³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Tough choice - I would like to see the 1980 GP please.
By that stage the Ground Effect cars were well developed and the sight of them running through Signes without lifting should be good.

1979 would be fine too - great big rear tyres that year - great !

Nice selection Andrew! 1979 or 1980 for me please - they seem a little more exciting than watching a bunch of cars run out of fuel ;)
(didn't you show the 1982 Detroit race last year - or was that the Long Beach '83 one?)

Great blog !!!!
Tough tough choices If it was a vote i'd go for 82, 17th to 1st - magic

1980 french GP please, I dont think I've ever seen it.

Detroit '82 sounds worth a look

No competition, San Marino 1985.(On Freeview)

'79 Dutch GP I never saw any GP's before 1984 so never saw Villeneuve before he died.

1985 for me please. Love races that go down to the wire and are dramatic for all sorts of reasons. A classic track too (assuming its Imola).

(Andrew - a bit of reverse psychology for the freeview controller - demand that he shows Weekend Wogan and CBeebies all week, 24/7, and tell him you DON'T want Classic F1 shown on the red button under any circumstances. I reckon its then a Cert that he'll put it on, based on past experience).

Cheers - great selection and a great feature on top of the faultless ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ coverage.

I'd love to see anything with the great Gilles in it...

But what about the battle between Villeneuve and Arnoux in Dijon - banging wheels all the way round the final laps. Or Mansell/Piquet at Silverstone in '87...? I guess you've shown these greats already this season, and thanks for the memories...

1985 San Marino please! Despite being 7 at the time, I still have a dim memory of the race :)

1985 San Marino Grand Prix please Andrew.

Very tough choice, but I'm going to go for..........San Marino 85.

Nice selection - shame that we have to choose only one as the others will remain 10 minute highlight videos forever! I have no preference as they are all old videos and will add to my education of F1 races before my time.

1985! is my top choice.

All good choices but I would have to go for San Marino 1985, purely because it sounds like a great race and I have not seen it before.

I'd really like to see France 1980 for extended highlights please - it sounds the best of these choices, Imola 85 really was all about who conserved fuel the best, and I never liked Detroit as a circuit for 1982. Holland 1979 sounds good but we've already had two extended highlights from 1979 this year but nothing from 1980.

Oooh, John Watson at Detroit 1982 was amazing. In the book Overdrive he talks about time slowing down for him from a third of the way through the race, enabling him to drive that much quicker than the rest: 'If you believe in destiny or predetermined outcomes it's as if this is just your day...'

What, no Belgian GP 1998 requests?? People have come to their senses!

Joking aside, tough old choice this. Would be good to see fellow Ulsterman Watson and his Detroit win but i'm also a Gilles fan and his three-wheeling antics were mental, so i'll pick 1979 Dutch GP please!

1978 South African or 1985 South African are good.

Fantastic choice. Apsolutely fantastic. I would like to see Zandvoort 79, please. Though I wouldn't be too upset to see any of the above.

No question for me. The 1979 race at Zandvoort. Villeneuve on 3 wheels who woudnt want to see it? Comment 18 I think you might have let your mouth go a bit early they'll start up now mate.

1982 please, I've seen 1979 loads of times.

Great choices; thanks again Andrew. This series is by far the highlight for me of race weekends at dismal new circuits like Sing-o-poor.

I'll plump for France '80 - I love those Williams and Ligiers; and a great battling win for Jones. I've read that the desire to beat the French teams on home soil was due to the feeling by most British teams that good old Balestre and FISA were attempting to ensure French title success, after the previous race in Spain, won by Jones, had been scratched from the championship. Everyone arrived in France sure that the straight-line speed of the Renaults and Ligiers would guarantee victory...

Great choices Andrew!

I'd go with Detroit. John Watson has largely become a forgotten man and I and everyone else could do with a reminder that when it came to overtaking, he was as good as Our Nige and Hamilton.

Nice to share your 'breaking the cherry' moment. For me, even though I've watched various races here and there, it didn't get serious till the 1991 British GP and was completely hooked by Mansell Mania!

Really tough to choose this week! Has to be Detroit 82 though. Just. Would be happy to see any of them.

Great selection. Don't mind which one is chosen, although I must admit it would be nice to see a race from Imola again. So, for the 'popular vote', I will go for San Marino '85....just!

San Marino '85 please- great circuit and a mad finish. I seem to remember Muuray's commentary over the final couple of laps being a particularly special brand of vintage Walker. Every time a car runs out of fuel and splutters to a stop he goes up another octave- brilliant stuff on and off the track.

