Archive: Formula 1 on Sky... and it's live!

The recent news that Sky Sports will be covering the whole of Formula 1 in 2012 and the BBC only half, has kicked off a significant number of debates.

Sky's visual coverage of sport is excellent across the board, however my main concern rests with their choice of punditry team. To ensure success, and to quell the significant resentment of paying for Formula 1, Sky has to bring together a collection of knowledgeable and recognisable individuals to charm the public with wit and intelligent debate.

If Sky treat Formula 1 like they do their coverage of cricket, the public will find it difficult to complain. Nevertheless, if they choose to market Formula 1 in a similar manner to their football coverage, we will be 'treated' to inane, uneducated chatter that serves no purpose than to highlight the obvious.

It's fair to say the Formula 1 punditry equivalent of Sky cricket already exists - it's on the BBC. Eddie Jordan is a combination of David Lloyd's idiosyncrasies and Ian Botham's 'tell it like it is' attitude, whereas David Coulthard brings the calming and intelligent demeanour akin to Michael Atherton. And let's not forget the uniquely brilliant Martin Brundle and the unfussy, easy-going link man in Jake Humphrey.

Rest assured, Formula 1 will arrive on Sky in 2012 with a self-proclaimed fanfare like you have never seen - whether they can justify this through their chosen team is something I will be awaiting with fascination.