Brazil 1997:
with Murray Walker.
F1 Racing May 1997.

For me, grand prix racing is the most exciting, dramatic and colourful sport in the world, but I came away from Sao Paulo
feeling flat and depressed. The race never developed into the exciting battle we had all expected after qualifying and to say that the television coverage left a lot to be desired would a masterpiece of understatement.

Did you realise what a cracking battle was going on between Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi in the closing laps? I did, from the timing monitors, but it was missing from the TV screens. It is easy to criticise the other chap, but I was reminded that in the early days of grand prix TV coverage, the BBC would never go to Brazil or show the race live because it was so appalling. It was nowhere near as bad as that this year, but FOCA's first effort at TV directing wasn't good enough and needs Bernie to read the riot act.

Still, I suppose we were lucky to get on the air at all, after a mega Brazilian cock-up sent 400 volts of electricity through all our equipment after practice and literally electrified everything, including the metal studio walls and the cameras! The race?A great bounce back for Damon Hill and Arrows, who proved that they will be a serious force before very much longer. Also, there were great drives from Jacques Villeneuve, Gerhard Berger, and Olivier Panis, but a sad letdown for Heinz-Harald Frentzen and David Coulthard. But at least the championship has closed up and the joys of Buenos Aires beckon. They tell me the electricity is good there!

-End of Article--

_______________________________________________________________________________________________