For me, it has to be 1985 San Marino.

To see that great track before they messed up the layout (after Senna's death) would be truly remarkable.

One of the all time great circuits and to see Johansson, Prost, de Angelis and Sena all vying for a win once again would be awesome.

Would love to see 1982 Detroit Grand Prix - not seen this one.

Whichever is the last one. That's my favourite.

Some great selections and I genuinely have no preference but please please can the powers that be allow it to be showed on freeview.
It's getting highly frustrating to be told that there is no space for it on the red button only to see 3 days of the tweenies singing instead.
Not getting at you Andrew but I hope comments like this can give you some ammo when you are looking for air time.

great selection here andrew shame nothin from the 90s like pacific or portugal but im really not complaining id go for 1980 france please great season and id like to see full highlights for that race

great feature, one of the best the bbc has

This is another toughie Andrew since I remember both the Dutch Grand Prix of 1979 and San Marino 1985 very well. Even remember what I was doing on those days. I'd be happy to view either with Zandvoort 1979 just a shade ahead on preference. Seeing that track again and especially Giles's heroism would bring back many fond memories.

France 1980 please

Must be Monza 1971 the closest finish ever

I dunno - I dunno - I dunno! I need time to think! Lemme think!

Okay, okay. I've got it. Wattie's Burn from the Stern in Detroit, 1982, okay?!

Look, I've done what you want - now PLEASE, will you give me back my children? I promise never to criticise the excellent service Classic F1 gets on Freeview again.

O Maria, Lella, Davina! Did the nasty man hurt you?
What?!
He showed you HOW MANY hours of C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Extra and Sports News Loop?! Ohhh the humanity...

[F1 Preview - F1 Classic. Freeview ch 301 23:00 - 06:50. It was worth it.]

Addendum to 36.
That's next Thursday, by the way. Whether it will still be there by then is another matter.

1982

Has to be Monaco 1996 for me!

Schumacher taking pole, then crashing on the first few laps, Olivier Panis winning, Hill looking certain to win until his engine blows, 3 car pile up involving a very annoyed Eddie Irvine, etc etc.

Awsome race!

I'd love to see San Marino 85 please although this time round any will do. I'm very fond of early 80s F1.

The 1985 grand prix is the one i would choose...

Holland 79 because I was there and still a vivid memory. But what about Britain 95 Schumacher and Hill collide and Johnny Herbert wins. As a long time Herbert fan I was cheering like mad at Club as everyone else sat down. Got a picture of Johnny on the slowing down lap waving which I got him to sign and is still on my wall after all this time. A great win for a great talent and a nice guy as well. Happy days there was quite a party on the campsite that night......

1979 all the way. Go GV

1982 or 1985. Both sound like brilliant races!

1980 would be nice to see, thanks.

Great races all. 1980 was a great victory that I would have great pleasure seeing again, please.

BELGIAN GRAND PRIX – 1998

Caused may dramas such as when schumacher came up to lap coulthard :(, jugded his move wrong and crashed into him.

BELGIUM 98 PLZ!!!!! No, I joke, I joke... seriously =]

Any of those would be good to be honest (and for once I'll actually be watching all of them!) but I'll go for Detroit '92 extended please ^_^

1980 sounds great for british pride (thanks Aus ;-) This article & a few comments got me thinking, it'd be an amazing thread to here how everyone got hooked on F1, i guess it'd be such a personal thing. For me it was Schumacher winning the 98 British GP in the pits, i thought who is the mad-man breaking the rules and getting away with it!!! I'd never seen a race before and don't recall why i watched that one, but i've not missed one since!

I well remember 85 as i thought Arrows had got their first ever win with Boutsen, a fave of mine, however I did remember the race to be boring until the last few laps, so I'll go for Detroit as Watty's charge is amazzing

Andrew I hate to disrespect you as an "F1 journalist" but the greatest race isn't even on your shortlist!!!!!

1993 at Donnington was the greatest F1 race ever. Watching Senna outclass each and every driver in the field is just sheer F1 heaven!

Then you've got the races that produced iconic moments, like the duel between Senna and Mansell at Barcelona in 1991. And again in Monaco where Mansell was pretty much behind Senna all the race trying to everything to overtake him (same year I think or possibly earlier or later, can't recall at this point?).

Then you've got more recent races with Herr Cobbler coming from the back to win in a FIAT, Suzuka one year springs to mind iirc.

The races you have picked are insignificant, virtually no-one remembers them. You might as well show races from the 50's, if the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ had any footage of them, and this is what this is about isn't it? What footage the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have, and considering ITV only had F1 for 12 years I would imagine the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have quite an extensive collection of F1 footage they could be showing, instead of this paltry serving each race.

