Speeds F1 Coverage Question

Correct me if I'm wrong but when Speed covers F1 races with Bob Varsha, Steve Matchett, and David Hobbs they are in the US calling the race correct and only Will Buxton is the only one at the race?

 

You're exactly right! They never attend the races, I've spoken to Bob Varsha about this in the past. It sucks for them!

 

Guess Speed doesn't want to foot the cost of them going. They never seem tired or sleepy during the race, guess they go to bed early.

 

Judging from the quality of the broadcast, I have to agree with Speed management. Other than short topic videos of the broadcast team in "around the track" locales, little if any value would be added if they were to travel to the event.

 

They will be in Austin.

 

Fixed it for you . I wouldn't pay for them either < he he>.

 

This subject came up in the Belgian race thread a while back, reposted from there;

'Tis very easy for us armchair QB's to criticize, but given their resources I don't think they do too badly.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Given how good the studio shows are the race day coverage is even more disappointing.

 

The problem is American TV attitudes, which is an industry/cultural problem.

They could just show SKY coverage with the guys in the studio for the pre-post stuff. That's what they do here (only exception is when they cover the OZ GP) but I don't think the Speed executives would have the balls lol

 

I know Bob pretty well, he lives here in Atlanta.

SPEED's studios are in Charlotte, and that is where they broadcast from. The main reason they dont go to the races is actually not Speed, but the FIA. FIA will not give accreditation to all the commentry team, as well as alow anyone else to broadcast the race. You have to use FIA / F-1 live feed, and the host country gets a live feed with folks on the ground. Otherwise you are alowed a pit lane person - unless ala BBC where you have a production deal with F-1.

The feed we see on TV is 5-6 min delay from real time. The guy's in the studio also get FIA feed for timing and scoring. I think Matchett skypes and does calls with some team personnel as well, but that is not regulated by F-1.

As for the team, there are some gaffs like any team, but as I;ve said many times before, the coverage is 100% better than anytime in the past.

I remember ESPN coverage in the 80's ( thirlled to have it ) but the feed was not clear, Jackie Steward & Bob, almost yelling to cover the races and Bisangano down in the pits... who I could not stand... he was terrible on camera... today is SO much better.

Since F-1 is more popular in Europe, it makes sense for BBC to spend the $$$ to have a deal with F-1, and then bigger coverage.

 

Yup, I agree with everyone here. Also, I'm just glad you guys also appreciate their coverage.

Over on the Subaru forums, the guys there are very harsh on the speed crew, even though I've seen the BBC guys make mistakes, etc.

Mike K

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

They come up with a couple of head-scratchers per race, but given all of that I think they get the job done. I haven't made the leap to Sky or VIP yet, so I guess it can't be that bad.

 

+1 on their efforts.

But, you gotta do the Speedy links if nothing else - I've learnt you've just gotta be a little
Patient and let the ads go away.... Their coverage continues.... Check it out now!

Horner not happy with the drive thru.......

 

does Bob still practice law?

 

Whoever is doing the closed captioning, though, can't even remotely keep up.

 

No - journalism mostly.... as far as I know... I'll ask him next time I see him, we are mostly talking about racing.

 

You have a loose definition of journalism.

 

Broadcasting??

 

Better.

No offense to Varsha who does a decent job on SPEED but is limited by the format and commercial considerations.

 

You call what he does 'journalism'? He's just a commentator. VERY different.

 

Didn't Varsha race himself many years ago? I seem to recall him mentioning a short F3 career in Italy in the 70s