something similar happened in Switzerland, where the public broadcaster decided to stop showing F1 a couple of years ago but complaint letters from thousands of fans around the country caused the to reconsider their decision. I complained to the BBC, I doubt it's gonna help but I think the deal with Sky's wrong. Formula 1 is very popular in this country and the interest has probably increased in recent years with two British world champions currently driving in F1 and I think that the TV licence payers should be able to have a say in this.

 

F1 fans who live in the UK should sign this :)

 

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/keepf1onthebbc

I agree! It's been the most exciting in a long time. Great race today, I'm really made up for Button! Shame that Hamilton's race got ruined by the wrong strategy tough, could have been a double victory for McLaren.

 

I am hugely disappointed with the BBC's decision to stop showing every race. I watched nearly every race since 1996 and I don't think I'll be able to afford sky next year. :( Something similar happened in Switzerland, where the public broadcaster decided to stop showing F1 a couple of years ago but complaint letters from thousands of fans around the country caused the to reconsider their decision. I complained to the BBC, I doubt it's gonna help but I think the deal with Sky's wrong. Formula 1 is very popular in this country and the interest has probably increased in recent years with two British world champions currently driving in F1 and I think that the TV licence payers should be able to have a say in this.

 

F1 fans who live in the UK should sign this :)

 

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/keepf1onthebbc

 

The average viewing figures have really risen this year alone, purely on the basis that the Grand Prix's have been incredibly exciting to watch despite a German running away with the championship. Just think what the figures would be if a Briton was leading the championship and the races were this exciting.

 

If you have BT vision on freeview or something it'll cost you £30 a month for a Sky Sports subscription so you don't need Sky. It seems a lot still but not as bad as I thought.

 

If you have BT vision on freeview or something it'll cost you £30 a month for a Sky Sports subscription so you don't need Sky. It seems a lot still but not as bad as I thought.

 

Thanks, I'll look into it. I think we're gonna be with Virgin for the internet (not sure about TV) next year so I'll have to see if we can still get the BT deal. The internet's included in the rent so it was the landlords decision.

 

 

The BBC got back to me. I used to work as a customer service representative for an airline and our emails sounded exactly the same. I didn't expect a personal response off course, just wanted to let them know that I'm very unhappy with their decision.

 

Dear Miss --------

Thanks for contacting us regarding the BBC's rights to broadcast future seasons of 'Formula One'.

 

We understand you are unhappy that the BBC won't be showing all races in future seasons due to the sharing of broadcast rights with Sky.

 

We know that Formula 1 has an extremely passionate following in the UK and that some fans will be disappointed that not all races will be available exclusively live on the BBC from next season.

 

We are operating in a very tough financial climate and in common with all areas of the BBC, BBC Sport is having to make significant cost savings over the next few years in order to operate within the constraints of the licence fee settlement, therefore we have to make some difficult choices.

 

We believe this deal represents good value for money for licence fee payers. We retain live coverage of half of the race weekends and we will have extended highlights of the remaining races so we are pleased that all of the action from Formula 1 for the next seven seasons will remain on BBC television. Online coverage of the race weekends that we broadcast will remain the same, and we will carry all the news and reports from the rest of the season. Radio coverage will not change whilst the most popular races - the British Grand Prix, the Monaco Grand Prix and the final race of the season will continue to be broadcast live on BBC One.

 

We would like to assure you that we’ve registered your complaint on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are made available across the BBC.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.

 

www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

 

NB This is sent from an outgoing account only which is not monitored. You cannot reply to this email address but if necessary please contact us via our webform quoting any case number we provided.

Kind Regards

BBC Audience Services

 

 

 

 

Thanks, I'll look into it. I think we're gonna be with Virgin for the internet (not sure about TV) next year so I'll have to see if we can still get the BT deal. The internet's included in the rent so it was the landlords decision.

 

 

The BBC got back to me. I used to work as a customer service representative for an airline and our emails sounded exactly the same. I didn't expect a personal response off course, just wanted to let them know that I'm very unhappy with their decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typical PR bullshit from the BBC as usual. They clearly forget to mention the fact that despite making cuts to quality programming (and the BBC's F1 coverage is for me the highest quality sports programming I have ever watched) they are quite happy to spend £22 MILLION on a new reality tv show called The Voice. It beggars belief doesn't it.

