Otherwise detained in London, a rare weekend free from attending a grand prix live allowed me the unusual pleasure of watching Sky’s coverage as the action unfolded in China.
I usually rerun the televised action on my return, but I never have it in my ear or watch the feed when I am at a race. This has a disadvantage, namely that you miss out on access to bundles of information Sky garner from their team out in the field. It has the advantage – if you can call it such – that at least I can make up my own mind about what is going on, uncluttered by the views of TV group think, and report it as I see it, which I have always thought is the point of being there.
Anyway, tuning in on Sunday morning, the star of the show to my mind was Nico Rosberg. He was in the commentary box with my old pal David Croft, the lead commentator, and the very slight tension between the two made for a successful calling of the race.
Rosberg can be disdainful. Crofty is always matey. And the collision of styles worked.
Rosberg’s task might have been daunting because he was standing in for no less than Martin Brundle, who holds the honour of succeeding Murray Walker as Formula One’s voice, and, sometimes, its conscience.
Nico Rosberg was the star of Sky Sports coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend
The 2016 world champion stepped in for Martin Brundle, who is now only travelling to 16 races
Rosberg possesses rare credibility when praising or criticising F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton
