When Eddie Jordan met The Stig
Morning everyone, thanks for your messages yesterday. And, 'pSynrg', no doubt a bit of "my driver's better than yours" will follow - an aspect I really enjoy about F1, actually. And as of today there are two more drivers on the grid for you all to discuss this coming season.
'justbubba'...the fishcakes turned out really well (secret ingredients were capers and boiled egg... fantastic) and even better was the White Horse and the London Pride that followed!
One thing about our new coverage I'm really looking forward to is working with and on a regular basis. I'd be interested to get your thoughts, too.
DC has a fantastic sense of humour, incredible knowledge and as I've learned over the past few weeks as I've got to know him he can incredibly well.
As for EJ, well, if our day at the Top Gear track is anything to go by he is going to be cracking entertainment. We were doing a piece for Top Gear Grand Prix 09 magazine as 'Stars in the reasonably priced car'. Boy, that is erm... different!
was incredibly good at guiding us around the track, looked cracking in her helmet, I was addicted to the Scotch Eggs on offer in the very-unglamorous Top Gear Portakabin and EJ absolutely threw the little blue rocket around the track...not necessarily facing the right direction all the time and not always sticking to the tarmac, but if it had been filmed for the show it would have gone down as legend and most corners would have now been renamed 'Jordan'.
I'd better not give away who was the quickest but I can tell you that after Eddie's lap I'd be surprised if the car didn't need a new handbrake.
Have a good day and a top weekend guys!
Jake x
Welcome to my blog where I will be sharing all the insider news, uploading videos and photos throughout the 2012 F1 season. I've spent the past 10 years at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ working for Children's ´óÏó´«Ã½, hosting Olympic games, World Cups and Sports Personality of the Year. Have a read and please feel free to share your thoughts.
Comment number 1.
At 6th Mar 2009, FreddyOfGreggs wrote:Great stuff Jake, good to hear about the fishcakes being OK.
Out of interest, was it the black stig or the white stig? I know you won't be able to tell us totally..But it's worth a crack!
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Comment number 2.
At 6th Mar 2009, Dave wrote:Hi Jake, thanks for the blog. ;)
Does this mean there will be a special Top Gear F1 programme then? If so, I'd love it to be within the next month in the run-up to the season. ;)
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Comment number 3.
At 6th Mar 2009, noseybetty wrote:Hi Jake, thanks for the update on the 'teambuilding' with the new ´óÏó´«Ã½ F1 team, and I hope you didn't scoff too many scotch eggs!
Quick question about the Beeb coverage, what sort of exclusives will you be getting? Interviews with drivers that other networks won't have? A peek in the back of the team garages? Would be great for you to get right in the thick of things during each weekend so we can really understand what is happening off the track and what impact its having on track.
Thx
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Comment number 4.
At 6th Mar 2009, fergaljpc wrote:good blog and glad to see that someone at the bbc understands blogging and is prepared to front up to the sometimes critical readers.
I'd agree that EJ and square jaw will give insightful views into F1 in terms of cockpit and pit lane, maybe Eddie will lift the lid on his relationship with Bernie, better than the dross on itv too with the constant commercial interruptions.
good luck Jake and i won't blow a kiss!!!x
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Comment number 5.
At 6th Mar 2009, Andrew wrote:I really can't wait for DC and EJ to get stuck in, they are not exactly known for being meek and quiet on issues. Make sure you have a large swear jar somewhere in the studio!!
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Comment number 6.
At 6th Mar 2009, connors-75 wrote:just out of interest Jake..what kind of car do you drive?
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Comment number 7.
At 6th Mar 2009, OllieWoods wrote:Gits.. always wanted to drive the TG test track after doing a Greenpower race there a couple of years ago! Looking forward to the show.
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Comment number 8.
At 6th Mar 2009, Toon-Monkey wrote:Jake. I like many other on message boards feel that you are the weak link in the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s coverage but I'm willing top give you a chance and hope you've learned something about presenting since your poor stints during the Euro's and Sports. Can you please reassure us? Cheers
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Comment number 9.
At 6th Mar 2009, Scorfix wrote:Speaking to a few of my fellow F1 followers over the years and we always thought DC would be good value as a pundit once he decided to hang his helmet up!
Apart from giving Mr Schumacher a certain hand gesture whilst negotiating the Melbourne hairpin at Magny Cours (I think?), other clues where his race radio snippets including the classic....
(Pits) Hows the car?
