Formula One coverage in the UK switched back to the BBC last season after a 12-year absence, where it was fronted by Jake Humphrey. Autocar recently caught up with Humphrey to hear his thoughts on the upcoming F1 season, including the return of Michael Schumacher and who he thinks will win the title.
Themes for the season
“As interesting as all of last year’s politics were, I think we’re all looking forward to some stability this year. F1 has never been stronger in terms of drivers, so it has to now capitalise on this. It will be interesting to see how the Jean Todt era at the FIA starts, too.
“F1 is going to have its green credentials questioned by the wider world soon and this is a subject the sport can really take the lead on, but isn’t doing yet. FOTA has shown really unity, and can continue to do so on issues like this.
“But the real success story is going to be Q3. Drivers will be running as light as possible, so the weight variant is going to be taken out and we’ll see some stunning lap times and battles at the end of qualifying sessions.”
See behind the scenes pictures from the BBC's 2009 coverage
Michael Schumacher’s comeback
“The real story before the season – and throughout the season - is Michael Schumacher’s comeback. If he wins the title, he will be known for beating the finest crop of drivers for decades, but he’s too tough and too experienced to be phased by any pressure.
“Ross Brawn told me that he had forgotten just how committed Michael was. He’s up for going up against this new crop of young and talented drivers for the first time.
“It’s going to be a real badge of honour for these guys if they beat Michael. If he’s wheel to wheel with Lewis or Vettel, who’s going to lift first? That’s going to be fascinating.”
Lessons from last season
“The F1 2009 season will go down as an abnormality. We had the biggest rules changes for a decade and most of the grid struggled to deal with the double diffuser issue. The second half of the season – which Red Bull won – is the only place that can be relied on for looking at form going into this season.”
New teams
“Lotus and Virgin give F1 a moral high ground. They’re being run openly and on strict budgets and that’s important in showing the sport isn’t completely out of touch with reality.
“For any of the new teams to be on the grid is a great achievement. Lotus coming back is a real success story, too, although it will be working hard to ensure it can live up to its historic name.
“Lotus also has the benefit of two race-winning drivers in Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen. Heikki has a real point to prove after McLaren and Jarno has every right to feel he has earned a place at the front of the grid by now. His qualifying pace will be a real aid to the team in showing the car’s true pace."
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Re: BBC's Jake Humphrey on F1 2010
Given the money spent on the current deal the should make BBC HD come on early for the races this is by far there flagship show and as much as the dont produce the shows im sure there are hd feeds all over the world for F1 its a joke that we dont get to view see it
Re: BBC's Jake Humphrey on F1 2010
It's not down to the BBC. They only broadcast one race out of the season. Even if all of the races were broadcast in HD, you'd only be able to watch the Brazillian GP in HD (live), since the BBC only broadcast in HD after 7.00pm...and then you'd miss the warm up lap due to an obligatory 60-second news belch.
Pretty much down to FOM and all of the broadcasters banging heads and sorting something out...it will be down to money. This is a problem for the BBC. At the end of their current deal (2014) it is possible that F1 will not remain on the BBC due to sports rights spending being capped at £300million per annum, following the stratiegic review. Their current deal is only a tenth of that, but a HD deal will be higher, and that reduced budget still has to cover the once-every-four-years biggies.
Re: BBC's Jake Humphrey on F1 2010
we need answer
Plz Autocar ask bbc when we are getting HD F1