Hell I'd even pick Damon Hill almost winning at Hungaroring in an Arrows over the selections you've made.

If I had to choose one I guess it'd be the 1985 Imola round, you can't wrong with a race with Senna in it.

As for the highlights of last years Singapore race, pffft. Why would anyone want to watch highlights of a gimmick race that is only on the calendar because they bunged Bernie a few million $ and has been the scene of some very major race fixing.

I wonder if Ferrari will try something to liven up this weekend. Hmm.

gotta be "85 for me nice selection and at no 51 most everyone has seen donnington 93 a few times that's probably why it's not up there at a guess.

@52 - probably. But even these selections pale in comparison with some of the footage the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ (Mr Benson himself?) could have chosen to show.

It just HAS to be the 1993 European GP at Donnington Park - Slicks, Turbos and a zillion horsepower saw Senna powerslide his way with preternatural ability around the rain soaked track, to an awe inspiring victory.

tough choice but i would have to go for 1982 Detroit Grand Prix

Suzuka 1996 Damon Hill Winning the title please, other than I don't know or Portugal 1996...

We've already had the 1993 European Grand Prix, watch highlights here:


For the poster asking for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, watch highlights here:


This has been the hardest vote for me of the past 2 years, some great candidates. But in the end it has to be 82 Detroit, a brilliant race and a brilliant win.

All races sound great to watch in their own right, unfortunately was not even alive for 3 of them and less than year old for the last choice. I personally would love to see the drama unfold towards the end of the San Marino GP 85 please.

In order of preference:
1985
1979
1982

:)

Can't you just show all of them in full! Great selection, probably the best so far.

If I was pushed id have to say 1979, but they are all great races.

Brad

Number 51, please read how these selections work!! All the races you have mentioned have previously been shown on this great series!! Before every grand prix there is usually a selection to choose from, from classic grand prix from that country. If it is a more recent race without much history a selection is provided from tracks which no longer feature on the Formula 1 calendar. If you had taken the time to read Andrews blog you would have realised this, rather than mindlessly criticising his journalism!

And by the way Mansell was behind Senna for the last few laps after pitting with an expected puncture after leading most of the race, and it was 1992.

And I don’t recall Schumacher ever winning from the back in a Ferrari, he won from 15th in a Benetton at Spa in 95, but I don’t remember one in a Ferrari, correct me if I am wrong though.

Would love the chance to see 82 Detroit.. Never seen John Watson drive and this would be a great way to start !!

They all sound great :)

I'm gonna vote for 1982 Detroit race, I don't believe i've seen any highlights from that track and the race sounds really intresting.

1985

Detroit 1982 please, I'm too young to remember any of them but from the description it sounds like this race would benefit most from having extended highlights.

Really tough choice so i flipped a coin and its 85.

85 imola race for me thank you... sounds awesome

Easy choice--Detroit '82

51. ravenmorpheus2k wrote: "Andrew I hate to disrespect you as an "F1 journalist" but the greatest race isn't even on your shortlist!!!!!" (and it goes on).

I guess you're new at this. At the risk of repeating Bradley Sargeant (61), this is how it works: AB makes a selection, we get to discuss it (and other stuff sometimes), and then someone who might not be AB himself decides which one gets the full treatment regardless of popular feeling. Once a race has been on the list, whether it got the full highlights repeat or not, it doesn't get listed again. So the term 'classic' is used more in relation to a race's age rather than it's quality, so eventually you will get left with the USGP of 2005 and watching obese Septics lobbing beer cans.

You state that the greatest race is Eur93. Actually, *in your opinion* the greatest race is Eur93. My opinion, and maybe that of others, is that Eur93 is very very good, but maybe Ita69, or Ita71, is just as good, and possibly better. Only, I don't tell our host how to do his job at the same time.

Now play nice.

Oh dear what to do, I would love to see then all. No. 51 tut tut.

Hopefully next year AB will show classic seasons starting with 82 and 85. Back to the point, the race that got me hooked was monaco 84 oh the the pain. My vote has to go for 79 or 80, I have good coverage from 82 on the review vids from duke video and to be honest pre 82 are a bit poor.

Andrew show them all, forget sing o poor (No.23, made me chuckle)

Some excellent choices Andrew, this really is a difficult decision.

My choice is 1982 Detroit, '82 was a very competetive if somewhat tragic season, and the championship was a very close fought thing IIRC.

