The end of a Formula 1 season brings with it the release of a new review DVD, so how does 2014’s offering stack up against previous products?
The title "It Was Fair" is certainly unusual, but the official F1 2014 review DVD provides fans with a thorough and detailed look back at one of the most dramatic seasons in recent history.
At four hours and 57 minutes long, the DVD is spread over two discs – unlike the 2013 review which was made up of just one – and was released just before Christmas. All 19 races are included on the first disc, with extra footage and features on the second.
The format remains the same as previous DVD releases, with menus that are easy to navigate. Driver profiles continue to be part of the review, and whilst these are useful for more casual F1 fans, the DVD is aimed more at hard-core supporters. I only explored the driver profile area of the release for this review, if I wasn’t writing about it; I doubt I would even take a look.
The 2012 review was slightly disappointing, and some of the small details I disliked about it were rectified for the following release. I feel the quality of last year’s DVD has improved further, with a great range of features, a clear narrative and a more in-depth look at the season as a whole.
The DVD starts off with a fantastic montage briefly looking at the key moments from F1 2014, before moving on to an introduction to the new regulations – an incredibly important part of the review. Graphics and explanations are concise, clear and easy to understand and is followed by an overview of winter testing, which had previously been missed or given very little time in previous releases.
Each race lasts around 10 minutes, although rounds later in the year feel a bit more rushed. Practice does not receive much coverage, but it doesn’t need it, while qualifying is often touched on. Pole position lap commentaries are featured on the extras disc, but I personally preferred them mixed in with the main review. There is little new footage, other than a few radio messages that were not broadcast live.
Ben Edwards continues to provide fantastic commentary, providing a clear and to-the-point narrative of what was a thrilling year of F1 action. Video features from the official F1 app are also used during the review, with James Allen, Gary Anderson and Jennie Gow making appearances.
Some of them are interesting, insightful and help to tell the story of the season. On and off-track headlines are analysed, there are technical pieces and a few interviews with drivers. However, some of these clips would have been better off on the second disc and I would have liked to see more exclusive interviews with current and former drivers, like in 2013’s release.
Mercedes is obviously the main focus of the DVD, with a fascinating and tense battle for the 2014 drivers’ title. Quite a lot of focus was on Lotus early in the review, which I found slightly strange. In general, teams further back don’t get much airtime, but the second disc features more on-board footage from the likes of Caterham and Marussia. Speaking of Marussia, Jules Bianchi’s horrible crash at the Japanese Grand Prix was handled very well and in a tasteful fashion.
Overall, the F1 2014 season review DVD is thorough and in-depth, which may not appeal to casual fans but will be appreciated by die-hard supporters. The quality of the product moved up another level in comparison to the previous release, with a well put together look back at an action-packed year of F1 racing.
F1 2014 DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/2014-FIA-Formula-World-Championship/dp/B00P9E776C
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| © Octane Photographic |
At four hours and 57 minutes long, the DVD is spread over two discs – unlike the 2013 review which was made up of just one – and was released just before Christmas. All 19 races are included on the first disc, with extra footage and features on the second.
The format remains the same as previous DVD releases, with menus that are easy to navigate. Driver profiles continue to be part of the review, and whilst these are useful for more casual F1 fans, the DVD is aimed more at hard-core supporters. I only explored the driver profile area of the release for this review, if I wasn’t writing about it; I doubt I would even take a look.
 |
| © Duke Video |
The 2012 review was slightly disappointing, and some of the small details I disliked about it were rectified for the following release. I feel the quality of last year’s DVD has improved further, with a great range of features, a clear narrative and a more in-depth look at the season as a whole.
The DVD starts off with a fantastic montage briefly looking at the key moments from F1 2014, before moving on to an introduction to the new regulations – an incredibly important part of the review. Graphics and explanations are concise, clear and easy to understand and is followed by an overview of winter testing, which had previously been missed or given very little time in previous releases.
Each race lasts around 10 minutes, although rounds later in the year feel a bit more rushed. Practice does not receive much coverage, but it doesn’t need it, while qualifying is often touched on. Pole position lap commentaries are featured on the extras disc, but I personally preferred them mixed in with the main review. There is little new footage, other than a few radio messages that were not broadcast live.
Ben Edwards continues to provide fantastic commentary, providing a clear and to-the-point narrative of what was a thrilling year of F1 action. Video features from the official F1 app are also used during the review, with James Allen, Gary Anderson and Jennie Gow making appearances.
Some of them are interesting, insightful and help to tell the story of the season. On and off-track headlines are analysed, there are technical pieces and a few interviews with drivers. However, some of these clips would have been better off on the second disc and I would have liked to see more exclusive interviews with current and former drivers, like in 2013’s release.
Mercedes is obviously the main focus of the DVD, with a fascinating and tense battle for the 2014 drivers’ title. Quite a lot of focus was on Lotus early in the review, which I found slightly strange. In general, teams further back don’t get much airtime, but the second disc features more on-board footage from the likes of Caterham and Marussia. Speaking of Marussia, Jules Bianchi’s horrible crash at the Japanese Grand Prix was handled very well and in a tasteful fashion.
Overall, the F1 2014 season review DVD is thorough and in-depth, which may not appeal to casual fans but will be appreciated by die-hard supporters. The quality of the product moved up another level in comparison to the previous release, with a well put together look back at an action-packed year of F1 racing.
F1 2014 DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/2014-FIA-Formula-World-Championship/dp/B00P9E776C
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