Sky Confirm Their F1 Commentary Team

It’s looking good. David Croft commentates with a very natural rhythm and his rapport with Anthony Davidson made the coverage of the practice sessions this year. Ted Kravitz is a knowledgable guy who also has a very natural and calm way of adding to the commentary. Of course, Mr Brundle needs no introduction.

The only two I’m not sure about are Natalie Pinkham and Steve Rider. I don’t feel that Pinkham adds anything and mostly just annoys me with her ‘one of the gang but I’m a girl’ thing. And Steve Rider is about as wooden as they come.

But overall, a great line-up. Quite how it’ll fair with the BBC team is yet to be seen but, as Martin Brundle has said, the fact that there are now two broadcasters who’ll be screening the 2012 F1 season can only be good for fans.

F1 Drivers Develop Perfect English In Their Press Releases

This is Pastor Maldonado, a Venezuelan, talking naturally:

This is the same guy in the official press release announcing that he will be staying with Williams in 2012:

“This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop. I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula One.”

Perfect English and nice use of the phrase “bear fruit”.

(Just a bit of fun, you understand. I’m perfectly aware that all press release content is generated by one person — the team’s Press Officer.)

First Williams, Now McLaren

Joe Saward reports that Auto Motor und Sport are running a story about McLaren trying to arrange an engine deal with Honda. The deal would see McLaren use a Honda V6 turbo from 2014 onwards.

First Williams Renault, now (apparently) McLaren Honda.

All aboard the retro bus!

He’d Make A Good Politician, No?

Luca di Montezemelo, Sunday November 6th:

“If Formula 1 still wants Ferrari it must change and go back to being at the cutting edge of research, while always keeping an eye on costs.”

Ferrari, Monday November 7th:

“Montezemolo’s observations were seen by some as a sort of ultimatum or even a threat to leave Formula 1, but the Whisperer can assure you that it was nothing of the kind”

Team Name Changes Formally Approved by the FIA

The FIA has formally agreed to Lotus, Renault & Virgin changing their team names for 2012.

This isn’t just about team names, it’s about chassis names. Teams can call themselves anything they want from year to year (within reason, of course) but they cannot rename their chassis unless the majority of the teams and the FIA approve. If a team does rename their chassis without this approval, they’re deemed to be a new entry into the championship and so lose the previous season’s prize money.

So next year’s Lotus will be a Caterham, next year’s Renault will be a Lotus and next year’s Virgin will be a Marussia.

All clear? Good.

Chandhok will not be driving the Lotus this weekend

Karun Chandhok will not be racing in the inaugural Indian GP this weekend.

Surprising, yes, but entirely logical. Team boss Tony Fernandes:

“It is absolutely vital that we secure tenth place in 2011 to give us the platform to keep growing and despite the fact that Karun’s performance levels have continued to improve every time he has driven for us in 2011, it was considered too much pressure to put on Karun to drive in his first home race, deal with all the attention he would have had and be able to perform at the same level as either of our regular race drivers over the whole weekend.”

Chandhok — and his compatriot Karthikeyan — will be under intense scrutiny this weekend. It’s a sensible, if not altogether popular, decision from Team Lotus.

What F1 Drivers See

Lucas di Grassi wearing a camera mounted to his helmet.

Only half the F1 races in 2012 will be broadcast free-to-air

The BBC will only be broadcasting half the races in the 2012 F1 season after Sky were awarded the rights to broadcast every 2012 practice session, qualifying session and race live.

This has been on the cards for some time, what with all the recent hullabaloo the teams were making about F1 remaining on free-to-air television.

The first — somewhat soft — step from Mr E towards getting you to pay for your F1 viewing.

Eddie Jordan, Michael Schumacher & Mercedes Grand Prix

Eddie Jordan thinks that Michael Schumacher will drive for the Mercedes Grand Prix team in 2010.

Jordan says that “there’s no downside” for Michael Schumacher.

I have to agree with Joe Saward on this one — can’t see it happening.

Badoer Blinkered?

Luca Badoer has come out and said that all the negative press he received for his poor drives in Valencia and Spa contributed to Ferrari replacing him with Giancarlo Fisichella.

“The media played a fundamental role in the decision to replace me.”

By reporting on your woeful performances, yes. F1 has always been a piranha club — if you’re not quick enough, you’re out. The list of drivers who don’t make the cut is huge — this season we’ve had Nelson Piquet and Sebastian Bourdais shown the door for poor performances.

Badoer goes on to say that, had Ferrari given him one more race, he’d have been on the pace.

“Maranello had faith in me. I only have one regret – from the third grand prix I would have done better.”

I remember hearing something similar after Valencia. Maranello obviously lost that faith.

(As an aside, I’m pleased that Fisichella will finally get to drive a Ferrari in F1. It’s long been his dream and the deal he’s got — racing for the final five races, then test & reserve driver next year — sounds great. Seeing him in the Ferrari kit brings back memories of seeing Alesi in the Jordan in 2001. It just felt right, you know? Anyway. Forza Fisi.)