Just what is ITV's F1 opening credits about?

I think the intro is both an expression of the multiculturalism of the drivers, teams and audience and the diversity of the venues the cars race at. The woman with the snake is probably an artistic expression of the dangerous but exotic nature of the sport whilst the oriental guy (or is it a girl hmm...) is another symbol of the culture in the far flung venues of the world like malaysia and china.

You are probably right in that it is more a project of art than televisual science, but it does portray F1 as an aggressive, vibrant and diverse sport (and thus helps F1 to be a multi-racial sport and not just for white westerners for example). I think the music (by moby) fits in very well and makes the intro a loud and bashful welcome to the next few hours.

However, i still think the old opening sequence of seasons 1998 and 1999 were the best, with the black f1 car being uncovered by a pit stop crew. then you hear the roar of the engine and the the flash of the car as it accelerates. That really got my pulse racing as it gave the effect of F1 being very secretive, technologically advanced and powerful and didnt try and indulge modern social and cultural politics.

David Coulthard looks like a total nonce on that sequence. What a clown, dressed in his tux thinking he's 007 just cos he has a suit and lives in Monte Carlo. Ha ha!!

The oriental woman was never on the original sequence when it was first used, she only appeared for the first time at the first Malaysian GP (when it was the 2nd round of the season) and I thought it was a really good idea using some kind of symbol from each country they go to. Except they never introduced any more and she's been there ever since. It looks stupid to be honest, some random oriental woman in traditional dress doing a stupid dance. What's THAT got to do with F1 ????

Meanwhile the music by Moby is just ITV's latest abysmal attempt to try and get some signature tune into people's minds that will instantly conjure up images of F1. Why don't they just do what everyone wants and use Fleetwood Mac (again)? So what if their rivals used to before them.

the guys in suits, the girls scantily clad dancing around - bit like that other great Brit intuition 'the name is Bond, James Bond', could be a bit 007ish don't you think? don't think its got anything at all to do with F1, just an attempt at making the opening credits look a bit more, well, how can i put it, eye catching maybe? Keep the guys, ditch the rest, replace it with the cars, after all that's what its all about.

No idea, think the silly tune when the adverts start has a lot to answer for as well...i mean come on, three notes, my 18 month old son could make it more interesting

Who really cares! Im just happy I can perv the sexy Jenson Button!