It's been mentioned before, but you can see EVERY single race (short and long highlights) that has been shown on this Classic race blog over the last 2 year on this link :-)

If a race can only be listed once as a candidate for highlights replay, pretty soon all that will be on offer is the previous year's race at the same (or comparable) venue - since such races could not possibly have been highlighted.

Considering the pretence (surely it is not true?!) that popular opinion sways the decision, if someone at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is paid to wade through the mire of some of the responses, then the licence fee is well-deserved.

As for including the San Marinese GP from 1985, the up-sum at Andrew Benson makes clear that the outcome isn't even decided on the track - given the current tsunami of sentiment against regulatory interventions, a poor choice indeed (although it shows that cheating by tech-wizards is nothing new).

Because I have no interest in seeing it again, I vote for 1980 France - my 100% track record of beinbg ignored must surely continue, and I might get to see something worth watching....

73. Innocent Bystander wrote: "If a race can only be listed once as a candidate for highlights replay, pretty soon all that will be on offer is the previous year's race..."

Yeah, that was kind of my tongue-in-cheek point (69 above - oo-er!), that eventually you get left with the bottom of the barrel, when some real corkers early on didn't get the coverage they deserved. After that, as you say, it's just the previous year's race, and we're getting those already as well. It's an inherent flaw.

However, is it better than nothing? On balance I think it is, but that's not to say it couldn't be improved.

Forgotten about/don't know about/never seen overtaking? First choice has got to be Detroit 1982 without a shadow of doubt, just like the following year at Long Beach. Second choice is 1979 Dutch GP. Zandvoort was a great circuit and is unknown to younger viewers [though the race result that year wasn't brilliant for me - I was there]

'80

1985 pleasee

Lots to talk about here this week!

First of all my choice would be anything other than 1982 as I already have the highlights for that season on DVD. So, if pressed, my order is:

1985 as would have missed the race due to playing cricket

1980 as loved the Paul ricard circuit from playing chequered flag on my zc spectrum - used to pass everyone on the one mile straight!
1979 as ditto zandvoort and from the first season of grand prix on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Was going to continue, before the iPhone went weird by saying it would be nice to have two of the above with full highlights over the singapore race from last year. Have to also say the the 1993 euro gp wasn't a great race, it just features the all time great lap from ayrton senna. The rest of the race was a bit of a procession in awful Easter Sunday weather save for some pit lane antics featuring Alain Prost.

To address the other theme, my formula one cherry was broken in 1981 during the Belgian gp I believe - it gave me nightmares for a bit, as mechanic was run over at the start of the race (another died from an accident the previous day) but introduced me to an exciting, dangerous and unpredictable world

1979 and Villeneuve on 3 wheels! Never seen this race before.

1980 at Paul Ricard please Andrew, I would love to see the old signes and the Mistral sraight in its former glory, although '79 sounded great too!

1979 Dutch GP please-

2011 F1 Drivers Line-Up:
McLaren; Button, Hamilton
Red Bull: Vettel, Webber
Ferrari: Massa, Alonso
Williams: Barrichello, Hulkenburg
Renault: Kubica, Sutil
Force India: Di Resta, Liuzzi
Toro Rosso: Buemi, Alguersuari
Lotus: Kovalainen, Trulli
Hispania: Either Senna,Klien,Chandhok,Villeneuve,DeLaRosa,Yamamoto
Sauber: Kobayashi, Heidfeld/Bianchi
Virgin Racing: Glock, Di Grassi

Sorry forgot-
Mercedes: Schumacher, Rosberg or someone else if Schumacher has had enough.,

I'll take 1979 on 3 wheels please but if it's 1980 I won't be disappointed.

"74. At 5:36pm on 17 Sep 2010, Kif wrote:
73. Innocent Bystander wrote: "If a race can only be listed once as a candidate for highlights replay, pretty soon all that will be on offer is the previous year's race..."

Yeah, that was kind of my tongue-in-cheek point (69 above - oo-er!), that eventually you get left with the bottom of the barrel, when some real corkers early on didn't get the coverage they deserved. After that, as you say, it's just the previous year's race, and we're getting those already as well. It's an inherent flaw.

However, is it better than nothing? On balance I think it is, but that's not to say it couldn't be improved."

----------------

That's pretty much my point as well.

But as usual people disregard a view that is against the norm or the rules as someone complaining or trolling and blindly carry on...

Please show 82 and 85 it are 2 of my favourite races.

1979 please Andrew, this really was one of the all time classics!

Wow - what a choice. All of them ? :-)

Ok - maybe 1979 Dutch GP please (followed by French 1980 and then 1982 Detroit if you're counting votes .... ).

