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FOM want to change the start time of European races

Published on 26 Jan 2018 16:39
16
By: Fergal Walsh

European races will start one hour later than previous years, according to Ziggo Sports commentator Olav Mol. While the formation lap used to get underway at 1 PM local time, it is now reported that Liberty Media has pushed start times so the Grands Prix will begin at 2 PM.

It is believed that the later start time will attract a larger viewing audience. Liberty Media's ideas were presented to broadcasters this week, which included such matters as the new starting time. It is also rumoured that Liberty is keen on races starting 10 minutes past the hour.

Bahrain is also set to become a full night race rather than start at twilight. In 2014, it went under the lights after previously been hosted during the day since its inception in 2004. Other ideas presented included different camera angles and static cameras to make the cars look faster and improved engine sound from repositioned on-board microphones, according to the BBC.

FOM will announce the final schedule with confirmed starting times next week. Liberty is also contemplating playing a soundtrack of music at occasional parts of the race, as well as a highlights reel to play at regular intervals during the live broadcast.

Fergal Walsh

JoeGreen84

Posts: 30

Are they intentionally trying to make the coverage terrible to watch so people turn off? Seriously music over certain parts of the race will ruin it even more, highlight reel is a utterly terrible idea.
And how about instead of making the cars LOOK faster and sound better, MAKE THEM FASTER and LO... [Read more]

2
Jan 26 2018 - 17:30

F1 News

Replies (16)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
There we have some actually good idea. Work on those will ya.
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- Jan 26 2018 - 17:14
- Bhurt
  
  Posts: 320
  What's good about them?
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  Jan 27 2018 - 12:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Starting the European races a little later is a good thing in my book, and pushing back the start 10 minutes will make it more consistent and reduces the risk of missing a start. I also like the considerations regarding camera angles and moving the mics so that we get more engine noise. Camera angles has already been rearranged during 2017, and so far nobody has complained, so I dont think changing them further to alter the feel of the cars will be bad. The latter options... It aint down my alley, but I dont think its likely that they implement those things.
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  Jan 27 2018 - 13:25
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Highlight reel would be terrible... NBC did it and its infuriating
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- Jan 26 2018 - 17:17
JoeGreen84

Posts: 30
Are they intentionally trying to make the coverage terrible to watch so people turn off? Seriously music over certain parts of the race will ruin it even more, highlight reel is a utterly terrible idea.
And how about instead of making the cars LOOK faster and sound better, MAKE THEM FASTER and LOUDER. Its what EVERYONE wants.
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- Jan 26 2018 - 17:30
- Bhurt
  
  Posts: 320
  Couldn't agree more.
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  Jan 27 2018 - 12:08
talktohenry

Posts: 362
Very impressed with Liberty they doing all the right stuff..........
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- Jan 26 2018 - 17:35
NSBiker

Posts: 18
Some good ideas ... 10 after the hour, later start time, but the others are just plain ridiculous.
One test that Liberty can do, since they are US based, is ask "How would this play in an NFL game.??" The Euro equivalent is "What would the response be if we interrupted coverage of the Euro Cup Soccer matches, to show a high-light reel."
If I were signing the cheques as a sponsor ..... get me out of here....
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- Jan 26 2018 - 18:44
- Pauli
  
  Posts: 140
  European equivalent would be Champions league football game (soccer is the football).
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  Jan 26 2018 - 21:40
xoya

Posts: 583
'merica! Fuck yeah!!!
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- Jan 26 2018 - 21:36
Barron

Posts: 625
This sounds suspiciously like an NFL template.. The later start is ok but hardly a game changer, but the music & highlight reel? This is turning into one of those High Concept movies..
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- Jan 27 2018 - 16:14
f1dave

Posts: 782
Start ten minutes later, really ? Can't the new generation of fans tell the time. It's all about where the big hand and little hand are. Liberty should have bought Formula E not F1.
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- Jan 27 2018 - 16:57
peter_c_ross

Posts: 2
Once again Bernie has benefited from the right deal at the right time (to the wrong people). This will be a disaster and will speed up the inevitable destruction of Formula 1.

We had a few good years.
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- Jan 28 2018 - 00:26
SPERX

Posts: 21
So, starting a race at 10 past the hour will mean fewer fans miss the start? Utterly pathetic hogwash. It is self evident that if you are going to fail to make an on the hour start you will fail 10 minutes later. But, those are 10 minutes of advertising time when people who have scheduled their day to watch the race are captures.

Sorry folks, but Liberty are proving to be an absolute disaster as they dumb down F1.
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- Jan 28 2018 - 09:31
kngrthr

Posts: 203
soundtrack? ??

Is this some crapy holywood movie
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- Jan 29 2018 - 20:44
Holland1953

Posts: 1
All answers as to WHY races start 10 minutes past the hour - instead of ON the hour have still not been answered satisfactorily. I guess that the timekeepers equipment - Rolex need ten minutes to warm up first. Cheap wind-up stuff went out with the Ark.
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- Apr 15 2018 - 21:17