 

p.s - BT Vision itself costs about 12 pound a month but it's a good deal as brand new films are relatively cheap to watch (couple of pounds some of them), as well as getting to watch some classic programmes from years gone by for free. There's a lot of other good things about it as well.

Typical PR bullshit from the BBC as usual. They clearly forget to mention the fact that despite making cuts to quality programming (and the BBC's F1 coverage is for me the highest quality sports programming I have ever watched) they are quite happy to spend £22 MILLION on a new reality tv show called The Voice. It beggars belief doesn't it.

 

p.s - BT Vision itself costs about 12 pound a month but it's a good deal as brand new films are relatively cheap to watch (couple of pounds some of them), as well as getting to watch some classic programmes from years gone by for free. There's a lot of other good things about it as well.

 

But isn't the Voice similar to the X Factor in having idiots phoning in to vote for their favourite act to keep them in?

But isn't the Voice similar to the X Factor in having idiots phoning in to vote for their favourite act to keep them in?

 

Yep. So was Fame Academy....and look what happened to that!

Tomorrow morning we'll probably see Seb Vettel crowned double world champion! Gets pole AGAIN even though he had no right to but for some pretty shoddy McLaren decision making on Lewis's side of the studio. Jenson did well though - just 9 thousandths of a second slower than Seb.

 

Go on and win the race Jenson! For someone who has shown immense dedication and love for the country of Japan particularly during the horrific earthquake and tsunami there earlier in the year, a win at Suzuka for Jenson would be a beautiful result.

Congrats Sebastian!

Congrats Seb Vettel, awesome race from Button (it's been a long year as a Webber fan, but he did alright today!)

Congrats :)

 

I reckon the Red Bull cars will dominate F1 for a good few years to come like Ferrari did at the start of the 00s

Congratulations to the youngest double world champion in f1 history! He's been so phenomenal this year. Only Schumacher in 2001, 2002 and 2004 has one season be so dominated. Luckily Vettel wasn't winning all his races nearly half a minute ahead of the field like Schumi did in his prime!

 

But how good was Jenson today?! His form this second half of the season has been superb and given equal equipment on the form he's been on lately he'll definitely have a good chance to add a second world title to his first one in 2009.

Jenson stands a good chance of winning the unofficial 2nd half table (the last 9 races)

Jenson stands a good chance of winning the unofficial 2nd half table (the last 9 races)

 

He does. He claimed that title in 2006 actually. There is no doubt that this year he's been driving better than he's ever done before.

Korean GP quali in a few hours. Best get to sleep, set my alarm for 6am to watch it. Fingers crossed for McLaren!

Bruno Senna follows in the footsteps of his great uncle to drive for Williams, the team Ayrton was driving for when he was sadly killed.

 

I totally respect Bruno and he's developing into a good driver but there's no doubting for me that this deal was concluded largely because he is bringing sponsorship money to the team. That is the only reason they are keeping the awful Pastor Maldonado in the team. And to think they could have had Sutil/Barrichello.

 

Sorry but I have never known such a weak line up for this once great team. I largely place the blame at Adam Parr, who is effectively running the team now in place of Sir Frank Williams. He has brought this outfit to rock bottom.

I have to admit, I really like the Sky F1 channel so far!

I have to admit, I really like the Sky F1 channel so far!

 

Don't own it and nor do I intent to go and buy it. Apart from Martin Brundle they don't really have any proper experts like in the vein of the BBC who have proper in the know men like James Allen. If it means having to get an online stream for the non BBC races then so be it.

Don't own it and nor do I intent to go and buy it. Apart from Martin Brundle they don't really have any proper experts like in the vein of the BBC who have proper in the know men like James Allen. If it means having to get an online stream for the non BBC races then so be it.

 

Fair enough! I prefer the BBC too but I'm quite impressed with Sky's coverage so far. They're showing every practice live as well which is brilliant. It's a lot of money but it will hopefully be worth it. Just don't wanna miss any races because the Internet connection's too slow/ not working properly.

What a turn up for the books we have here! I think everyone is stunned about how easily Red Bull were put in their place in the first qualifying session of the year. McLaren front row lock out with the excellent Grosjean behind and Schumacher starting 4th ahead of his team mate and the Red Bulls? The form book from last year has already been completely torn apart. This doesn't happen in f1 that much.

