BBC 2011 F1 Coverage round-up - What's new?

BBC 2011 F1 Coverage round-up

The BBC finally announced the changes to their coverage a fortnight ago; after all of the speculation we all expected changes but what is actually in store for us come the season opener in the deserts of Sakhir?

F1 finally makes the jump to HD

Formula 1 will be broadcast on the BBC in high definition for the first time this season, the highly anticipated move came after FOM confirmed all broadcasters would receive a high definition feed for the upcoming season. F1 in HD is something fans have craved for and we are finally going to see F1 in its fullest, I’m sure tracks like Monaco and Singapore will really show why the switch was worth it; also any wet race will look spectacular, it really will add something to the 2011 coverage.

Pinkham joins 5Live team

While lead commentator David Croft and co-commentator Anthony Davidson are retained for the 2011 season, Natalie Pinkham takes over the role of pitlane reporter from Holly Samos; who left F1 to spend more time with her family. Pinkham brings quite a vast range of experience to the 5Live team, previously presenting the Isle of Man TT, Masters Tennis and NFL.

F1 is a totally different sport and she will have to settle in quickly and make a good impression, or as we saw with Jonathan Legard – it could all end in tears. 5Live will still provide live commentary throughout the whole season - including coverage of practice sessions on the BBC red button.

Legard out of the commentary box, Coulthard in

Highly criticised commentator Jonathan Legard will no longer be a part of the BBC F1 commentary team for 2011 – Martin Brundle will replace him in the lead commentary role, stepping up from co-commentator, the role he filled for over a decade. David Coulthard takes over Martin’s old position as the analyst and will dovetail his new commentating duties with his ongoing punditry role.

Legard was heavily criticised throughout the 2009 and 2010 seasons and it seems the BBC finally listened to the fans, although their choice to place Brundle as lead commentator and put Coulthard alongside him has been questioned by many.

Brundle will have to adjust to the new role as soon as possible, being the lead commentator is a massive change from his old role; he will now have to paint the picture of a race to viewers   where he previously acted as the analyst, providing comments when only necessary.

Brundle confirmed he would only be able to do about half of his famous grid walks, as he will need to be in the commentary box in time to introduce the race – something that just not would be possible at certain tracks.

The BBC are taking a huge risk with their commentary shake up, and while it will take a good few races to form a solid opinion on the new partnership, we’ll hear it first on March 12th in qualifying for Round 1 of the 2011 championship in Bahrain.

Find Bahrain Grand Prix tickets as well as all the other 2011 Grand Prix in our F1 ticket section.

Posted by Alex Cooper. Follow me on twitter @acooperf1

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