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The BBC has signed a five year deal to broadcast Formula 1, which was good news, and largely unexpected. But a bit of thought has me wondering a few things:

Martin Brundle is the new Murray Walker. He must move to the BBC, just as Murray Walker moved to ITV. Brundle is a superb commentator, his grid walks are great, and he speaks his mind (much to Ecclestone’s frustration). He’s by far the best part of the ITV package, and if he’s lost due to contract issues, I think a huge number of long-term F1 fans will be disappointed.

It’s not all about Lewis. As Doctor Vee’s (with his spangly new F1 blog) has frequently pointed out, the ITV-Hamilton love fest has become rather trying. Last season I could just about cope, but watching the race on Sunday (as I lay on the couch, recovering from a stressful flight and, well, my stag do) it didn’t seem to have abated. Sure, he’s a good driver. Sure, he’s British. But please, there are a lot of other drivers and teams to focus on. I hope the BBC will stick to its impartiality.

No more adverts! Excellent news, and I’m sure the BBC will have some new ideas to try too. ITV was, despite the adverts, a big improvement over the BBC’s coverage. Other than a few key races, I remember the old BBC coverage was minimal at best (particularly for the far-flung races). A fresh approach, and the big support programme, were brilliant, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the BBC have learnt, and what new ideas they’ll introduce.

Highlights programme. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to watch a full race. Generally around Hungary, for instance. ITV sticks the highlights programme in a slot that’s useless. I’ll probably have heard the result on the radio or on teh interwebs before I see that. Let’s have a decent slot for highlights.

But it’s the commentary where it’s at. I was delighted to discover that the ITV commentary of the race is syndicated in Australia and NZ, so when we were there a few years ago, Martin Brundle’s tones featured heavily. He has to stay. He is practically an F1 institution. I’m not as anti-James Allen as many other F1 fans are: I actually think a commentary team works well when you’ve very different styles, knowledge bases and have the occasional foot-in-mouth. James Hunt and Murray Walker were a classic pairing, and Hunt’s knowledge completed Walker’s enthusiasm perfectly. Brundle and Allen aren’t in that league, but I actually think they work quite well in communicating an atmosphere.

But the BBC getting the contract is exciting stuff, and should be a great shot up the arm for F1 as it experiences a Hamilton-fuelled boom. Even without the wunderkind, this season is looking like it could be a corker, after a great one last season, so here’s hoping next season will be good too. I do wonder how much they paid for it though, and how much is some sort of convoluted Bernie Ecclestone power-play. It wouldn’t be the first (or last) time the infuriating little man has meddled in a sub-Machiavellian way. We’re long overdue a change there, if you ask me.

Update

Oh, and perhaps a return to The Chain? One of the best and most appropriate theme tunes ever. In fact, it’s such a certainty in my view I’d put money on it.