[corriffuniee]

Fantastic idea having the driver interviews on the podium. The public get to hear from the drivers, and there's actually some emotion on display rather than the sterile PR nonsense usually spouted in press conferences.

[arriftell]

This deserves it's own thread. Good idea? Should all the races be like this?

Certainly the delay between podium and press conference often means TV stations focus elsewhere. I especially remember ITV (boo hiss) hardly ever showing the press conference at all.

[Izzy]

At first I thought it was a bad idea, but once Sir Jackie had completed the questions and seeing the reaction of the crowd. I really thought it worked well. I don't think it will replace press confrence, which is as said above a team statement almost and more the media.

So that will stay, but I think for the fans at the trackside it is a good idea.


I dont know if this was a one off for the Britsh GP or its a wider idea thats going to be implemented all over?

[Izzy]

I especially remember ITV (boo hiss) hardly ever showing the press conference at all.

Yes when you think back on ITV days, what with ads and alot of pieces pre race about nothing. Then the lack of any coverage after the event. I don't how we used to stand it. We would pull our hair out if it went back to that.

The BBC is now the pinicle. But compared to ITV, Sky do a great job too.

[MondayBlues]

Great idea. BBC said that it's going to be the same at all of the races, as they've had the new podium built specifically for F1 so it'll travel around each of the races. I imagine they'll try and get a local driver/celebrity to do the interviews each time? Can't imagine Jackie Stewart wants to do the gig at all of the races!

[GentlieGant]

Winner circle interviews are status quo in the USA. Wonder when the FIA was going to pick up on it.

[corriffuniee]

It's a far better idea. Better for the fans, who get to see and hear the people they've queued up to watch; and better for viewers at home as we get to hear some actual emotion rather than the filtered version 15 minutes after the flag when the drivers have been briefed by their teams.

My only minor gripe about Silverstone's new podium was the way the flags appeared like the Countdown Conundrum, rather than being gracefully hoisted.

[arriftell]

Indeed, was going to mention the flags, if this is a standard podium now this is disappointing. IMO flags should be flown, not painted on a bit of plastic.

Interviews straight after the race are excellent, IMO. I know in American racing they literally push a microphone in their face the moment they exit the car, it's only recently there's been TV coverage of what happens on the way to the podium, used to be this was when commentators had to fill time until they appeared.

Same with the press conference, it does provide a neater package you know that you have the race, podium and interviews and then it's finished

[Bill-Watson]

It worked really well, and was far better than the post-race driver press conference which has become dull as dishwater.

I do wonder if future podium interviews will be conducted in the local language or english though.

[arriftell]

Press conferences are always in English first and AFAIK drivers interviewed in their own language after that. That may continue but it's not like there isn't ample opportunity after the race for interviews especially if they go straight to interviews after the podium rather than being in the press conference.

But I suppose it is an issue for broadcasters, they will likely have to provide a translation as it happens.

[Prererularl]

But I suppose it is an issue for broadcasters, they will likely have to provide a translation as it happens.

Translation? During the 17 or so years I've followed F1 on TV, the only translations I've heard are brief summaries after the English comments. Really don't see an issue with it. The "big" nations might have some problems tho.

[jadabaad]

This deserves it's own thread. Good idea? Should all the races be like this?

Certainly the delay between podium and press conference often means TV stations focus elsewhere. I especially remember ITV (boo hiss) hardly ever showing the press conference at all.

They made more of an effort than the BBC did.

IIRC it was the 1993/92 Belgian GP where they switched back to F1 coverage for the press conference only to find out it was being conducted in French and switched back to Grandstand studio! Bunch of amateurs!

And whilst ITV took F1 coverage to another level the consistency of post race TV coverage needed greater depth and quality.

[jadabaad]

Press conferences are always in English first and AFAIK drivers interviewed in their own language after that. That may continue but it's not like there isn't ample opportunity after the race for interviews especially if they go straight to interviews after the podium rather than being in the press conference.

