Grosjean: Split-screen can fix F1's midfield TV coverage
Romain Grosjean reckons a split-screen option would be a “cool” fix to Formula 1’s problem of not showing enough battles while television coverage focuses on race leaders.

F1’s TV direction has come under scrutiny from drivers, particularly McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, for favouring less exciting fights at the front of the field.
The issue was highlighted in the Singapore Grand Prix when a four-car fight on the final lap was missed entirely in the world feed, although that battle was not for a points-paying position.
When asked by Motorsport.com about the issue, Haas driver Grosjean acknowledged that those in charge have to follow the race winner but thinks it is wrong to simply ignore other events.
“The fight we had at the end of the last lap in Singapore was I guess much more exciting than cars passing the line,” he said.
“So maybe having a double screen, where you can see still see the leading car crossing the line, and then the fight going on track on the other screen, would be quite cool.
“Sometimes you watch the races, it’s great to see Ferrari 1-2, but they’re just following each other and it’s not as sexy as seeing cars [racing].
“It was the same in Sochi. The midfield at one point was quite cool, and you could see very, very small margins between cars when [Alex] Albon was behind Kevin [Magnussen], he was coming back after the last safety car.
“And we were only seeing Charles [Leclerc] chasing [Valtteri] Bottas, which was also exciting, but sometimes you wish when you see less than two tenths between cars at the back you want to see that battle.”
Sainz recently said that the Grand Prix Drivers Association would raise the issue properly in the near future, and GPDA director Grosjean said he has had a conversation with his colleague.
Grosjean admitted he has not been able to watch the races properly with the exception of the Russian Grand Prix, having retired on the opening lap, but believes more can be done.
“We talked about it and we agreed,” said Grosjean. “The thing is the same feed is broadcasted to every TV. It’s Formula 1 who gives the feed to every TV.
“They could probably do a better job and maybe show a bit more of the battles because that’s what’s lacking and is what we like to see: cars close together, wheel-to-wheel.
“It was exciting to see Charles following Bottas, but after three, four laps the delta was not quite good enough [for an overtake to happen].
“But if there was anything good happening [elsewhere] it was replayed. It was like 15, 16 laps just on those two cars.”

Previous article
Vasseur believes race pace will be "easier to find" for Alfa
Next article
Why Ferrari is spurning the "easiest" Vettel/Leclerc solution

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Romain Grosjean |
Teams | Haas F1 Team |
Author | Scott Mitchell |
Grosjean: Split-screen can fix F1's midfield TV coverage
Trending
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end