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F1 Juniors broadcast an admirable idea – but a reminder that all kids want to be is grown up
F1 Juniors broadcast an admirable idea – but a reminder that all kids want to be is grown up
“Now it’s time to cross over to our F1 Juniors,” said Sky’s lead presenter Simon Lazenby, in a feel which became familiar throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Often the broadcaster striving for new avenues, never afraid of the status quo, Sky Sports took their television trials to a different avenue this weekend with the first-ever Formula 1 broadcast for children. An admirable experiment, it gave three teenagers a few days to savour as they started their summer holidays in Budapest alongside broadcasters Radzi Chinyanganya and Harry Benjamin. For Braydon, Scarlett and Zak – the latter a go-karter at junior level, the former duo presenters on Sky’s BAFTA-winning kids show FYI – it presented opportunities of a lifetime with interviews, quizzes and predictions with the best drivers and pundits in the paddock. And it provided some indisputably heartwarming moments. Like the segment where Zak met Lewis Hamilton and spoke to his hero about how inspiring the Mercedes star has been to black kids around the world, before then sitting in his Mercedes car. Or Scarlett and Braydon quizzing the ‘terrible trio’ of George Russell, Lando Norris and Alex Albon about what ice cream they’d describe themselves as. “Vanilla,” Norris quipped, pointing at Russell. There’s something about the involvement of adolescents in a press environment which can bring some much-needed light-heartedness to what can sometimes be a sterile process for all involved. For example, who can forget the young boy, in awe of his sporting icon, who asked Roger Federer at the US Open in 2017: “Switzerland is really cool, right? There isn’t too much livestock. So why do they call you the GOAT?” Yet away from one-on-ones with drivers, the core aspect to the alternative broadcast was the informal race coverage, live on free-to-air Sky Showcase, which presented an F1 race in an entirely different format. There were bright, 3D augmented graphics throughout, with a colour-coordinated leaderboard which, frankly, seemed clearer than the usual feed at times. Explainers popped up at various points, defining key F1-focused terms for younger viewers. The use of avatars for each driver was a cute touch, though obviously best kept for this experiment. Overall, it provided something completely unique and distinctive for a 70-lap race which provided a common routine in the obligatory Max Verstappen victory. Sure, nobody was asking for an F1-kids broadcast. And inevitably, naysayers online will have been quick to roll their eyes at the initiative. It was notable that both Sky F1 and Benjamin turned off replies to their tweets involving F1 Juniors over the weekend. Less an indication of the general reaction to the initiative and more a sign of the times – and the highly-charged often-abusive nature of social media. But that is not the point. F1 has for a while been a step ahead of other sports in the intuitiveness and creativity of its product, to the stage now where it is in the midst of a period of unprecedented worldwide popularity. The most obvious is the fly-on-the-wall nature of Drive to Survive on Netflix, a format only now being followed by the professional tennis and golf tours in search of extra eyeballs. It is a fine balancing act, though. During practice and the qualifying show, there were regular interspersions on the main feed to the Juniors, a process which may well have irritated petrolheads and fans of a sterner generation. While Sky like to push boundaries, their executives will be all too aware of trying to avoid alienating their core viewership. The one-off nature of F1 Juniors, at least this season, means this is unlikely to materialise. And there were moments of awkwardness. Like cutting to Christian Horner on the pit wall, seemingly in a baffled daze, who bluntly said: “Can we come back and do this in another 10 laps or so?” Like a selfie in the commentary booth with Danica Patrick, who had earlier stated the nature of sport “is masculine and aggressive” as she spoke about the lack of female racing drivers. There were obviously a few mistakes here and there – and it wasn’t completely crisp and clear-cut. But then it wasn’t meant to be. And, frankly, nor is David Croft and Martin Brundle’s expert commentary always error-free. In a sport as technical and fast-paced as F1, perfection is near-on impossible. Of course, unless you’re Verstappen at the moment. But the underlying takeaway is this: as a child, all you want to be is treated as a grown-up. The best way of learning about the intricacies of a sport like Formula 1 is to immerse yourself in the usual feed on a regular basis, creating a curiosity gap to discover more. As a one-off, F1 Juniors was worthwhile and undoubtedly a commendable initiative. For intrigued parents, showing their children an F1 race for the first time, who knows how many may have flicked on the coverage? Who knows how many might now flick on an F1 race in the future on a Sunday afternoon? Something different is not to be something dismissed. Read More Lewis Hamilton makes damning statement about his level after Hungarian GP Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top Max Verstappen making Red Bull rivals ‘look like F2 cars’, says Toto Wolff ‘That would be terrible’: Max Verstappen jokes about Lewis Hamilton’s car number Lewis Hamilton makes damning statement about his level after Hungarian GP
2023-07-24 20:14
Where is Olivia Dunne vacationing? TikTok star jumps off yacht in white bikini in new video
Where is Olivia Dunne vacationing? TikTok star jumps off yacht in white bikini in new video
Olivia Dunne has been posting pictures and videos from her exciting vacation on the Italian coast
2023-06-12 18:21
Saints seeing signs of patience wearing thin, frustration growing as mistakes continue
Saints seeing signs of patience wearing thin, frustration growing as mistakes continue
New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen says he can assure increasingly frustrated fans that the sense of urgency inside team headquarters is as high as anywhere else
2023-11-28 09:07
Oakland A's reach agreement for potential stadium site on Las Vegas Strip
Oakland A's reach agreement for potential stadium site on Las Vegas Strip
The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties to build a potential stadium on the Tropicana hotel site along the Las Vegas Strip
1970-01-01 08:00
DeSantis campaign lays out debate strategy to donors and supporters
DeSantis campaign lays out debate strategy to donors and supporters
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is prepared to be "the center of attacks" next week at the GOP's first debate in the 2024 presidential race, according to a campaign memo obtained by CNN that lays out how DeSantis is preparing for the debate stage.
