Tuesday 18th November 2008

Brundle Confirms BBC Move

Former driver will be joining BBC's F1 presenting team

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Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has confirmed that he will be joining the BBC’s commentating team next year. The series will be shown on the BBC in 2009 and award-winning commentator Brundle delighted race fans last night by revealing he will also be moving.

Brundle told guests at the Autocar Awards, at London's Royal Horticultural Hall, that he had considered quitting F1 presenting before agreeing to join the BBC. ‘I'm delighted to be able to tell you all that I'll be joining the BBC next year,' he said.

‘I've been commentating on Formula One for the past dozen years, and I briefly considered calling it a day. But in the end I decided to take up the BBC's offer and I'm now very excited about working for them next year.’ According to reports David Coulthard, the Scot who retired from Formula One this year, could also be joining the BBC as a race pundit.

[Stupeo]

Good-oh! It wouldn't be the same without him.

[JPF40]

It'll be good to have Coultard on board, he'll have plenty of welcome input.

[anonymous-user]

Great news.

So who is doing the live race commentary with Brundle?

I assume Coulthard might be doing the sort of pre and post race punditry Mark Blundell is doing now?

Ah just found out. . .

"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."

Edited by el stovey on Tuesday 18th November 11:50

[leightonjames]

Damn.

[MrKipling43]

Gimme an 'R'!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[Mr MoJo]

Glad to see Brundle made the right decision. Coulthard would be an excellent addition also

What's the likelyhood of Murray making a come back too !!

[gumsie]

leightonjames said:

Damn.

What do you mean? Solid driver but I think his calling really is as a first rate commentator.

[Darranu]

Quality, And with the origional F1 music it's going to be so much beter. Oh and no adverts. Can't wait

[Sebster36]

Result! Coulthard/Brundle.. fantastic line up!

[rossfitz]

Top news cos not only does Brundle deliver the goods (although have to say Damon Hill was very good when Brundle was on hols), but also wifey has a 535d owned originally by Mr Brundle and I'm hoping his continued TV presence will in some way help hold it's value. Ha ha!

[Mark-C]

gumsie said:

leightonjames said:

Damn.

What do you mean? Solid driver but I think his calling really is as a first rate commentator.

The two are linked - his many years as a driver have helped make him a first rate commentator.

[dublet]

I've not been that fussed on him, especially with his Hamilton bias. Oh well, at least there'll be no ads.

[Frimley111R]

Good news, no James Allen either!

[evenflow]

Well done BBC.

God I'm getting old. Feel like I'm writing to Points of View!

[forza whites]

Frimley111R said:

Good news, no James Allen either!

+1

[oagent]

Can they get Steve Parish in to lend a hand? I just cant imagine Coultard making it sound exciting, which to be fair, the vast majority of it isnt.

[theturbs]

forza whites said:

Frimley111R said:

Good news, no James Allen either!

+1

+1

Also, IMO the interaction between DC and Brundle should be pretty good given that Brundle was DC's manager for a while. As far as I know the relationship didn't end acrimoniously...

Bring on '09.

[AnorakUK]

Great news. What still surprises me with MB is that he can still find new gems of info that are pertinent to what's happening on the track. If anyone has not read his book "working the wheel", I'd recommend that too

[dinkel]

AnorakUK said:

Great news. What still surprises me with MB is that he can still find new gems of info that are pertinent to what's happening on the track. If anyone has not read his book "working the wheel", I'd recommend that too

Thanx.

[thegreengoblet]

el stovey said:

....soon-to-retire Red Bull Racing ace Coulthard and Jake Humphrey fronting the programme in the studio....

I do hate the studio pundetry... the pit/Blundell type format works so much better.