Near the end of the 2010 season, the Canadian broadcaster, TSN, became the only F1 coverage available to Canadian viewers for qualifying and the race. Previous to that, the race was also available on the standard definition feed of Speed Channel, the US broadcast rights holder. This was a result of TSN exercising its right to blackout the feed of other broadcasters to protect its rights to the local market. While that’s entirely fair under the contracts both broadcasters signed, it’s unfair to Canadian viewers who are being force-fed sub-par coverage. Continue reading
F1
F1 Power Rankings: Italian Grand Prix
The proverbial fat lady is warming up. After picking up his seventh win from 12 races, Sebastian Vettel extended his championship lead to 92 points. At 25 points for a win, that’s nearly a four-race lead with only seven races to go. With the championship all but sewn up, the focus turns to the battle for second place. Four drivers are within 21 points of second spot in the World Drivers’ Championship. Something tells me that race will be a bit more exciting than the battle for the championship. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Belgian Grand Prix
After four weeks off, the 2011 Formula One World Championship is back in full-force for the stretch run. With eight races to go, Sebastian Vettel holds an 85 point lead over teammate Mark Webber. That’s equivalent to over three race wins meaning Vettel can sit out the next three Grands Prix and still hold a 10 point lead in the championship. It looks like back-to-back titles are in the cards for Vettel but McLaren still like their chances. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: European Grand Prix
It’s back to Europe for the summer stretch of the Formula One World Championship. The European Grand Prix held around the streets of the harbour of Valencia is the fourth-to-last race before the annual summer break. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the worst races on the calendar. But with the KERS and double DRS zones, maybe there’s hope for this race. And hope is all 23 drivers in the field are clinging to if they think they can beat Sebastian Vettel. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Canadian Grand Prix
It’s time for my favourite race of the Formula One World Championship. The F1 circus makes its only stop of the season in North America this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix. This is largely homerism but the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of today’s great Grand Prix circuits. Regardless of the fact that it’s part street circuit and part dedicated race track, it always produces an exciting and unpredictable event. Maybe that’s what some folks need to knock Sebastian Vettel off the top step of the podium. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Monaco Grand Prix
We’re only six races into the season and still six months from the season finale but we’ve reached the biggest race of the 2011 Formula One World Championship. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most prestigious race on the calendar and one that every driver wants to win. Four of the top five drivers in this year’s championship have won on the streets of the principality. The one man who hasn’t is the man who has dominated 2011 so far. Continue reading
Top 10 Motorsports Temper Moments
A couple of weeks ago, TSN’s SportsCentre paid homage to Helio Castroneves’ blowup on Izod IndyCar officials at the Honda Edmonton Indy by running a list of the Top 10 meltdowns in sports. While it was entirely appropriate, the problem was that they ran the exact same top ten the week before. If they put in five minutes worth of effort into their segments, they would have found that there are loads of moments in motorsports history where people let their tempers get the best of them.
So to pay proper homage to Helio’s temper getting the best of him (and to tell TSN to bugger off), here is our Top 10 Motorsports Temper Blowup Moments. Continue reading
Formula 1: Track Changes A Plenty
While the FIA and FOTA have been working on ways to improve the show by making the cars more passing friendly, a pair of circuits are taking the initiative to improve the show on their end. The Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, and the Sakhir Circuit, home of the Bahrain Grand Prix, will both feature a new layout for their 2010 grand prix weekends.
Track maps and analysis after the jump. Continue reading
Formula 1: Bernie Could Become A Manufacturer
The new head of General Motors Europe recently revealed one of the groups that are considering a bid for Saab. It turns out that Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone is part of a bidding group that includes Luxembourg-based venture capital group Genii Capital (also the majority owner of Renault F1). Of course, while Bernie is making big waves off track, he’s still making news in Formula One. Continue reading
Formula 1: Rules Changes Changing Cars
As we’ve mentioned before in our periodic F1 updates on the blog, Formula One has banned refuelling during the race for the 2010 season. Teams now have to carry enough fuel to run the 300+ km of race distance or otherwise suffer an embarrassing end of their grand prix on the side of the road. However, that isn’t the only rules change happening this season and teams are plotting rules changes for 2011, as well. Continue reading
The Lowdown 