F1 on Channel 4
Discussion
The opening ten minutes with Tom Cruise and the three GT3s was the best Channel 4 (Whisper) production for years. The subtleties that the producers got in there... lines from Cruise about 'Not bad for a No.2 driver' and 'multi 21', and by the looks of things they gave him the PDK and the proper drivers the manuals. Obvs all a thinly disguised promo for the upcoming film, but entertaining nonetheless. Then their (the presenters') genuine chat about it, and that it was a 9 hour shoot!
I'm certainly not a Tom Cruise Fanboi, but for pure entertainment, that part of the show was mega! I might go and watch it again on catch up now...
I'm certainly not a Tom Cruise Fanboi, but for pure entertainment, that part of the show was mega! I might go and watch it again on catch up now...
catfood12 said:
The opening ten minutes with Tom Cruise and the three GT3s was the best Channel 4 (Whisper) production for years. The subtleties that the producers got in there... lines from Cruise about 'Not bad for a No.2 driver' and 'multi 21', and by the looks of things they gave him the PDK and the proper drivers the manuals. Obvs all a thinly disguised promo for the upcoming film, but entertaining nonetheless. Then their (the presenters') genuine chat about it, and that it was a 9 hour shoot!
I'm certainly not a Tom Cruise Fanboi, but for pure entertainment, that part of the show was mega! I might go and watch it again on catch up now...
I'm not I would describe them as subtleties but I certainly enjoyed it. As others have said, the C4 presenting crew are head and shoulders above Sky but I do find Steve Jones a bit annoying. I'm certainly not a Tom Cruise Fanboi, but for pure entertainment, that part of the show was mega! I might go and watch it again on catch up now...
The thing that I like is that they set out to make it an entertaining show, rather than just covering a sporting event.
One minor criticism was that by sucking up to their ex employer both DC and Mark did not present a balanced viewpoint of the incident. Trying to force Lando into apportioning the blame was out of order.
The stewards decision is final and they have way more data to work with than the pundits but they then feed the Troll that results in racist messages in social media.
One minor criticism was that by sucking up to their ex employer both DC and Mark did not present a balanced viewpoint of the incident. Trying to force Lando into apportioning the blame was out of order.
The stewards decision is final and they have way more data to work with than the pundits but they then feed the Troll that results in racist messages in social media.
The CH4 guys have way more charisma and expertise. Aside from Karun and JB, there is no comparison.
The Cruise piece was fun but when he had that slightly maniacal look on his face I kept remembering this and other similar moments that got a lot of coverage a few years ago.
(Scroll to 8:40 rather than endure the whole thing)
Obviously there was no sofa in the vicinity for him to jump over.
https://youtu.be/UFBZ_uAbxS0
The Cruise piece was fun but when he had that slightly maniacal look on his face I kept remembering this and other similar moments that got a lot of coverage a few years ago.
(Scroll to 8:40 rather than endure the whole thing)
Obviously there was no sofa in the vicinity for him to jump over.
https://youtu.be/UFBZ_uAbxS0
rdjohn said:
One minor criticism was that by sucking up to their ex employer both DC and Mark did not present a balanced viewpoint of the incident. Trying to force Lando into apportioning the blame was out of order.
I agree. otherwise they're very balanced.problem is not only does Grumpy Spice give a lot of air time to C4, they also regularly allow DC to drive the cars!
it's difficult, but they could step back rather than cross the line. Still, best coverage by far.
I was sooo relieved to see Billy monger wasn't on the C4 commentary team for this weekends F1 at Silverstone.
He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
TechBod said:
I was sooo relieved to see Billy monger wasn't on the C4 commentary team for this weekends F1 at Silverstone.
He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
The poor lad suffered a terrible life changing accident through no fault of his own, a car ahead had broken down on the racing line and his view was blocked by a car in front, he had no idea it was there!! He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
Despite his lack of top flight experience he is very knowledgable of the tracks, drivers and tactics. Good on the lad for making something of himself.
TechBod said:
I was sooo relieved to see Billy monger wasn't on the C4 commentary team for this weekends F1 at Silverstone.
He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
Bit harsh - he didn't see the car he hit as the other two were in the way, though the adulation he received seemed over the top considering we had soldiers returning from Afghanistan returning almost weekly with missing limbs, bHe is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...

And to be fair, many pundits are uber-fans rather than motor racing veterans - Murray Walker didn't drive an F1 car.
Personally, I think C4 F1 coverage would be greatly improved if they got Paddy and Flintoff on the presenting team...

Emeye said:
Bit harsh - he didn't see the car he hit as the other two were in the way, though the adulation he received seemed over the top considering we had soldiers returning from Afghanistan returning almost weekly with missing limbs, b
ks, half their face etc and no one seemed to blink an eyelid.
And to be fair, many pundits are uber-fans rather than motor racing veterans - Murray Walker didn't drive an F1 car.
Personally, I think C4 F1 coverage would be greatly improved if they got Paddy and Flintoff on the presenting team...
Murray in fact did try a McLaren once, great footage if you can find it!
And to be fair, many pundits are uber-fans rather than motor racing veterans - Murray Walker didn't drive an F1 car.
Personally, I think C4 F1 coverage would be greatly improved if they got Paddy and Flintoff on the presenting team...

Boom78 said:
TechBod said:
I was sooo relieved to see Billy monger wasn't on the C4 commentary team for this weekends F1 at Silverstone.
He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
The poor lad suffered a terrible life changing accident through no fault of his own, a car ahead had broken down on the racing line and his view was blocked by a car in front, he had no idea it was there!! He is obviously is a bright lad and has great determination, but I'm afraid, for me, it ends there.
He ran into the back of a car, two other drivers managed to avoid; and they were much closer than him too, and as a result, he unfortunately loses both legs in the incident, but after a staggering recovery (honestly, absolutely no pun intended), C4 employs him as a F1 commentator? Really? Based on the fact he crashes an F4 car and is badly injured as a result? Please... monger failed big style, whilst competing in his early stages of F4, the lowest level of single seat non cart racing.
Apart from a few UK racing tracks, he has never raced at any of the F1 world diary circuits in competition, apart from maybe Silverstone and Brands Hatch, but he delivers a commentary, criticising the F1 drivers skills on the world circuit, when he has never raced at any of them...
I know he is a fighter, and I cannot fault his determination and fund raising work, but was so pleased to see that we didn't have to listen to his wittering's based upon nothing apart from pure conjecture, what others might have told him, or what he has read in a book.
Webber is my favourite closely followed by Coulthard, with Jones learning all the time and bouncing off the other two for a really entertaining program... This weekends coverage with Cruise was pure magic... and so entertaining... CH4s got a winning formula!!
This weekends full CH4 coverage was brilliant... And thats because 2/3 of the team had years of F1 racing behind them... and the other third has personality!
BBC: Now, for a good Top Gear line up, you could do a lot worse than try these three...
Despite his lack of top flight experience he is very knowledgable of the tracks, drivers and tactics. Good on the lad for making something of himself.
Yes, the link between what he drove and F1 is tenuous at best - but he's got given a chance at a time when who knew/knows what his future will be? He's mature beyond his years and comes across very well.
Anyway!
I like the C4 coverage, think Billy adds to it when he's on - and i find Steve Jones absolutely annoying as hell. Not funny. Clearly still doesn't know much about the subject, cringyn awkward. Leigh McKenzie a much better presenter! She should be on all the time! Just have David and Mark on there, they've done it before and managed great.
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