Sky Sports F1 Tour, by Jordan Hamilton

I was unable to attend the Sky Sports F1 tour which took place on Friday 2nd March. Instead someone who did attend, @Formula1_com twitter account owner, Jordan Hamilton has written up a brief over view of what happened and what they found out.

(c) Sky Sports F1

The journey was made, once again, down to Osterley head of Sky Corporation. Upon arrival we were taken into an outhouse where we waited for the rest of the party to arrive, before James Elms came and collected us and guided us into the Sky Sports and Sky Sports Formula 1 building....

The first part of the tour was up by Sky Sports News where we were met by head of Sky Sports News Andy Cairns, who held a 30-40 minute talk about the sport, and what their ambitions are. They then asked us what we think off the whole project to date. We had time to discuss further plans and just what we would like Sky to bring to the sport. 

Once the talk was finished we headed into the Sky Sports News Studio where we got to see, live, exactly what happens behind the scenes and how everything gets pieced together. The amount off people involved in the whole process is beyond belief.

(c) Sky Sports F1

Our second stop was again in the Sky Sports News part of the building where we met Darren Long who is head of productions. He told us about the ambitions they have and what they have so far achieve, as well as future plans. It was fascinating to see what they have in store and what they have planned for their viewers. The talk again lasted a good 40 minutes with quick fire questions being presented to Darren. He was able to go into detail but not reveal too much. 

Owen Williams from the interactive service was next. The interactive service offered by Sky is amazing. On board Cameras, twitter feed, pit lane camera, driver tracker, race situations etc. they have everything covered. They have a quad screen service which enables the user to select 4 different features. Basically giving the user complete control of what they want to watch. 

Caroline McIntosh head of marketing showed us just how they have managed to market such a massive project, with preview clips and inside views from the teams. She showed us how they have utilised the whole Sky Sports F1 website to give the viewer's the best possible experience with interviews with the professionals and insights on what's to come.

Paul Fuller head of presentation for Sky Sports showed us how they have made the most off the various graphics in 2012. Showing us how they stepped up just what the BBC left undone. The graphics are superb and have unique features. They have made everything also on a larger scale to improve everything for the viewer, such as the final results table and championship standing tables. This is a much more pleasant experience and a lot easier for the brain to focus on the results. The track guides, driver/team information as well as technical features is unbelievable. The detail is fantastic and the graphics beyond belief. They really have done a great job utilising the full range of technology available as well as developing certain hidden features with the teams.

They are set to announce the opening scene and theme Wednesday or Thursday next week.

The final part off the tour was in the magazine studio where we got to see a full tour off the touchscreen software which is fantastic. Georgie Thompson gave us a quick tour off its track guide, driver, team and technical features as well as its weather forecast. She also gave us an overview off the virtual reality car where we got to see the 2012 Mclaren in 3D, pan and zoom around the car and look up certain features. Amazing source off technology you have to see it to believe it. 

Before leaving we got to get to grips with the virtual car which will be shown on many magazine shows. The camera imports a 3D which can be seen on the TV screen and can then be controlled I.e. rotated and zoomed in on certain areas. This will be used in the magazine show enabling Georgie, Anthony and Ted to get up and personal with a virtual car. It really is amazing technology and you have to again see it to believe it.