(DC) It's down on power, It doesn't like corners, the brakes are rubbish...other than that everythings fine!!!
Top Man!!
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Comment number 10.
At 6th Mar 2009, Johnnytigs wrote:Nice one Jake
Glad to see the Beeb doing F1 again, looking forward to Eddies lap on Top Gear. Hoping for a really open F1 season with lots of surprises.
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Comment number 11.
At 6th Mar 2009, justbubba wrote:I think DC is great value although you may wish to invest in a bleep machine for those times when he gets over excited!!!!
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Comment number 12.
At 6th Mar 2009, StalledRamirez wrote:Hi Jake
Contrary to a couple of posters I think you'll be great for F1 coverage.
I too think DC and EJ will be excellent pundits and it's great Martin Brundle is still on board.
Ps - like the jacket in the pic above, where's it from?
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Comment number 13.
At 6th Mar 2009, Ben Jones wrote:ha nice one jako
u dont know when top gear is returning by any means do you? i missed pretty much all of the last series. shame.
what was your reaction to finding out that (honda) BrawnGP were finally going to make it to the grid?
best wishes
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Comment number 14.
At 6th Mar 2009, Daniel Hudson wrote:Hi Jake!
Nice to see you had fun at the TG test track. Unfortunately, I think the closest I'll ever come to racing on it will be on Gran Turismo 5 when it's released!
Can I just say as a HUGE F1 fan it's great to see it back on the ´óÏó´«Ã½, though ITV did a brilliant job with the coverage. My favourite bits had to be the fact that they ditched the studio format and presented from the pit lane, which I felt brought the fans much closer to the heart of F1, and of course Martin Brundle's gridwalks!
I hope both of these are retained for the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s coverage!
Good luck with the new job Jake!
P.S. Quick question, which car livery is your favourite for the 2009 cars?
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Comment number 15.
At 6th Mar 2009, Jake Humphrey wrote:Evening,
I forgot to tell you how secretive that Top Gear lot are. The Stig NEVER speaks outside the car, NEVER takes off his helmet, and ONLY answers questions about the timed lap aqnd NOTHING else. I was hoping to find out his identity...alas friends that information remains between him and the Lacetti!
I enjoyed reading Nick Heidfeld's comment on our F1 site, he's obviously delighted about slicks, just like the rest of the grid. Of the main reg changes(KERS, slicks, reduced aero) what do you think will make the biggest change to the spectacle??
A few questions have popped up throughout the day...
'Scorfix' - I think we've only scratched the surface with how informative and entertaining DC can be. It's up to us to put him and EJ at ease in front of a TV camera and let them chat away about a sport they both love - I think their banter could become legendary.
'connors-75'. I'm afraid I wouldn't make Jeremy Clarkson's cool wall as I drive a convertible BMW(330 Sport). My first car, and I'll explain the story of how it came to be another time if you all want me to, was a free Lotus Elise that I drove for a few months. Being a Norfolk lad I have a soft spot for Lotus who's factory at Hethel is a stones throw from where I grew up. Not only are they, and Colin Chapman a huge part of F1's history but they make cracking cars too...what I'd give to have the cash for a new Lotus Evora come the summer...that's some car!
'noseybetty' - we'll be going all guns blazing come Melbourne have no fear. Charming the right people, getting to know the players in the paddock and hopefully securing the most comprehensive driver/racing coverage you could want...lots online here too! Trust me, if something unfolds in the pits that is going to have a serious effect on the racing we'll do our best to report it.
'Toon-Monkey', thanks for your comment. Here's hoping you're converted come March!!!! The whole team, me included, will be doing their very best to make the coverage fresh, different, dynamic and informative, hope you appreciate our hard work and it becomes must watch TV most weekends.
Have a great Friday night everyone, see you Monday...hey...20 days and counting...!
Jake xx
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Comment number 16.
At 6th Mar 2009, SchmidtyT wrote:"aqnd NOTHING else"
ahem ;)
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Comment number 17.
At 6th Mar 2009, FreddyOfGreggs wrote:Interesting you say Jake, everyone will be looking forward to the slicks.. Well, yes, I think we are, and by a and large the drivers will be too..
But Adrian Sutil has voiced his concerns about how badly, and how quickly, the modern slicks grain and get worn down easily.. A large problem over the last years is how graining makes it harder to overtake.. So here's hoping it's not a problem for the drivers..
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Comment number 18.
