Google+ Jack Leslie F1: 2015 Sky Sports F1 Media Day

5 March 2015

2015 Sky Sports F1 Media Day

On Wednesday I attended the Sky Sports F1 press day, which – for the second year in a row – ditched the round table discussion format of the first two events. 
© Chris Lobina/Sky Sports
It took place at Sky Studios, in a room dominated by Martin Brundle’s ultimate 44-turn track incorporating features from all 20 layouts on the F1 2015 calendar. 



After finishing my University seminar, I took the tube to Osterley for my fourth Sky Sports F1 media day. A filming delay meant we had to wait at reception, but we were soon taken across to the studio where this year’s event took place. 

Brundle's ultimate track had been brought to life by Scalextric - becoming the largest layout the company has ever designed. It is 45 metres long, is made up of 177 pieces and includes the best features from all 20 circuits on this year’s calendar, starting with the Silverstone start/finish straight. 
© Chris Lobina/Sky Sports

The first chicane at Monza kicks off the lap, before the opening hairpin at the Circuit of the Americas. Later in the lap, it also features the final part of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the long back straight at the Shanghai International Circuit and the figure of eight shape of Suzuka. There are also miniature landmarks like the Singapore Flyer.

After having a look around the track, the media in attendance got the chance to chat to some of the Sky Sports F1 team. I managed to catch up with David Croft, Ted Kravitz, Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham and Brundle, who are all looking forward to the up-coming season. 

During our time in the studio, the Sky team filmed several pieces and raced against each other. I also tried out the Scalextric track, but my Mercedes car seemed to suffer a few reliability issues. You would have thought it was a McLaren Honda. 

A few members of the team fear Mercedes’ advantage will be even greater in 2015 than it was last year. Meanwhile Kravitz doesn’t expect McLaren to finish in Australia, following Honda’s reliability woes, but expects the team to get its act together by Spain. 

By the end of the day, Johnny Herbert remained at the top of the timesheets, just beating Anthony Davidson and Brundle – who set identical lap times. Unfortunately, due to unreliable machinery, I didn’t make the leaderboard. 

It was very different to the previous three media days. The first two were more formal sit down discussions, while last year’s event saw press go behind-the-scenes as the team filmed a VT, which basically featured them covering each other and a giant white wall in paint. 

This year’s media day was fairly relaxed and more interactive, and I think we all enjoyed having a go at possibly the greatest Scalextric track the company has ever created. It was pretty exciting and it was also great to catch up with the team.

Sky Sports F1 is the only place for F1 fans in the UK to watch all 20 races of the 2015 season live, with coverage starting on the 13 March with first practice for the Australian Grand Prix. A big thank you to Nikki for inviting me to the media day and everyone involved for hosting such a fun event. 

More images from the event can be found here.

1 comment:

The Rapierman said...

Did they ever say how long this "Ulimtate Formula 1 Track" would be in real life?