SAFETY FIRST: Spanish team HRT driver Pedro de la Rosa denied reports that the team’s financial troubles have left it without spare parts for the cars and they won’t be safe to race. The team has been put up for sale.
De la Rosa said he hadn’t heard reports about dangerous cars until asked about them in the drivers’ news conference.
“All I can say is that we might be modest, we are small and we are what we are. But we are a professional Formula One team and for sure when we start running it’s because the car is safe,” de la Rosa said. “I’m experienced enough …. you know, I would never jump into an unsafe car because of parts being too old. So no, the answer is the car is slow but it’s safe.”
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NBC BROADCAST TEAM: Leigh Diffey (play-by-play), David Hobbs (analyst) and Steve Matchett (analyst) will be the new broadcast team for the NBC Sports Group’s Formula One coverage in 2013, the network announced.
Diffey, Hobbs and Matchett have worked together for several years covering Formula One for the cable channel Speed. Diffey has called Formula One races in the U.S. and internationally. Hobbs is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame and a veteran racing commentator of 30 years. Matchett is a former Formula One mechanic. The pit reporter has not been named.
“We are privileged to add not one, not two, but three experienced and respected voices to our Formula One coverage,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “Leigh, David and Steve are all gifted storytellers, who live and breathe F1.”
NBC Sports Group announced last month a four-year deal with Formula One for the exclusive U.S. media rights, which will provide over 100 hours of programming across NBC and cable channel NBC Sports Network. The contract ends Speed’s 17-year run as Formula One’s U.S. rights holder.
Diffey will also call IndyCar races on NBC Sports Network, replacing Bob Jenkins who retired this year. The rest of the IndyCar broadcasting crew will not be changed.
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