F1 German Grand Prix

Coverage is available FOC on Sky according to this link. http://tv.sky.com/showpage/sky-sports-free-weekend

Apparently also for all Virgin Media clients after 6AM Fri. 20th, including those who haven't subscribed to any of the 6 Sky Sport channels carried (1-4, News, F1, plus 1HD & 2HD for XL pacxkage clients).

First practice session is on now and it's raining apparently (according the beeb's live text coverage, I haven't got/won't have Sky <barf> in the house!).

It is also Lewis's 100th race this weekend! Seems like only six years ago since he started in F1....oh wait, it is!

Very clever move by Sky. Doesn't mean I like'em though. I wonder if we'll actually get the F1 Channel in HD - after all, we DO pay for Sky Sports via Virgin, so it seems pretty mean for us NOT to have it. But there you go...

Ring 150 and ask why, then... simple. Get 'more bang for your buck'.

Unfortunately it's not simple. Sky won't give Virgin the F1 in HD. They do this along with other channels to try to move people over to Sky.

Are you sure that it's not because you're not on a Virgin Media XL package? I've just switched to Sky Sports F1, and... Sky Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 2HD. I am on an XL package subscription.

I'm saying you can't get F1 HD on Virgin. Full stop. Sky won't let them have it.

Ah, OK, "Ho capito". My misunderstanding, sorry.

Took day off today, after reading here then getting an email about it, watched it in and off.
Good advert....

Breaking news: Red Bull are under investigation for running illegal throttle maps.

As Dennis says, story is here, naughty boys if true!

Guys - if you have Virgin, it looks like SkyF1 is being aired free this weekend - Channel 516

Get with it Nigel - look at the first post!

Hmm...judging by the stewards ruling, it would seem that Red Bull have an ingenious interpration of the wording of the rules. I guess the FIA will close that loophole off in time for the next race.

Live update from the BBC website;



Taken from here, the 12:09 entry

Watching the race live on Sky, I feel like I'm committing adultery.

Great move by Jenson. Parked it on the apex so Hulkenberg couldn't undercut him back on the exit.

If Jenson can take Schuey quickly, he will be a factor for the win. Such is the dry pace of the upgraded Mclaren. The only question mark is if Mclaren have soved their degradation issues, but Jenson looks good so far.

Alonso is being canny, looking after his tyres while Vettel roots his while tucked up behind him.

I'm expecting Alonso to pull away towards the end of his stint.

Both Saubers are flying.

Top three will need to pit to close off Perez undercutting them in the pits.

The Mclarens and Saubers looked great on the prime tyre in practices. Ferrari and Red Bull less so. This could be a pivotal part of the race.

Defininitely a vibration on Jenson's right front riding onboard. Doesn't seem to be affecting him though.

I think Vettel looks to be conserving his rubber for an attck in the last ten laps. But with him not having full power KERS, he'll struggle to overtake unless he does a bansai into the hairpin braking zone.

Actually, Vettel is right on the limit and occasionally over it to keep up.

Jenson is having to use noticeably less road than Alonso.

Totally illegal move. Passed off the circuit. The FIA passed a ruling earlier in the year to prevent passes like that happening.

I think they'll hit him with a penalty for that pass unless they judge that he had the faster car anyway and an overtake was inevitable......

20 seconds have been added to Vettel as a penalty 'drive through'

Was good to watch especially the last few laps. Pity about Hamilton!

As per here ; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18947482

What a cracking race.

How bloody annoying that Radio 2 news at three o'clock chose to announce the winner even though the race had not yet been shown on the BBC... idiots.

I managed to turn it off before hearing more than the winner, so not all bad, but nonetheless a bit bloody stupid of someone.

This sort of thing would never have happened when I worked in News...

</rant>

Don't you just loved it when you are right

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18957915

Also wondered when this would get mentioned by Mr V

How Dare you!

Cock.

So racers aren't allowed to unlap themselves? Bad enough backmarkers are blue flagged to allow the front runners through If I was Vettel I'd have kept quiet and hoped no-one asked how Hamilton got past him.

Agreed. These are supposed to be the best drivers in the world and they're complaining they can't get past a slower car? Tough, m'dears... lose the blue flag forthwith, please!

A very justified rant Neil. I'd managed to avoid and GP news all day then just as we were reversing onto our drive the bloody news reader blurted out that Alonso had won the GP!!! Like you I'd switched him of before i could hear any more but I was fuming. Even more so when I found out I could have watched it live on sky F.O.C.