F1 on the BBC

Just watching first practice for the Bahrain F1 GP on the BBC's website... impressive coverage - live video stream (plus Radio5 Live commentary if I had speakers) together with the BBC's superb live text service running...

I'm guessing Lewis (I'll have the old wing please) Hamilton must have been running low fuel when he set what (with less than three minutes to go) is the fastest lap of the session. Interesting overlaid video just now of the relative corner speeds through the last couple of turns... Button's Brawn clearly nailed (on rails) round the corners - but Lewis would have the edge on the straight - there's KERS for you!

LIVE! Heidfeld just gone 2nd quickest - then lost it completely into turn 1!!!

Is the 2010 British GP dead and buried?

Autosport are reporting that the 'freeholder' for Donington Park has commenced legal action against leaseholder (and 2010 British Grand Prix rights holder) Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd for unpaid rent!

Just the small sum of about £2.5 million...

Autosport reports:

"It is with great reluctance that we have taken this decision," said Kevin Wheatcroft of Wheatcroft & Son.

"Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd owe us nearly £2.5m in rent dating back to September 2008. Despite receiving numerous reassurances over a number of months they have consistently failed to meet their financial obligations under the terms of the lease.

"We have held off taking legal action for as long as possible but have been left with no choice but to commence proceedings to recover the outstanding rent and forfeit the lease."

2 Grand Prix down

And realistically who'd have thought that Jenson Button would be leading the World Championship - from team mate Rubens Barricello?  Always thought that Honda would come good eventually, just a shame that the guys at the factory had to go through such a stressfull few months before Ross Brawn took over entirely.

Two awesome races from where I was sat (Australia - I was in an hotel at Le Mans, whilst for Malaysia we'd just got home about 6 hours before the start) so all was most interesting!

BBC's coverage (what I've seen) was superb, although not too sure about Eddie Irvine - and DC clearly won't be getting any interviews with John Button (Jenson's dad).

Still some hospitality left for Silverstone in June - see our Silverstone Hospitality website for more details.