Larry Herman

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I absolutely do not miss Bob Varsha. Lee Diffey is so much better in every way - knowledge, perception, professionalism. Even Hobbs seemed better behaved and actually offered inciteful comments. The broadcast was much better than last year.

Chads996

+1 - For being the 1st broadcast on NBC - I think they did a great job. The F1 Extra show was also good, imo. I think once these guys settle in, the races will get better. I enjoyed the fact that is was a constant belittling of the audience with "F1 lessons", like Varsha's constant DRS lesson or his KERS lesson... Instead there were tidbits at the start with small reminders throughout - but kept up with the race and notes about the teams, etc.

I enjoyed it much more. I am sure they will get even better as the season progresses.

C.

924RACR

Yeah, the sound mix-up was rather annoying, but it seemed like they got it sorted before the end of the race. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, that'll be part of the FOM/F1 feed, and so not even NBC's fault.

So far, not turned off or annoyed...

morganabowen

I miss Buxton walking around the paddocks, with a camera crew and speaking with different drivers, mechanics, and various team members. I hope they incorporate that back into their coverage of the rest of the 2013 season

multi21

+2. My feelings as well.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the picture in picture commercials ala Indy car. Made me actually not fast forward through the ads but don't know why they did it every other break. Pip needs to be bigger however.

Good first race for NBC . Was it me or did the picture and sound seem better than SPEED?

Chads996

I am wondering if they had a tech glitch. They got Buxton on Camera for the F1 Extra show. He had a full coat and mic with a NBC Sports logos...

C.

rlets

The pre-race stuff was broadcast but titled "Formula One Pre-Race" instead of "Formula One Racing" as the race, quali and practice shows. Buxton was okay. I still miss Peter Windsor for walking the starting grid. And I'm with you, Larry, in much preferring Lee Diffey to Bob "state the obvious" Varsha.

Pete, I was okay with the PnP too. Mute button instead of FFwd.

And it was an entertaining race!

Rich

rlets

Oh, and I watched 20 minutes of the Sebring coverage before turning if off. It was awful. They've "United" the worst aspects of the old Grand-Am coverage with the worst aspects of the old ALMS coverage. Way to go, Guys. Thanks to NBC for not bringing us that style of coverage for F1.

Rich

perfectlap

Probably why NBC Sports is not a basic cable channel. You won't get it with the basic package around these parts. Very annoying as Speed channel was a basic cable channel. I called my provider and they informed me that the package that would get me Formula Un (as Borat calls it) would cost me an additional $30 a month. I told them I would bounce to Verizon Fios as the equipment was already set up in my closet from before I moved in - which they easily verified by going on to Fios.com
So then $30 more a month becomes only $8 more. Decided not to push for $0 more since I'm going to bail anyway but wouldn't have had it set up in time for Oz GP.

This is a very stupid strategy by Bernie. You'll never get more people to watch F1 if its on a channel most don't pay up for and can't find on the remote.
And they botched the rebroacast scheduling for practice. DVR'd it came home and it was NY/NJ Redbulls match.

P.S.
This DRS crap is crap. When a Force India car is in the lead overtake that car on your own for crying out loud.

Chris M.

It was on my recording. I recorded everything from about 1am-5am Sunday that said F1 and it was in there.

I also don't miss Varsha or Peter Windsor. Diffey and Buxton do a great job.

fjpdds

No "Pinks" commercials...