 

Also it's fitting that the most beautiful looking car is running the most beautifully. Of course if it wins tomorrow it will look even more beautiful McLaren, Jenson and Lewis must be really excited about what they've got this year.

 

This could be quite a year.

 

Dominant Button wins in Australia

 

McLaren's Jenson Button dominated the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton finished third. Button, who qualified second to his team-mate, beat him into the first corner and pulled away to win.

 

Hamilton lost second place to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel after an unlucky break with a safety car, and the German was able to hold him off. Red Bull's Mark Webber was fourth, ahead of the surprisingly quick Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. Williams driver Pastor Maldonado was on course to take a close sixth, but he lost control while chasing Alonso on the last lap and crashed at the Turn Seven kink. That handed sixth place to Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese won out in a seven-car fight to the flag.

 

In a chaotic final lap, Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, impressive on his return after two years in rallying, took seventh ahead of the second Sauber of Sergio Perez. The Toro Rosso of Daniel Ricciardo, Force India's Paul di Resta, Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne and the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg, who had been eighth until Maldonado's crash led to frantic place-swapping, followed.

 

Button was serenely unaware of the drama behind him - he was in a league of his own throughout the race after making a better start than Hamilton and passing him down the inside into Turn One. "As a team it really shows how important the winter is," said Button, who kicked off his 2009 championship-winning year with victory in Australia. We had a strong winter and qualifying really shows that. It's nice to come away with a win in the first race of the season. Every win means a lot to you."

 

Hamilton was slightly more than three seconds behind Button by the time of their first pit stops, which he made one lap later than Button. That meant he came out behind Perez and in the four laps it took Hamilton to pass the Mexican, Button extended his lead to more than 10 seconds.

 

Button held his lead at about that margin until they both made their second stops on lap 36, but a safety car deployed on the next lap to enable the recovery of the stranded Caterham of Vitaly Petrov cost Hamilton again. "It wasn't my day," said Hamilton, who started the race on pole. "I just have to keep my head down and my day will come."

 

Vettel was approaching the pit entry as the safety car signal was given. According to BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson, that meant he was able to continue at full speed to the pits, while Hamilton had to slow to the pace required of the drivers when a caution period is called.

 

The time gained meant the world champion exited the pits ahead of Hamilton and although the Englishman stayed within a second of the Red Bull until he began to drop back in the closing stages, possibly because he was struggling with high tyre wear. "Jenson was unbeatable, coming away with second was great - not a lot of people would have expected that after yesterday," said reigning world champion Vettel. "The car has a lot of potential, we just need to get on top of it and it will be very close with these guys."

 

Webber recovered strongly after a poor start at his home race left him in ninth place on the first lap. "Great showing by McLaren," said Anderson. "It was just unfortunate for Hamilton he got caught up in that safety car. "Red Bull obviously got their homework done after qualifying on the third row and have showed good race pace. And Ferrari will be encouraged by Alonso's performance."

 

Alonso drove a strong race after a disastrous qualifying session had left him in 12th place. The Ferrari had looked very hard to drive throughout the weekend but it showed a surprising turn of race pace. The Spaniard drove a feisty, consistent race and although he was not able to hang on to the McLarens and Red Bulls he was able to hold off Maldonado to take fifth until the Venezuelan crashed on the last lap.

 

Mercedes faded after a strong qualifying. Rosberg had run fourth in the early laps, just behind team-mate Michael Schumacher, who retired with gearbox failure on lap 11 while trying to fend off Vettel.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17419682

Didn't Raikkonen only spend 1 year in rallying and another year in American motor-racing?

Didn't Raikkonen only spend 1 year in rallying and another year in American motor-racing?

 

That's more or less correct. He spent last year sporadically racing in between rally and NASCAR world truck. Have to say it's a pleasure to have him back racing at the top again. I think he realised like all of us that he was wasted doing truck racing and rallying. Definitely one of the most exciting drivers of the past 20-25 years. He drove really well today on his comeback as well. Great to have him back.

 

As for Button, the guy seems to get better and better and better. It's been a pleasure to have watched his career from the teenage/early twenty year old rookie he was 11-12 years ago to now. A wonderful driver and I can only hope another world champion for him because that's what he deserves.