F1 TV coverage blackout July 31st?

[Sodemo]

Just read an article over on grandprix.com regarding the potential blackout in the UK come the end of July of F1 coverage due to its tobacco sponsorship.

Isn't this kind of worrying, is this going to blow over?

[James North]

I think it will blow over.

[luke]

I doubt this will happen. If it does, every member who contacts me via PM can have a tenner each.

[Adam43]

Noted, I'll put it towards my trip to Spa.

[Rich R]

i hope a solution can be found, but will the government want to be seen giving f1 more slack, especially after their previous dealings with bernie.

[Kicking-back]

I can near-to-guarantee you this will not be a problem.

[BootsOntheSide]

Way too early to be worrying about this, there's a lot of time left for it to be resolved. It's time the sport moved away from tobacco sponsorship, they'll lose all the classic Euroepan races if they do, and the newer circuits could only be successful in the shrot-term, especially as an anti-tobacco drive is overdue in these developing countries.

[ralf fan]

...and if we have another year like 2004 i dont think most people would mind...

and anyway i doubt this will not happen...

[Knowlesy]

If we have another year like 2004 we might black out in a coma!

[Adam43]

Yes missing the last half of 2004 wouldn't have been so bad.

Michael would have won all, but one race we saw that year and I wouldn't have minded missing the Brazilian GP, Japanese GP, Chinese GP, Italian GP, Belgian GP, German GP. Frankly I'd take one Hungary to have those five races.

Oh, point of the thread, it'll be alright.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

If we have another year like 2004 we might black out in a coma!

You could be right there Knowlesy,what date is the HungarianGP?

[Logrence]

McLaren have already arranged alternative sponsorship, I don't see why it should be a problem for any of the other teams.

[Knowlesy]

Adam, my comment was in jest. 2004 was by no means the worst year ever. It had its moments on reflection (several), something you could never say about 2002!

[Adam43]

I know knowlesy I realise you don't just come into F1 to bash Sometimes though it is good to be reminded that there is good in the world, lest we forget.

[luke]

2002 wasn't all that bad. At least Michael won the races by speed, not piting a lap later, then cruising home.
And there was exciting races.

[Knowlesy]

2002 qualifying was often exciting, I'll say that much.

[Kicking-back]

2004 had more exciting races than 2002.

[luke]

Part 2 yes.

[Rich R]

ferrari's advantage in 02 was much bigger than last year. at least they were pushed by other teams, especially when mclaren turned up with their b spec car.

[ralf fan]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

It had its moments on reflection (several), something you could never say about 2002!

Ralf's incredibly hard worked win at Malaysia by 20 odd secs was memorable.

[Knowlesy]

To a ralf fan, I can understand it being memorable.

To everyone else, it was probably down to the fact that the twoquickest drivers in that race had a first corner squabble. And one had an inexplicable penalty.

Why are we talking about 2002 again?

[Sodemo]

Brazil was the best race last year by far.

[Logrence]

The last interesting season was 1999...it's been downhill since then.

[Adam43]

We've wandered off topic here (probably my fault).

Will the TV coverage in europe be effected after 31st July?

[Knowlesy]

Most likely not.