What the BBC's 2009 F1 intro should look like

How the BBC’s F1 intro should look

November 30, 2008 at 1:43 pm by Keith Collantine

When BBC screen their first live F1 race in 13 years next March, what should the intro look like? Here’s an exceptionally good vision of it posted on Youtube by Roadworks TV – and yes, they have used The Chain…

I like it because:

1. It’s got “The Chain”
2. It’s not just focused on the British F1 drivers
3. There’s no eagles or roulette wheels or other pointless stuff like that

I found this on SofaF1. As Alex says:

The BBC should just put a cheque in the post. It feels totally on the money.

I agree – think it’s better than the four versions used by ITV-F1 from 1997-2008, videos of which you can see here (although I enjoyed thought their first two efforts).

Inevitably this excellent piece of work, on which someone has clearly invested many hours, will be taken down by FOM, so enjoy it while you can.

Found any other potential versions of the BBC’s F1 intro for 2009? Post them below…

More about BBC’s F1 coverage in 2009

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49 comments on How the BBC’s F1 intro should look

Sebastian said on 30th November 2008, 17:06

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISAdU0NweQM

(I’m not serious, although a racer montage like the one in the end might make for a good intro).

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Vincent Altair said on 30th November 2008, 17:22

Hmmm, even though the actual montage was pretty boring – and Hamilton heavy it gave me goosebumps just seeing F1 and The Chain together again! :-)

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Alex Cooper said on 30th November 2008, 17:47

I’m way out of my league in creating this sort of stuff, so I bow down to those who can, but I used to like the fast moving grid slots (from Silverstone I think) that the BBC had laid underneath their graphics.

Too many of the efforts on YouTube focus on crashes, which isn’t what the average F1 fans tunes in for.

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TommyBellingham said on 30th November 2008, 18:13

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gwv9iHHPL9Q

This is my version, please tell me what you think :)

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Too Good said on 30th November 2008, 18:17

If indeed this will be the BBC F1 Intro, I am really surprised. ITV being British Production House ended up being booed by one and all for the over-hype they created around Lewis, but at least they gave other teams and drivers good representation in their Intro – e.g. Alonso, Kubica, Vettel have been part of the intro sequence during the 2008 telecast of ITV.

Is BBC under impression F1 is all about McLaren & Ferrari?? how about other teams and drivers. And what in world is Lewis’s current girlfriend doing in the intro?? Is this F1 intro or Hollywood romantic movie intro :-?.

Very Shoddy job indeed

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Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 30th November 2008, 18:32

Too Good – this wasn’t made by the BBC.

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Anonymouse said on 30th November 2008, 18:49

Hi Keith

Just an OffTopic quickee? Did you get my mail about that article proposal?

Cheers

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Paul said on 30th November 2008, 19:02

Hamilton-centric

Doesn’t bother me because the eventual (real) BBC intro will be too.

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Loki said on 30th November 2008, 19:04

These aren’t bad for home made video enthusiasts having a bit of fun (the original posted one is at least had some motion graphics in it), but overall the only thing I like about any of them is the inclusion of ‘the chain’. And at this rate, it’ll probably be worn out by the time Melbourne comes round.

If BBC do decide to use ‘the chain’ I want it to be for the season opening show only. It’s that ‘too much of a good thing’ school of thought.

I’ve with post #5 – I hope the BBCs creative thinktank will deliver something that at least gives us something we’re not expecting. ITV’s attempt was flash, but ridiculous.

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beneboy said on 30th November 2008, 20:08

Anonymouse

Just go an listen to The Chains drums again though…..just sooooooo dull…….

It’s the sort of music my Grandad would say is “cool”…..maybe 20-30 years ago it was ok….but not now…..should still be rock, or heavy metal though….

Mate, you just made me feel very old as The Chain is one of my favourite songs, ever :~)

I think it works very well with F1 and I still play it during the intro to every F1 race I watch (the live version from the album The Dance).

How can you slate Mick’s drumming ?
The guy is a rock legend and if you ever get the chance to see him live then I’d recommend it as he beats the hell out of his drums in a way you wouldn’t believe, the noise & energy is amazing and he’s as good if not better than any other drummer I’ve seen.

I doubt very much the BBC would go for some Fear Factory, it may scare off a few of the middle aged viewers :~)
I can just imagine the look on my dad’s face if that blasted out of his TV on a Sunday afternoon, he used to escape to the shed when I played Nirvana as a teenager.

I know it’s a bit obvious but I think Metallica’s Fuel is loud & energetic enough without being too scary for the radio 4 listeners who’d be watching.

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ceedas said on 30th November 2008, 21:16

I agree, too much Hamilton & entourage – no Kubica, no Alonso, or the other winners from last year, Heikki and Vettel, and the other British driver was completely absent – apart from that, it’s pretty good.

And I’ve heard the theme will be The Chain, so either look forward to it or get used to it..!

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Anonymouse said on 30th November 2008, 21:22

Hi Beneboy

Soz, did’nt mean to make ya feel old. I grew up with The Chain, and it Was perfect for its time…….I dunno, maybe I just see F1 as a forward moving sport, always changing, always inovating, always “new”……the BBC using an old tune to say “Look, its us from the old days again”, kind of screams nostalgia…as opposed to future….

As for Metallica..here I will show my age (40-ish), as I first saw them live in 1984? or was it 85? at the Offenbach Stadthalle near Frankfurt Germany, back in the days just after Cliff Burton died, and before they could even fill a 2000 seat town hall in Germany….lol. Fuel would be a good one….not only fast and powerful but a sense of fun about it too.

Tell ya one thing, IF the BBC do use The Chain, I hope they use it unmolested….if they try and Jazz it up with some awful techno music beat over it, I will scream until I turn blue…lol.

Maybe commision Metallica to do a cover of The Chain…..I’d be up for that. :)

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beneboy said on 30th November 2008, 21:43

Well I’m seeing Metallica in Manchester in February so if I get to see any of them I’ll ask, maybe they’ll be up for it :~)

There’s a techno Chain remix used on an F1 intro video on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVVAr5UbHQ

Careful, may have you reaching for the sick bag…

I’d like the BBC to do a season preview show that could be a review of F1 history up to the end of last season, they could use The Chain in a retro theme for the start and then end the show with the new music for next season.

Kind of a nod to the old days and an introduction to the new ones.

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Will said on 30th November 2008, 22:10

They need more shots of Lewis Hamilton… :/

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Dane said on 30th November 2008, 23:36

OMFG! What a crock. I counted around 15 times they showed Hamilton even his girlfriend & his brother!!
If this is the BBCs new intro, they forgot to put Hamiltons name on the title

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