How F1 media coverage has evolved in line with its subject

When the first issue of F1 Racing, now GP Racing, appeared in 1996 it was very notable to me: I was in my second year as a Formula 1 commentator for Eurosport TV and the extra depth of information and analysis was invaluable. The arrival of a new monthly magazine was evidence of the way media coverage of F1 was evolving – and it’s been changing ever since, on screen and off.

At that time our TV production system was straightforward; each programme would begin with me and John Watson speaking from the commentary box with images of the build-up to qualifying or the race. The on-camera gathering of presenters and experts that’s standard nowadays was developing elsewhere, but not on Eurosport.