But I suppose it is an issue for broadcasters, they will likely have to provide a translation as it happens.

I question whether someone like JYS would be good choice? Is he up there on the podium in a corporate role or as a journalist?

[arriftell]

Yes, of course up until 1996 when they lost the coverage to ITV, BBC's pre and post race coverage wasn't fantastic. In fact you'd never usually see any presenters on camera, they would normally just go straight to the world feed and Murray Walker saying "Welcome to a sunny Silverstone".

ITV stepped it up but they did introduce adverts during the race, and the awful awful studio at the track with Jim Rosenthal. It was certainly an attempt to try and have football style punditry in F1 where it just doesn't fit. It was much better when Rosenthal was given the boot and Steve Rider was brought in and they started presenting from the paddock, although PC Blundell left a lot to be desired.

Essentially the format the BBC and Sky are using at the moment is the one ITV finally established during the last few years of their coverage, but BBC and Sky put a lot more effort into it. But lets not forget all the times ITV showed the race, had an advert, 10 minutes of wrap up - with no official interviews and then went off to show a repeat of 60 Minute Makeover or something.

[arriftell]

I question whether someone like JYS would be good choice? Is he up there on the podium in a corporate role or as a journalist?

I think he was there in his capacity as three time World Champion and race winning team owner.

[Bill-Watson]

Here's the thing...Were these interviews primarily for the benefit of TV or the crowd at the circuit?

I can't see the German crowd at the next GP being too happy about interviews being conducted in English if it's the latter, and will all drivers be expected to be multilingual in future in case they're on the podium?

[RarensussyRen]

2012 FIA Sporting Regulations
Article 46.1

"The drivers finishing the race in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions and a representative of the winning
constructor must attend the prize‐giving ceremony on the podium and abide by the podium
procedure set out in Appendix 3 (except Monaco); and immediately thereafter make
themselves available for a period of one hour and 30 minutes for the purpose of television
unilateral interviews and the press conference in the media centre."

[jadabaad]

Yes, of course up until 1996 when they lost the coverage to ITV, BBC's pre and post race coverage wasn't fantastic. In fact you'd never usually see any presenters on camera, they would normally just go straight to the world feed and Murray Walker saying "Welcome to a sunny Silverstone".

ITV stepped it up but they did introduce adverts during the race, and the awful awful studio at the track with Jim Rosenthal. It was certainly an attempt to try and have football style punditry in F1 where it just doesn't fit. It was much better when Rosenthal was given the boot and Steve Rider was brought in and they started presenting from the paddock, although PC Blundell left a lot to be desired.

Essentially the format the BBC and Sky are using at the moment is the one ITV finally established during the last few years of their coverage, but BBC and Sky put a lot more effort into it. But lets not forget all the times ITV showed the race, had an advert, 10 minutes of wrap up - with no official interviews and then went off to show a repeat of 60 Minute Makeover or something.

I've still got taped races from the ITV era. In most instances it was about 3hrs and 10mins on a Sunday. If for whatever reason they couldn't show the press conference then at least they tried to grab interviews.

I think he was there in his capacity as three time World Champion and race winning team owner.

If it was say Austria 2001 & 2002 how would he/one have handled it?

His recent defence of his Bahraini buddies were not fully appreciative.

[arriftell]

You raise a good point however that now the interviewer is going to be known too, rather than just a disembodied voice.

[corriffuniee]

ITV certainly raised the standard of coverage from the previous BBC era, and on their day they were fairly good. Their scheduling often let them down though, and the slightest delay (safety cars, poor weather) would see them scurry away almost as the chequered flag was waving. It was doubly bad on early evening races because heaven forbid they delay their precious soaps. Add to this their almost non-existent internet presence at the time and the total lack of red-button facilities, and the BBC had a fairly easy act to follow.

Much as we moaned about adverts, and much as we moan about subscriptions now, it's probably a good thing that the coverage occasionally switches channels as it forces all concerned to raise standards.