Georgie & Simon on the start of a new era

Georgie Thompson and Simon Lazenby give their thoughts on the challenge ahead for Sky Sports F1...

Simon: "Are we ready? We hope so! It's a massive challenge ahead, we know that, but it's incredibly exciting to be involved in a brand new channel and something which is going to be such a big focus of attention this year at Sky." Georgie: "I think this is the most exciting time for Sky Sports since they signed the Premier League television rights. This is a genuinely defining time for Sky Sports and to be part of a brand new channel is a real privilege. " SL: "We know the BBC do a great job but that's part of the challenge that we're taking on. We want to make great broadcasting and take the coverage to a whole new level - and I'm sure that with the team we've got in place we can do that." GT: "It is really exciting to be involved in something right at its beginning, something we can build on from day one. Sky do this sort of thing really, really well and if you look at all the things Sky are synonymous with and all the things that F1 is synonymous with then the two are a really natural fit." SL: "And it's our job to draw on the talent around us..." GT: "The whole point is that we are there to get the best out of people and to bring people into the sport who weren't F1 fans before. And the best thing is to have fun with it - we're a young, dynamic team, we all get on really well behind cameras, as well as in front of them, and I think that will be part of our challenge - to draw on our knowledge of each other and to make the coverage as much fun for the viewer as possible." SL: "The challenge is that we have so much content but the beauty is that we will have so much time to use it. The channel has the moto 'The race is only part of the story' and that's something I know is true just from attending a few races at the end of the season." GT: "That's the thing about F1: it's such a big team sport. People look at the grid and see twenty-four drivers, but that's just such a small part of what the sport is about. There's a huge travelling army that goes everywhere with every team - and that's what we will be trying to capture on the screen. We won't just be there on race weekends, we will be in every element of F1 throughout the course of the season and beyond. We'll be following every breath that is taken and be on top of every story from week to week as opposed to just being there on race weekends." SL: "It's just as well we like hard work!" GT: "Yes! We've never worked this hard before! I'll be hosting a magazine show which will be broadcast every single Friday, whether we are on location or not, and that will be going throughout the season. And then on the weekends I will be Simon's right-hand girl." SL: "But there's so much going on that we won't know what everyone will be doing until it all begins. I'm not even sure we'll be seeing much daylight. It will be planes to hotel rooms to garages and studios..." GT: "Expect some incredible graphics, though. Sky Sports is great at technology but for F1 we're going to an entirely new level." SL: "So is that why you left Sky Sky Sports News?!" GT: "It was quite emotional leaving there after ten years. It's taken me all that time to find a good reason to leave and this is definitely it. It was a no-brainer." SL: "And there's so many exciting races to go to..." GT: "I can't wait for Monaco! It's obviously a highlight on the calendar for anyone who loves motorsport. I remember going there when I was about nine or ten with my dad and we sat in Casino Square and he taught me the circuit and all the things that were going on. But I remember thinking 'how do they drive those cars so fast around such a tight circuit'? You just can't get your head around it! It's just incredible." SL: "Silverstone is another I'm looking forward to with all the British fans..." GT: "And Singapore. I can't wait to see a night race." SL: "There's just so many. India will be just amazing. I've never been to India and it's always been on my list of places to go. I should tick off quite a few of those next year!" GT: "And a lot of airport lounges!" SL: "Those too!" GT: "It's going to be a baptism of fire, but I think we're ready for it." SL: "I am going to miss rugby, of course, and I hope that door isn't closed, but there's a new challenge ahead. And I'm aware that I am following in some very big footsteps..." GT: "But we don't see it as a rivalry, do we?" SL: "No we don't, but I'm perfectly aware of just how popular Jake is." GT: "All we can focus on is what we can bring to the party - which is something altogether different." SL: "Yup, he's very tall, and I'm very small. But I have to say, he's very friendly and welcoming guy." GT: "He is! And it's not a 'them and us' scenario - definitely not. The BBC will go about their job as well as they can and I'm sure they'll do a great job, but we're not focusing on what they are doing." SL: "We want to take F1 coverage to a whole new level. And I think that, with a dedicated channel, we can do that." To find out more about Sky Sports F1 HD, click here