Well, I have seen plenty of races dated before 2007 which was when I started watching, via illegal streams. I know, I know.. But they lack the intensity that the ones I've watched live. So I'll go post-2007.
5. Fuji 2007 - I think it was the first race that I'd ever woken up at stupid-o'clock to see, and boy, it was worth it. As a Lewis Hamilton fanboy it was pure joy watching him trounce the field while Alonso was in the wall. And, what is often forgotten, is that Kimi Raikkonen had a great race from 3rd, down to 21st, back up to 3rd. A large part was down to strategy but he had some great overtakes as well.
4. Silverstone 2008 - Again another exemplary performance from Hamilton. Everything from the way he started to the end was flawless and it was great to see him do it on home asphalt. We can't ever forget the hilarity that were the Ferraris on that day.
3. China 2010 - Absolute entertainment and some great performances across the field. Watching Hamilton battle with Schumacher was great as was some of the interesting psychology in the pit lane with Vettel and Hamilton going to wheel and Alonso forcing himself past Massa. A great drive from Button as well.
So far my choices have all been in the wet.. perhaps Bernie has a point? Um, no. He doesn't.
2. Australia 2010 - A very exciting, hard-fought race, I wouldn't call it a wet race but it certainly added some spice at the beginning. The continued battle between Webber, Hamilton, Massa and Alonso was great and although it ended quite poorly, it was again confirmation of Button's great feel in tricky conditions. It also perhaps marked the passing of Michael Schumacher's greatness as he struggled with the new generation of drivers.
1. Turkey 2010 - This may be a surprising pick but it's genuine. It's not based on the fact that Hamilton won, although of course in the end that was nice. For me this was the defining race of 2010. It's quite a tricky one to explain but I'll give it a try. In qualifying we had a fascinating scenario. The Red Bulls were very quick, very very quick, but at last, the McLarens looked much closer. The question was whether they could turn that into pole. They couldn't, and started 2nd and 4th. Hamilton's qualifying lap was stunning, it was the epitome of a violent, relentlessly pursued lap time. By this stage I was already ridiculously excited that the Red Bulls had been split. From there, and with belief in Hamilton's skills, I was anticipating it very eagerly.
It didn't start off well for me. My usual race viewing set up was affected by some other sport being on red button. As a Freeview user, it meant I couldn't get my usual mix of BBC1 TV and my separate DAB radio alongside it. Although it was out of sync, it was always better than listening to the clowns on BBC1. Unfortunately for me, I always like to record the BBC1 coverage and the 5 live audio on a separate channel, so I can keep both on my computer - it's very hard to get those 5 live broadcasts! And that way, I can revisit races with my choice of commentary. Neat, huh? Aaanyway.. both 5 live and 5 live sports extra were taken up by different sports, so the broadcasters at 5liveF1 said they would set up a special DAB station.. For some reason I couldn't get it and I had to watch online. Little did I know it was more in sync! So I was pretty pleased.
Maybe it was the position I was sitting in (upright in a chair rather than slumped on the sofa), in front of the computer, maybe it was my general mood that day, but as the race progressed my heart rate must've been at an all time high. My leg was shaking and I'd never felt anything like it. The whole race was just..
intense. Every lap there was a chance for Hamilton to overtake either Vettel or Webber, and the whole layout of the track was just perfect for the scenario in which the RBR cars were faster through turn 8, but the McLarens great in a straight line to the best overtaking spot on the track. The question the commentators and myself were constantly asking was, 'can Hamilton carry that extra bit of speed through turn 8'. Everyone could see he was pushing like crazy. It was a real pleasure to watch someone drive like that. We had seen him in practice, I think, spin at turn 8 where all the teams were trying to get greedy and take that extra risk.
Of course, there had to be a crack somewhere and after 39 laps of relentless pressure, it happened. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel collided as I literally shouted in shock and surprise. It was unreal. All that pressure had finally got to that point and it was incredible. And then to top it off, watching Hamilton and Button go at it wheel to wheel was exhilarating, terrifying and brilliant. An extraordinary race like I've never watched before, and I thought, that is exactly what F1 should be, races where people have the chance to overtake and apply pressure, hard, close pressure, and go at it relentlessly to see who wins.
I think a big portion of it goes to 5 live, to David Croft and Anthony Davidson. I've watched the race since and it doesn't hold the same intensity, partly because I know the outcome, partly because it isn't live, but mostly, I think, because of the BBC1 commentators. Their [5live's] enthusiasm and excitement was palpable and they clearly enjoyed it as much as I did. That's important, I think, when it comes to commentary of any sport.
I do actually consider it a real shame that because the broadcast was not on 5 live or 5 live sports extra - remember it was on a specially set up digital radio signal - because it meant that it was never put on iPlayer!
So I never had the chance to record it live, nor listen to it again nor record it after the fact.
Perhaps it was meant to be, but it was a special race and a special broadcast, to me.