F1 Fanatic

A case study in how to spoil good material with sloppy production.

The 1997 season was a wall-to-wall corker, with plenty of different winners and a tense championship battle that exploded into acrimony in the final round.

Plus, this was the first year that FOCA TV’s digital service provides the footage, which is absolutely first-rate.

But the appalling commentary near ruins it all. For no obvious reason the season reviews’ commentators have begun using the present tense in the voice-overs – effectively pretending that the action is unfolding before their eyes.

It’s false and deeply irritating, and compromises the depth of analysis the review can communicate.

This is a real shame because there’s plenty of action on offer – if they’d got Clive James or Jonathon Ross back it would be a 5/5 rating for sure.

Best bit: What else? Jacques Villeneuve tracks down championship rival Michael Schumacher in the final round, pounces, and the inevitable collision occurs.

F1 Fanatic verdict

F1 Fanatic earns a commission on products sold via the links to our affiliate partners above, however you are not charged any extra. See here for more information.

Reviews

• “Silverstone” by Chas Parker reviewed
• McLaren – The Drivers reviewed
• Official F1 Live Timing App 2013 reviewed
• “Motor Sport Greats in Conversation” reviewed
• “The Art of War” by Adam Parr reviewed
• 2012 F1 season Blu-Ray “Victorious Vettel” reviewed
• 2012 F1 season DVD “Victorious Vettel” reviewed
• F1 Fanatic readers’ top ten most-purchased gifts 2012
• “Grand Prix Who’s Who” fourth edition reviewed
• “F1 Race Stars” by Codemasters reviewed