Richard Hammond is new face of Formula 1

[InfernalVortex]

Originally Posted by lv2xlr8

Are they going to broadcast commercial free? I sure know that when I watch on SPEED there is a lot more than 5 commercials during the race.

I love the commentary team on SPEED, but the amount of commercials are just insane. It's a shame they have to sell that many commercial slots just to be able to afford to keep the races live.

[fbc]

Originally Posted by Salanax

I think Clarkson and Co commentating could be fine. Remember they do more than just Top Gear. Their documentaries, especially, have the right tone and presentation about them. As much as we think of the three as presenters of Top Gear we must remember they are very talented presenters in general, and so if they had the opportunity to commentate in F1 they would do so with the right style, tone and attitude.

I was just thinking the same thing. I've watched two of JC's Inventions That Changed The World today (yeah I'm slow), and it got me thinking about the other things he's done (particularly the one about the WWII raid on the German dock), and the shows the others have done, and I've changed my opinion somewhat.

I wouldn't want them commentating the races - for that we need proper commentators able to analyse what's going on and provide background - but the TG boys are certainly capable of doing some well-presented informative pieces.

[Ottobon]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

On the otherhand, the idea of Clarkson in the commentary box will probably kill the enjoyment of watching a proper F1 race without much biased comments.

Clarkson is extremely mature, he just doesn't act it. I'm sure if it was a career he chose to pursue seriously he would play by the rules just enough to keep people happy, but not so much as to be a bore, aka as he always has.

Personally I'd like to see this, "serious Jeremy" is arguably more entertaining then "slapstick Jeremy." I think anybody who has watched one of his documentaries can relate to what I'm saying.

[Indiana Jones]

Too much of anything can get a little old, I like the current amount of Top Gear presenter exposure (TG, Big Wine Adventure, Hammond and Clarkson's miniseries/documentaries).

I watch a lot of F1, and I just tend to think they aren't a great fit here. Commentating needs to be informative and fairly serious to properly follow the race. As for doing bits in the paddock and pits, the characters they will generally find are dry, boring and not funny. I don't see pompous F1 drivers with their serious attitudes joking around; they already seem tortured with the current interviews.

Sure F1 has a few characters, but not too many. I don't even see Jeremy, James and Richard enjoying this that much, although I obviously don't know them. Most things the TG crew touch will turn to gold, so why not wait for a really good fit than this stretch?

^^^And serious Jeremy is great btw, he presents really well and manages to be naturally funny at the same time. I watch all his stuff regardless.^^^

[Richmondgal]

They all may be great presenters, so they should be right for the F1 job. But would this be for UK viewers only?

[vegasrebel29]

Yes, yes it would be.
The solution to that?
Just one word: arrr.

[Jocó]

TG guys as the F1 commentary team? That wouldn't work. Especially - Hammond?

[Loz]

I dunno if i could see the TG Crew doing commentary, but i could see them, mainly Hammond, doing the job or Ryder or Blundell.

[vegasrebel29]

Actually, I get the feeling that Blundell may make the transition to the BBC.

[MadCow809]

First off, Hammond doesnt watch F1, so he knows fuck all about F1. Forget about commentating skills, Richard is lacking the knowledge of the sport, the pure basic of commentating on drivers' tactics, fuel strategy, race strategy... etc.. These all comes from experience, and currently there is no one better than Martin Brundle at doing this job.

Martin Brundle has been doing this for yonks, and his F1 history certainly plays a major role on analysing the current F1 races, this is the quality that both Clarkson and Hammond lacks. They are entertainers, they should stick to TV shows like TG and the occasional documentary specials.

Originally Posted by vegasrebel29

Actually, I get the feeling that Blundell may make the transition to the BBC.

well then... fingers crossed. I really want Brundle to stay.

[Blayde]

It would work, cos Clarkson knows how to be serious, and he wouldnt be Top Gear Clarkson. Same as Richard Hammond in that Disovery show

[MadCow809]

Originally Posted by Blayde

It would work, cos Clarkson knows how to be serious, and he wouldnt be Top Gear Clarkson. Same as Richard Hammond in that Disovery show

So somehow Hammond will just have to pick up years of F1 history and experience to start commentating.

He doesnt watch F1... So why would he be great at it?

[Blayde]

I never said he'd be GREAT at it, but then how do you pick up on racing? By being there, and soon he might just get into it, i learnt everything from watching F1 one year, Hammond can do the same, no one said he'll become a legendary reporter...

[Flynn]

"The Top Gear team should STAY AWAY from Formula 1 racing" in a statement issued by Flynn. He went on to say "They have no idea about Formula 1 racing infact they are comedians and such a pairing would be a disaster" no further comments were issued from Flynn.

[NooDle]

In theory this is a good idea but as Blayde said, I don't think any of the TG guys have enough F1/knowledge to make it interesting

it would be like "and here's a blue car, BMW or something, lapping a hideous green Honda sort of thing"

[Blayde]

A scathing scandal was just released as the alias "Flynn" was reported to know nothing himself about midengined cars, reporting Porsche as one of them (probably)

/sorry, just had to

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally Posted by AJ888

I'm a big fan of TG and a big fan of F1, but TG should not cross into F1. For starters only JC seems interested in the sport from the discussions they've had on the topic. Secondly, the enjoyment should come from the racing in F1, not the presenting talent and thirdly, how bad would their jokey style sound in the event of a serious accident.

Neither should Murray come back as a full time commentator but I'd love to see him do occasional features.

yeah murray, bless him, is the best motorsport commentator F1 ever had, but even when he was in the microphone hotseat he used to get things wrong and martin had to correct him. he's not as knowledgable as martin either.

still, he is much more entertaining to listen to, he could bring any race alive. but i think now we'd spend more time laughing at the mistakes, or trying to figure out what hes just said

i think that would get tiring over a season, but the odd guest commentary would surely be good enough.

also, hes getting on a bit is murray.... isnt he 88 or something now?

[essentialatom]

Originally Posted by fbc

I wouldn't want them commentating the races - for that we need proper commentators able to analyse what's going on and provide background - but the TG boys are certainly capable of doing some well-presented informative pieces.

Precisely my thoughts. I think that the influence of Top Gear on the coverage will be interesting and entertaining but for the race commentary I get the feeling that the presenters would be relatively ill-informed and useless. As much as I like them.

[otispunkmeyer]

i dont envisage that lot commentating

i see them maybe taking the place of steve rider and that other douche blundell...

or maybe hammond will take their place and may n clarkson will do pit walks or grid walks or going into garages to harass teams n such. i know they can all do serious presenting.... just look at their individual shows, all serious, all to the point, no messing. i reckon they could do that when theyre together as well.... i think they'll be able to grasp the fact that they are not the show, F1 is the show, and so they'll keep things sensible

[robybobey]

Maybe Hammond could just do what Brundle fails to do on every race day, which is to go and talk to the drivers and some celebs on the grid. I have to say though, Brundle got owned last Sunday on the grid haha.