British F1 Punditry in Turmoil Following Hill's Departure
Nov.22 - More well-known British pundits could also leave Sky's English-language coverage of Formula 1.
1996 world champion Damon Hill, a member of the Sky punditry team for over a decade, is leaving the broadcaster. It follows his recent harsh assessment of Max Verstappen's driving.
"I think that he (Verstappen) is using fear and intimidation," Hill had said before facing widespread accusations of pro-Lando Norris bias, including by the Verstappen camp.
"I don't know whether it was his (Hill's) decision or Sky's, to be honest," fellow former British F1 driver Johnny Herbert, who was axed by Sky ahead of the 2023 season, said.
"I know he got criticism for the Max scenarios and maybe he felt 'You know what, I don't need that'. There is change going on.
"If he was pushed, then you wonder what could happen to Martin Brundle and David Croft."
Indeed, lead Sky UK commentator Croft, and his award-winning and highly respected sidekick Brundle, were - like Hill - also accused of anti-Verstappen bias recently.
Herbert says he knows that Hill in particular was "very unhappy" with the bias accusations.
"He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments," said Herbert, who has also been accused of pro-British bias whilst serving as a regular recent FIA steward.
"Maybe all that negativity made him (Hill) decide," he concluded.
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No great loss for me…I find him dull and and he always looks uncomfortable. I’d like more JV, Danika and Bernie Collins. While I’m at it, can someone please end Brundle’s grid walk.
the entire SKY team is hopelessly biased in favor of Brit drivers - as an American condemned by Disney to watch the Sky coverage on ESPN, I for one am sick of it. Bring back Speed Channel!
Adrian - yeah, right on. Here in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Kanada we're forced to listen to Crusty and Bungle as well. A couple of the women are inciteful and I like Chandok.
However, give me David Coulthard calling the race ANY day of the week
thanks - curious if Quebec TV does a French broadcast seperate from the SKY coverage. And I've only heard Coulthard doing post-race interviews, never commentary. Button and Davidson aren't so bad but the pro-Brit bias just oozes out of Croft, Brundel and the little weasel that does the pit lane reporting - he's the worst. Not a fan of the Irish lass only because I just can't understand half of what she says due to her thick brogue. Pinkham is still mostly eye candy, even at her age (tho perhaps they're grooming the lovely Danica to take over that roll). Surprisingly Naomi Schiff is often the most insightful AND also easy on the eyes.
To my knowledge, Canada has both TNS & RDS separately broadcasting F1 for the English & French regions, respectively.
Just like with NHL, for example.
DC does the commentary for his own production company on c4 , got to dissagree on Naomi a very average w series driver , and just a box ticking colour exercise by sky who are financial supporters of Hannahs project44, imo thats why shes on sky
Do i care about Bites , not in the slightest
She may have been an average driver in that farce that is the W series - Toto's wife's lil' pet project - and she may well have been a DEI hire to begin with at SKY - but, she's grown into the job and as I said is surprisingly insightful. What is Bites?
We will agree to disagree sir, bites and attacks , i meant persons who disagree with the box ticking comment
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