2023-08-20 05:21
America Is Divided Over Everything But Chicken: Big Take Podcast
America Is Divided Over Everything But Chicken: Big Take Podcast
Listen to The Big Take podcast on iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Terminal. Americans love beef. But more recently,
2023-06-23 17:00
'Against their nature': When Brazil banned women from football
'Against their nature': When Brazil banned women from football
Dilma Mendes does not remember how many times she was arrested as a child. Her crime?...
2023-07-14 13:42
'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Will Jack Ryan reactivate Pluto? Danger plagues new deputy director
'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Will Jack Ryan reactivate Pluto? Danger plagues new deputy director
The first episode of ‘Jack Ryan’ Season 4 kicks off with a glimpse of Jack Ryan’s wrenching capture where he’s beaten badly
2023-06-30 08:01
Sheffield United sign Anis Slimane from Danish club Brondby
Sheffield United sign Anis Slimane from Danish club Brondby
Sheffield United have made Tunisia international Anis Slimane their first summer signing. The Blades have signed Slimane from Danish club Brondby on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £1.2million. The 22-year-old midfielder, who played for Tunisia in last year’s World Cup, told the club’s official website: “I like the culture of the club. I heard it is a hard-working club and that reminds me of myself. “I love to work hard, and I love to give everything – leave everything out on the pitch. At this club, nothing is given, everything is worked for. “I had a really good talk with the club and the manager and I felt that they had the right plan for me. The manager was really honest and I am excited to be here and looking forward to the Premier League. “It is a big opportunity and a big challenge, I am not coming here for a vacation. I have been through a lot in my career so far, even though I’m only 22, but I still have a lot to learn, and I am looking forward to learning every day.” Boss Paul Heckingbottom, whose club have also been linked with Ivorian winger Benie Traore, is delighted to sign a player with experience at such a young age. “He’s 22 but someone with a lot of experience. He’s played a lot of first-team games, been to a World Cup and someone who has continually gone up the ladder in terms of his levels,” Heckingbottom said. “He’s a technical player who can handle the ball really well and someone who works really hard. I think the fact that he’s played in a number of positions at international level and has been trusted in those positions shows he gets the game tactically. “Anis is someone we’ve known about since we first took the job here, really in that first window. We never really had the opportunity to do something until now and it has just coincided with his contract situation so the timing is really good for both of us.” The Blades are preparing for life back in the Premier League after two seasons away and are currently in a fight to keep star striker Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegal international is reportedly attracting interest from Marseille, but the PA news agency first revealed that he has been offered a bumper new deal by the South Yorkshire club. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-07-13 19:21
Analysis: Wimbledon's champion says a taste for McDonald's makes her normal. But she's unique
Analysis: Wimbledon's champion says a taste for McDonald's makes her normal. But she's unique
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova says she's “just a normal person” because she likes to eat chocolate and eat McDonald's during a Grand Slam tournament
2023-07-16 18:47
Natalie Portman thrilled with reaction to May December
Natalie Portman thrilled with reaction to May December
Natalie Portman has been thrilled by the reaction to her new movie 'May December', after it sold to Netflix.
2023-09-30 15:00
Fact check: Biden falsely claims he has 'been to every mass shooting'
Fact check: Biden falsely claims he has 'been to every mass shooting'
President Joe Biden falsely claimed Friday that he has been to the site of "every mass shooting," the latest in a series of false claims about his travel record.
2023-09-23 06:59