BBC line-up revealed?

[admin]

The BBC has finalised its team of presenters for its coverage of Formula 1 from next year, it has been claimed, with Martin Brundle and David Coulthard on the bill – but no James Allen, Steve Rider or Mark Blundell.

With the Beeb set to reclaim the rights to broadcast the world's most expensive sport from ITV in 2009 – on a five-year contract – it has been revealed by Pitpass that the presenting team will be composed of ITV-F1 favourite Brundle alongside BBC Radio Five Live stalwart Jonathan Legard in the commentary booth, soon-to-retire Red Bull Racing ace Coulthard and Jake Humphrey fronting the programme in the studio and Lee McKenzie reprising the roles of Louise Goodman and Ted Kravitz as pit-lane reporter.

The addition of Brundle – who won a Royal Television Society award for Best Sports Pundit in 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2006 – will undoubtedly be a popular one amongst F1's fans, Michael Schumacher's former Benetton team-mate greatly embellishing the commentary with his dry sense of humour and witty insights.

Legard, for his part, has an excellent knowledge of the sport having commentated on it on Five Live since 1997, whilst Coulthard's name has long been linked to a role at Auntie, and the Scot's fresh, non-PC, outspoken nature will surely go down well with viewers.

Former children's TV presenter Humphrey is more of an unknown quantity within the top flight, though he has commentated throughout his career with the BBC on football – becoming the youngest-ever presenter of Football Focus and Match of the Day – American football, cricket, athletics and most recently the Beijing Olympics.

Taken from:

www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/169670-0/bbc_2009_f1_commentary_team_revealed.html

[Genghis]

So we've still got to put up with Martin "never won a race, but thinks he's the dog's bollocks" Brundle

His only decent moment came in 1997 with "You've hit the wrong part of the car, Michael" ;D

[schumi]

But today on PlanetF1:

Martin Brundle has denied reports that he's been signed by the BBC to comment on next year's F1 Championship.

With the BBC taking over the F1 rights as of next season, the corporation is currently on the look out for new commentators.

This sparked some rumours over the weekend that Brundle had already been signed along with former Red Bull driver David Coulthard.

Brundle, though, has denied these reports.

"Nothing is signed yet. I am hopeful that I can move to the BBC and continue my current role, and we are still in discussions," he told Autosport.

I still expect it to happen, and I think it's great. DC and Brundle should make for hilarious commentary. Shame about James Allen and Louise, and I don't know anything about the other guys, but this seems to be good news. And no adverts!

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2008 18:17:32 GMT @schumi said:

This sparked some rumours over the weekend that Brundle had already been signed along with former Red Bull driver David Coulthard.

I think Ecclestone hinted at it on the grid the other week.

To be honest, Brundle is a bit irritating on the grid walk, but I think he does know what he's talking about racewise. The trouble is, I think so much is going on during a GP, with the pictures cutting from one part of the track to the next, that anyone would occasionally end-up mouthing inanities.

[schumi]

From PlanetF1:

The BBC's decision to employ Martin Brundle as their Formula One commentator for next season has apparently not gone down well with the FIA.

Brundle is set to team up with current Red Bull driver David Coulthard, Jonathan Legard, Lee McKenzie and Jake Humphrey when the BBC takes over the F1 rights from next year.

However, the Daily Mail's Charles Sale claims the powers that be at the FIA are trying to convince the public broadcaster not to employ Brundle as they are still unhappy with him over his Sunday Times opinion piece on Spygate.

The FIA sued the paper for libel last year after Brundle said their "witch-hunt" against McLaren is threatening to the spoil title race.

Sale wrote: "The BBC's signing of Martin Brundle, widely acknowledged as the best Formula One pundit, for their new Grand Prix contract starting in March has not pleased motor sport's rulers.

"It is the talk of the F1 paddock that Alan Donnelly, the official representative at races of FIA chairman Max Mosley, has been trying to dissuade BBC executives from employing Brundle, who has been at odds with the governing body since he questioned their handling of last year's McLaren Spygate affair. "

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2008 18:04:49 GMT Genghis said:

So we've still got to put up with Martin "never won a race, but thinks he's the dog's bollocks" Brundle

Ha ha. I like it Genghis. Very good!

[schumi]

Seems Eddie Jordan is another name reportedly joining the BBC's commentary team.

[schumi]

From PlanetF1:

The BBC have confirmed that Jonathan Legard will be their lead commentator when the corporation commences coverage of F1 next season.

Legard, who until now has been Radio Five Live's F1 commentator, effectively takes the role James Allen held for ITV and will be joined in the commentary booth by the peerless Martin Brundle.

Despite his lack of gravitas prompting ridicule whenever he appeared as part of the BBC's coverage of this summer's European Championship football tournament, 30-year-old Jake Humphrey will anchor the coverage with both David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan employed as pundits.

Ted Kravitz will retain the pit-lane reporter role he performed for ITV.