Anything where Gilles Villeneuve figures prominently is always going to be my first choice - unless Ronnie Peterson is an option (France 1974 / Austria 1978 would be good !). Actually, I noticed that South Africa 1978 was mentioned by someone - that'd do too .....

1980

A very difficult choice, and a brilliant selection.
I think I'd go for 1982 and Watson. I never really saw any of his races as I wasn't into Grand Prix until Mansell came along. I new Watson was good but I had never realised that he was THAT impressive. It would be good to see his moves!!!
If it hadn't been for that then I'd have gone for 1985 - I remember seeing the end of the race on that nights ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ news - what incredible circumstances. Can you imagine anything like that happening now....

85. At 2:55pm on 20 Sep 2010, ravenmorpheus2k wrote: " That's pretty much my point as well. But as usual people disregard a view that is against the norm or the rules as someone complaining or trolling and blindly carry on..."

If that is so, then you had best re-read your original posting (51.), as it bears little resemblance to that line of argument.

Had you read and understood the nature of this blog (as also noted by Bradley [61]), then you would not have detailed other races to have been considered for inclusion which could not be, and presented opinion as fact, while at the same time impugning the professional credentials of AB.

It is not that your view was disregarded, given the other reactions that it provoked, but that any point you may have been making was couched with such hectoring and ill-grace. That is what seems to have upset people with posting 51.

For one race (may be Korea with no Hist.) can we have an Osterreichring (Austria) race. I recall the Benettons of Fabi and Berger leading one year, pulling away, and then boom....both cars blowing in the same lap. Another year it took 3 starts. This was an amazing track, quick, undulating and always action from what I remember. I know its not so simple designing a track with run offs, viewpoints etc....but Mr Tilke needs to take a look at tracks like this for Austin (although the provisional plans look good for Austin)
Can i just say that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ coverage we get today is awesome. I've been addicted to F1 since 1986 and we are so privileged nowadays, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ do a great job in my opinion. I can remember phoning an 0898 No (F1 I promise!!) to see who was the quickest in practice in the late 80's on a Fri and Sat. Sorry if your reading dad- it was me:) First went to a GP in 86 as a 9 year old and hooked since then.
The website and articles and stories from each presenter after the GP weekend are great and keep me sane eating lunch each day. That includes Andrew, Mark H and Sarah too. Martin Brundle will go down as a legend in my view. Great insight always and Grid Walks are pure genius. Oh and Lee Mckenzie's needs to be in front of the camera more. Jake your good and you've taken to it like a duck to water, but Lee's fantastic and knows her stuff also....oh and I'm sure Schuey fancies her. Check him out when he talks to her!

1979 Dutch Grand Prix please Andrew! =D

Hi Everyone,

There seems to be a lot of you asking for the old races. Well guess what ? I have them, ALL of them. 1978 to 2010 Every single race and qualifying session ever transmitted on British TV.

Plus loads of F1 races from the 1930s to 1970s. They are mostly on VHS cassette and DVD. I put a transcoded high quality DVD version of them on a pair of 2000 gb usb hard drives.

So if anyone would like a FREE complete collection of every single F1 race email me at senna-fan@hotmail.co.uk
Senna-fan

First choice 1980, second choice 1979.

I second the sentiment that it'd be great to see some Austrian races.
Keep up the good work AB.

1979 or 1980 please, but all great choices. Thanks again Andrew to you and all who work on this, one of the best parts of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ F1 offering.

Detroit 1982

# 54 ... I dont remember turbos being around in '93 ..... very funny comment tho ha ha!!

oh and # 51 you are a complete idiot , 1985 please

Hi all, 85 please - any race from what I think is the 'golden era' (about 85-95) will usually get my vote as it features some of the best F1 drivers of all time. Having said that though Imola gives me the creeps, but as its before 94 thats OK. I guess '79 will win though because of Villeneuves antics, I have to be honest Ive seen a few races from his (sadly) short career, and while he was undeniably fast and had raw, natural talent (unlike Jacques), he could also be dangerous, some would say foolhardy - for me Senna will always be the best and Schumacher not far off. Maybe its generational thing as it seems your age usually dictates your personal hero - apparently Murrays is Tazio Nuvolari, and I guess if youre under 50 youve probably never heard of him. Finally kudos to the red button schedulers for listing this on the Freeview EPG, I do genuinely feel sorry for the rough treatment theyve received as I used to only have Freeview and it kind of undoes the good work you and the rest of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖs F1 web team do on this feature.

Cheers