[corriffuniee]

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."

The press conference still took place afterwards:
Post-race press conference - Britain - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com

[jadabaad]

Add to this their almost non-existent internet presence at the time

Depends what you mean by it.

Broadband is easily affordable and cost effective these days not to mention its pretty much sacrilege not to have videos.

James Allen's and and Ted Kravitz's articles showed them in better light, especially the latter who wasn't the 'tea boy who got a lucky break'.

[corriffuniee]

Depends what you mean by it.

I mean that at the time their website was little more than a handful of articles and news stories with pretty much zero in the way of rich media - no highlights, no catchup, no live streaming, no timing, no alternative feeds. Much of that was down to the technology at the time and lack of demand - even the BBC was only dipping a toe in the water with multimedia content on their website.

[arriftell]

Remember it wasn't that long ago that Formula 1 itself didn't have a website. Formula1.com was a fan site and the only official information online was press releases and official results on the FIA website.

[RarensussyRen]

The press conference still took place afterwards:
Post-race press conference - Britain - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com

Thanks.
Promptly following the podium ceremony the local television coverage here cut away to air the Tour de France

[arriftell]

I don't think the BBC showed it either.

[Phassetus]

What exactly does this add to F1?

[Izzy]

I think above posts have said it all.

I have only watched F1 since the early 90's but have collection since the later 80s. So I can only speak first hand since then, but here goes.

I think F1 coverage has always evolved and improved.

I believe (correct me if i am wrong) that pre 1978 BBC only showed classic races, then in 1978 they decided to show every race and thus coverage improved.

BBC then got a bit complacent. Even into the 90's they didn't change much about their coverage.

And as bad a press as ITV get (taking out ads) they actually did an OK job. They bought in an hours pre show and although some articles on their shows was a bit bizzare, we got a wider picture of the upcoming race. Then they got Brundle down on the grid and we got to see a different angle on the F1 preparations.

They then got Steve Rider and Blundell down in the pitlane and paddock, which led to BBC and Sky doing the same.

Then BBC got the rights and now upped the game to a fantastic new level, no ads. A more detailed hours build up, and practice sessions (which to be fair ITV could really never broadcast in the early days. Only when ITV2,3 & 4 came around I suppose) live.

The BBC is pretty much as good as it could get. Sky have taken many of the ITV/BBC features on and do a similarly good job. The only thing Sky could do to give F1 a further boost (from their & Bernies point of view), was the F1 channel, where you get old races. Extra reaction and weekly updates.

All in all F1 can't get much better really. Other than all races back on BBC.

[Bill-Watson]

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

That would have been an awkward situation for any interviewer and the drivers

[jadabaad]

What exactly does this add to F1?

Raw emotion from the drivers.

In America they have the Winner's Circle.

Ironically, the broohaha over coverage of press conferences they're generally rather dull affairs rarely offer clues, emotion, insight.

But then for someone like Hamilton the press officers AKA PR hacks offers a check on the drivers.

[gactanync]

What exactly does this add to F1?

If you are watching at home: probably not.

The reaction of the crowd during those interviews was phenomenal. It was definitely better than televising a sanitised press conference.

I have been to a Formula 1 race and unless you are a VIP, the value for money is not a lot.

Anything that further satisfies the sport's paying audience within reason is a good thing.

[Ztcgtqvb]

I enjoy the fan/crowd interaction. Something about it makes it more endearing than press conferences. If I had known there would be the podium conference I would have stayed tuned to watch it.

[jadabaad]

Good ol' Niki Lauda: "A Spanish driver in an Italian car winning the German Grand Prix!"

[DumnEuronoumn]

I like them, and I thought both JYS, and Niki were very entertaining.

[Izzy]

Its good they found drivers who have alot of experience.

Wonder who will do it in Hungary???

Zsolt Baumgartner. Is my bet.

[DumnEuronoumn]

Stirling Moss could get up on the podium and tell them what pussies they are

[WebDocMan]

Good ol' Niki Lauda: "A Spanish driver in an Italian car winning the German Grand Prix!"

Alonso said "yeah, a Spanish driver in a Italian car designed by a Greek"

[viagracheapest]

Alonso said "yeah, a Spanish driver in a Italian car designed by a Greek"