OTT is regarded by Liberty Media as a significant future source of revenue, as it is for other sports, with fans paying the F1 organisation directly for what is supposed to be a premium service. However, many subscribers have received refunds after they struggled to access coverage of Baku on F1 TV, which was relaunched this year after hitting teething problems in 2018. “The issue that arose in Azerbaijan really was unexpected,” Carey said in a call with financial analysts. “That’s the nature of these platforms – I think you have to deal with it. And to some degree the unexpected is obviously always troubling. “The unexpected will occur occasionally, but I think we felt we’d made pretty good headway. We’re not far enough to say there won’t be another problem. “But the problems before that had been probably quite manageable. These things aren’t perfect, and it will probably take us another year to get all the small bugs out of it. But the significant glitch that we had … [Read more...] about F1 TV may need another year to iron out bugs
Total iron binding
The hurdles F1 needs to overcome on sprint race trials
After running effectively the same weekend format since knockout qualifying was introduced in 2006 - with the exception of elimination qualifying's two-race stint in 2016, and the two-day weekend at Imola last year - F1 is finally on the cusp of a major change in approach. It marks the culmination of years of discussions over possible format changes. F1 pushed for the introduction of a reverse grid qualifying race at certain events last year, only for Mercedes to block the move, fearing it went against the DNA of the series (and, no doubt, to protect its own advantage). The tightrope between entertainment and gimmicks was one F1 had to tread carefully when it came to possible format changes, but new CEO Stefano Domenicali quickly set out his stall. He made clear earlier this month that reverse grid plans were "over", but that sprint races were on the table for 2021. "We are thinking if this could be tested already this year," Domenicali said. "There are discussions going … [Read more...] about The hurdles F1 needs to overcome on sprint race trials
Ranked! Top 10 Mercedes F1 cars of all time
Mercedes has a remarkable history in grand prix racing. Aside from its recent domination of Formula 1, it has tended to set the pace whenever it has appeared at motorsport's pinnacle. Despite the fact that it has spent long periods away from GP racing , such is its strike rate that there are plenty of candidates for the 'greatest Mercedes' list. Read Also: The greatest Mercedes you've never heard of How Mercedes overcame latest F1 rules threat We've extended the usual remit beyond F1 to reflect Mercedes' long history in motorsport but used the usual criteria: level of success, innovation and importance, and 'X factor'. The fact that both the 1908 French GP-winning Mercedes and the double title-winning W10 of 2019 narrowly miss out on making our list underlines the quality of the machinery that has come out of Stuttgart (and the current F1 base in Brackley) - and the longevity of an automotive legend. 10: W165 Year: 1939 Titles: 0 Hermann … [Read more...] about Ranked! Top 10 Mercedes F1 cars of all time
The chief victim of Honda’s Super GT reshuffle
Along with Kosuke Matsuura, 2010 champion Takashi Kogure was dropped off Honda’s driver roster, the two making way for Formula 2 race winner Tadasuke Makino and Super Formula convert Narain Karthikeyan.But while Matsuura was given a berth by Honda in the GT300 category, Kogure was booted entirely from Super GT - which came as something of a surprise when you consider his glittering CV.Kogure first caught the attention of Honda in 2002, when he dominated the All-Japan F3 series with 11 wins in 20 races. More impressively, he scored a podium on his Macau GP debut the same year, in a field featuring the likes of future Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen, Supercars champion James Courtney and Ford WEC regular Olivier Pla. That convinced Honda to promote him to Formula Nippon - the forerunner to the present-day Super Formula series - with Nakajima Racing, and in 2004 he picked up his first race win at Suzuka.Six more victories would follow in a career spanning over a decade and … [Read more...] about The chief victim of Honda’s Super GT reshuffle
De Oliveira splits with Nissan after 13 Super GT seasons
De Oliveira made his Super GT debut with Nissan in 2006 after winning the previous year’s Japanese F3 title. During stints with Hasemi, Kondo and Impul, the Brazilian driver scored a total of nine wins in the premier GT500 category and came within five points of securing the 2015 title when he was paired alongside Hironobu Yasuda. De Oliveira’s affiliation with Nissan also led him to drive for Kondo and Impul in Super Formula for a decade between 2007 and ‘16. His 2010 title triumph remains the last for a driver backed by Nissan in Super Formula, where the Yokohama-based manufacturer doesn’t have a direct presence. “After 13 years racing for Nissan in Super GT, it is time to end this chapter,” de Oliveira announced on Twitter.“So many incredible memories were made and friendships that will last a lifetime. I will cherish the rewards, take the positives with me and focus on starting the next chapter now.“2019 has already started and I … [Read more...] about De Oliveira splits with Nissan after 13 Super GT seasons