Just days before the British Grand-Prix, and BBC One F1 presenter, Jake Humphrey still manages to find time to answer the burning questions of our readers.
Loads of you sent questions in, and we chose the best ones to send to Jake – here they are…
Jake: Did you ever think growing up watching the F1 coverage that one day you’d be presenting it?
(from Michael Griffin)
Well the honest answer Michael is no! I think no one really believes they’ll end up hosting such a prestigious sport to such a passionate and knowledgeable audience, and even now I can hardly believe it. Sometimes when I’m in the car with a cracking tune on the radio I just let a huge smile creep across my face…but I soon regain my composure and focus on the job in hand. My only wish is that my F1 mad granddad was around to see me, he wouldn’t believe it either!!
Do you have any advice for budding journalists on how to get into sports journalism?
(from Max Lynam)
Yes I do Max and it’s all sensible, down to earth advice I’m afraid. I wish there was a magic formula for how to become a TV presenter but quite simply the only advice can be. Watch lots of sports output and think how you would improve it, write lots of reports of sports events and then get some work experience at your local radio station or newspaper. It’s all about hard work, knowledge and journalistic integrity, not about being a star!
3. Jake, thanks to the great BBC F1 site, I’ve been watching Grand prix re-runs from the 70’s & 80’s. It’s been great to watch wheel to wheel action all over again and it’s certainly raised the question, are the latest batch of F1 drivers being allowed to race in the true sense. Seeing Prost, Senna and Mansel racing every inch of every track, makes me feel that F1 is becoming bogged down with rules and regulations.
Is it not time to release the drivers from technology and rules, & just let them race?
P.S. Love the F1 coverage these days, & Martin Brundle is a God!
P.P.S. Tell Eddie, pastel blue trousers went out with spangles!
(from John McKenna)
I’m afraid I‘d have to disagree John. Chat to any F1 driver, boss or engineer who was around in the 70’s and 80’s and they’ll tell you overtaking has always been hard. I think that the reason we remember it more fondly is because most races, most seasons are concentrated down to 20 minute edits with only the best bits shown. If you edited this entire season down to a 20 minutes highlight show and then showed it to someone in 30 years they’d probably think 2010 was a vintage season!
Thanks for your lovely comments, we’re working hard to make the coverage even better and we take the responsibility of providing the UK’s F1 output really seriously!
When you did your first link to camera last year at the British GP (I don’t know if you remember but the fans went wild), how did that feel?
(from Daniel Perehovsky)
Well I have to confess it was one of my highlights of 2010 Daniel. I’m not a big fan of the limelight, autographs etc, but that was the day I really realised how much you guys are enjoying F1 back on the BBC and it meant a great, great deal…especially after the lukewarm reception when I got the gig!!
How long does it take you to prepare your script for each race, and how do you decide what to talk about?
(from Andy Graham)
Well as there’s no Autocue, no script writers and no sub editors Andy, the entire research/scripting process falls to yours truly! Mark the Editor and I tend to get the running order finalised the afternoon before the show and I then set about getting the questions and links written and learned. It’s quite an involved and lonely process so no late nights for me! It relies mainly on research and room service!!
Who is naughtier, David or Eddie?
(from Jeff Groom)
No doubt about it. EJ. He picks clothes just to get a reaction, argues with DC for the sake of it, and asks naughty questions to frustrate the team bosses…and I love it! People are obsessed with EJ and everywhere I go I get asked about him. I think he’s a really important part of our TV chemistry…long may it continue!!
Is there any particular driver you enjoy interviewing? Any of them make you feel as though you’re just chatting to a friend?
(from TheF1Times.com)
There are some who are tougher to get to know than others, but I can chat to Mark Webber, Jenson Button or Karun Chandhok like I’m talking to a mate. I like drivers you can have a laugh with and so far I’ve got on well with pretty much everyone in the paddock. I just treat them and interview them like a normal person and they seem to respond to that. Most of the guys watch our coverage too and I think that helps. I had a 20 minute conversation with Jenson a few days ago about what he likes and dislikes about our output!!
You narrowly missed out on a BAFTA for your coverage of the Brazilian GP, but it must still feel pretty good to have been nominated?
(from Sarah)
Yeah it felt great thanks Sarah. I watched that show back the other day and the production team know it was good TV and that we all gave it our best so we don’t mind not winning. When I announced on Twitter that we hadn’t won, the reaction was incredible so thanks for all the lovely messages!!
It’s the British Grand-Prix coming up, what is your fondest childhood memory of the on-goings at Silverstone? Is it, honestly, your favourite Grand-Prix of the season?
(from Stefan Sagrini)
What is amazing about Silverstone is the fans Stefan. Singapore has the lights, Abu Dhabi has the wow factor and Korea has novelty value…but no circuit can ever buy the history we can boast or generate the passion we see around the circuit! I love going to the place F1 was born and I love the fact Silverstone have the security to think about the future now too. Long may the British Grand Prix continue…it’s a sporting event the whole country should be proud of!!!
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The F1 Times would like to thank Jake and the BBC Press Office for their time and support in offering this Q&A.
Make sure you don’t miss the British Grand-Prix at Silverstone, full coverage details are as follows (UK Only):
Friday 9 July
BBC Red Button 9.55- 11.35 Practice 1
BBC Red Button 13.55 – 15.35 Practice 2
Saturday 10 July
BBC Red Button 9.55 – 11.05 Practice 3
BBC One 12.10 – 14.30 Qualifying
Sunday 11 July
BBC One 12.10 – 15.30 British Grand Prix
BBC Red Button 15.15 – 16.15 Forum
BBC Three 19.00 – 20.00 Highlights
