Formula 1 2000 - World Championship Review (DVD)

With the 2001 Formula One season having drawn to a close, petrolheads like myself are forced to look for other means of getting our F1 fix. For the first time, the season review of Formula One has been released on DVD, allowing for a far more extensive season guide than has been produced before.

In raw terms the difference is noticeable immediately - the VHS season guides typical feature around two hours of footage; the 2000 season ...
...be viewed independently from the main 'Super' channel, incorporating track views, on-board cameras (OBC) and shots from the pitlane. Alternatively, the interactive feature allows you to flick between shots either from the main 'Super' channel or from an alternative trackside view, an OBC, the pits or the data stream.

It's a great concept but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The menu system is very confusing, forcing you to ... more

With the 2001 Formula One season having drawn to a close, petrolheads like myself are forced to look for other means of getting our F1 fix. For the first time, the season review of Formula One has been released on DVD, allowing for a far more extensive season guide than has been produced before.

In raw terms the difference is noticeable immediately - the VHS season guides typical feature around two hours of footage; the 2000 season DVD has 255 minutes of digital material. Each race can be viewed independently from the main 'Super' channel, incorporating track views, on-board cameras (OBC) and shots from the pitlane. Alternatively, the interactive feature allows you to flick between shots either from the main 'Super' channel or from an alternative trackside view, an OBC, the pits or the data stream.

It's a great concept but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The menu system is very confusing, forcing you to begin by selecting either the interactive or continuous method of viewing. But this screen blends away to the next menu before you get a chance to select an option, leaving only the outline of the previous menu and no way of telling which option you are choosing.

A scene guide for each race is provided but it doesn't seem to work - you very rarely receive the shot you want having chosen it. When moving between scenes as you watch the race you are forced to watch the 'Super' footage before moving onto the next scene, instead of being allowed to flick back and forth between feeds at your own discretion.

This is extremely irritating as the only major flaws with this DVD are basic problems with the way in which it has been put together. A better system needs to be put together for the 2001 DVD - this current one is simply not good enough. You can't even set it to play each Grand Priz after the other with constantly having to wade through menus.

The actual quality of the footage is exceptional. It's all derived from the F1 digital service which really is exceptional - far better than the standard feed we see live in Great Britain. It would be nice to see a little more of the cars further down the field - the focus is very much biased towards McLaren and Ferrari - but with about a quarter of an hour's coverage for each race the review is more extensive than ever before.

It is sad to see that the standard of commentary, as with most F1 season tapes since around 1994, remains low. For some reason a decision was taken in the mid-1990s to have the commentators on these reviews speak in the present tense, which really doesn't work. The uncredited commentator on the 2000 season DVD exudes an irritating sense of false excitement, probably because the whole thing was scripted in an editing room.

Unfortunately the single greatest factor that has a bearing on how good this review is, is how good the 2000 season was. And, as many F1 fans will tell you, it was one of the least exciting for several years. The first half of the season in particular was very processional, with the exception of Britain, Europe and France. The latter, along with the Belgian Grand Prix, are the two best races on the DVD, with genuine overtaking and passing making for great action.

Regardless of whether you're a Schumacher fan or not, the ending really is something of a damp squib. The last four races see an Italian Grand Prix marred by death, the first US GP spoiled by Hakkinen's retirement, and a completely unexciting championship conclusion in Japan. The final race in Malaysia was also utterly forgettable.

I have mixed feelings about this DVD. The quality of coverage is truly exceptional, and for that reason alone it deserves a place in any F1 fan's collection. More detached sports fans may be put off by the poor menu system, dire commentary, and the fact that 2000 was not the most gripping of seasons. I am, however, really looking forward to the 2001 offering.
 

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