At 6th Mar 2009, 02oxfordm wrote:Hey Jake. Im from Suffolk and live near to the lotus track. i too have a big soft spot for he lotus. For passing my driving test my instuctor is taking me around in one to test drive.
I think you are in the wrong business all the money is in Driving Instructing!
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Comment number 19.
At 6th Mar 2009, connors-75 wrote:A free lotus elise? how did you swing that mate? my first car was a peugeot 106 diesel! ha so spill the beans and talk me through how you drove a free lotus
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Comment number 20.
At 6th Mar 2009, Matt wrote:What's with the kiss at the end?
I can't see you getting in your (mostly) greasey audience's goodbooks with rotten behaviour like that!
Good luck for the season though.
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Comment number 21.
At 6th Mar 2009, wyrdsis wrote:Hi Jake
Looking forward to following your blog and can't wait till the new season starts. It's fantastic to have F1 back at the beeb which means uninterrupted coverage, although it also means no excuse for making a cuppa or nipping to the loo.
Sounds like you all had a great laugh at the Top Gear track. Scotch Eggs...yuck! And I thought I was the weird one lol
Have a great weekend.
xxx
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Comment number 22.
At 6th Mar 2009, HNMonster wrote:MR HUMPHREY!! Don't be so rude about Lee McKenzie! I bet she's in tears reading your post "Lee looked great... WEARING HER HELMET". Crikey! You sure know how to charm the ladies!!
How rude! I think you owe Lee a few drinks at the bar in Melbourne for that insult!!
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Comment number 23.
At 6th Mar 2009, pSynrg wrote:Jake, I see where you are coming from of course. A 'bit' of banter about fave drivers is of course mandatory! Indeed I sit happily at the alter of Hamilton and all his so called misdemeanour's to me were just part of the evolution of the perfect driver/champion.
However I am an objective, realistic rationalist - sometimes :)
What I meant, and I'm sure you know this. I hope the blog does not degenerate into being JUST a 'mine is better than yours' shouting match.
I hope for reasoned discussion about F1, the teams, the drivers, the cars, the tech all fuelled of course by passionate discourse!
So far, so good!
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Comment number 24.
At 7th Mar 2009, Jack Bennett wrote:Good Blog Jake! Just wondering, will The Chain be returning as the intro music for F1 on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ again?
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Comment number 25.
At 7th Mar 2009, Dave wrote:@Greencornishjack... The Chain has been confirmed as returning.
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Comment number 26.
At 8th Mar 2009, Vivadan21 wrote:First of all - welcome to F1 Jake!!
Having watched you on C´óÏó´«Ã½ back in the day, and being a commited F1 viewer with ITV for 10 years, I find it intresting that your the presenter for F1 this year and wish you the best.
Ive never seen F1 on the ´óÏó´«Ã½, and it should be good to get the coverage of practices via the red button. Im so watching the first session at 1am friday 27th, im just as excited to see how F1 has chnaged becasue of these new rules.
Having watched your interview with Hamilton, one thing i wasnt sure on after - When do the drivers actually get the world champion trophy? This is the one thing ive never been sure on. Is it the same time every year?
Looking forward to this blog
18 days...
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Comment number 27.
At 8th Mar 2009, awesomeness84 wrote:Hey Jake,
Really looking forward to the up and coming season. I have been watching Formula one since 1998 and I really do think its about time the coverage in this country could do with getting younger people interested in the sport and i really hope the ´óÏó´«Ã½ are going to do just that. But also keeping the likes of Martin's grid walks, cause you have to agree they are the highlight of the build up to a race. I think your gonna do a fantastic job and for the first time for me, watching a race uninterrupted its gonna be an awesome season!!
18 days and counting!!
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Comment number 28.
At 9th Mar 2009, Mr Whoopsie wrote:Hi Jake. Glad to hear it went down so well!
Just one question to follow on a previous question about exclusivities, will Martin Brundle still be doing his infamous Grid Walks? Best aspect of a GP weekend in my opinion!
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Comment number 29.
At 9th Mar 2009, TheWeeMan wrote:Glad to hear the Chain will be back - but where did you hear that?
I remember listening to the Youtube ( mock up that was linked from the Topgear website that a fan put up. The hairs on my arms were all standing up. I cant wait for the new season to start.
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Comment number 30.
At 17th Mar 2009, modtl1 wrote:I've just bought the Top Gear F1 magazine and congratulations are in order Jake. You were fastest!!!!
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