Comments on: What do US F1 fans think of Speed?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:49:07 +0000

The three Speed commentators (Bob Varsha, David Hobbs, and Steve Matchett) do an excellent job. however, you can tell that they are bias towards English teams and English drivers. I think that Mr. Hobbs could have also been a great comedian. However, the problem is not them the problem is the coverage. First of all let me say that I do travel all over the world and I have seen F1 coverage in some places like: Italy, England, Russia, South Africa and many more. I would have to say that the BBC has the best coverage. It starts at least one hour before the race and ends at least an hour after the race, it is free and best of all has no commercial interruptions! On today’s race (Hungarian GP 2011) Speedvision cut the program short (no celebration and no interview) to bring 2 hours of NASCAR pre-race……..are you kidding me?

By: Andy B

Andy B — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:33:19 +0000

David Hobbs drives me nuts. He doesn’t pay much attention to the other commentators, frequently interrupting them or repeating what they’ve just said. He grunts when he’s excited. I don’t need somebody to make squealing noises when something exciting is happening… that’s my job!

By: Hernan

Hernan — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:18:14 +0000

Too many commercials! Also, I don’t like to watch 4 races on FOX when they are NOT live. Aside from that, all is good!

By: Schumi Boy

Schumi Boy — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:55:30 +0000

I do agree!SPEED predominantly caters with NASCAR.They should air F1 live during qualifying and race day.Live coverage is definitely much better.

By: DJ

DJ — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:01:51 +0000

Matchett talks too much? Hummm . . .

Aside from Windsor, I’ve always thought Steve Matchett was the least vocal amongst the remaining three. And that’s too bad because I really enjoy Matchett’s comments!

I must also say that Bob Varsha does a fantastic job as well. I think I slighted him, a tad, in earlier comments, without intending to do so.

Varsha is the “glue” which holds the F1 Speed team together. It’s one thing for Hobbs and Matchett to pipe in when they wish. But it’s another thing to be the “host” where you welcome the viewers, explain things, try to sound interesting as you attempt to prevent dead air, exit for commercials at the proper time, etc. Not an easy job!

Varsha also has a wealth of F1 knowledge and is clearly a passionate F1 fan.

It’s just that I prize the perspectives of Matchett and Hobbs because they have been there — they are ex-F1 people.

Long Live F1 on Speed!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:09:21 +0000

I Love Speed’s F1 coverage, except Matchett talks too much. LET US HEAR THE CARS, YES!

By: Ed P

Ed P — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:29:09 +0000

Speed’s coverage was good until this weekend when they put themselves out of business by restricting the use of video recorders. If I cannot watch it at my convenience, I will not be watching it at all.

By: Rick DeNatale

Rick DeNatale — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:31:49 +0000

For about four races, starting with the last race in Turkey, the actual race coverage is on the Fox Network and not live.

So check your local Fox station.

I my case (in the Raleigh NC market) the local channel didn’t cover Turkey, and doesn’t look like it’s carrying Silverstone either.

Speed will show the race later this week, either Monday or Tuesday. I can’ remember which.

By: iann

iann — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:29:38 +0000

you know, I’m watching F1 Silverstone right now, or supposed to. I don’t understand why SPEED broadcasts the Saturday Qualifying LIVE, while probably the Sunday Race isn’t going to be broadcasted.
Are they showing Raceday on a different channel?

By: LovesF1

LovesF1 — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:45:47 +0000

Gotta agree with Viktor — not that I hate the Speed-TV team, but they are past it. With the pre-Senna era war stories and the British jingoism, it comes across as a bit of an old boys club. Windsor’s pre-race walks are often embarrassing since people just ignore him, whereas Brundle — a still respected driver — muscles right in and gets the interview. Windsor is just too busy being polite and not offending anyone. Now that we in Canada get a choice between coverage with the BBC commentary or coverage on Speed-TV, we always watch the pre-race on Speed, then switch to Brundle and Co. as soon as their coverage starts up. Brundle is the best F1 commentator, in English at least, around at the moment.