Who should be the main BBC F1 commentator?

There were two decent commentators at Silverstone commentating on today's Renault World Series races.

I think you guys would quickly grow tired of this style of commentary

That was terrible.

Thank for that piece of info!

(skips Ben E)

Croft and Watson sound good on the FIA GT 3 highlights on Motors

Who's the chap who commentates on the Friday practice sessions? He should be elevated to qualy and race duties.

That's David Croft who currently also does the radio commentary.

That's David Croft who currently also does the radio commentary.

That is the radio commentary

That is the radio commentary ;)

The only thing we can be sure of is that whoever gets the job, after the first race next year, there'll be threads set up saying how awful he is and he should be sacked to be replaced by X/Y/Z....

Personally I think Allen/Brundle was a good combination till the Hamilton crap took over, which I think eased off a bit anyway in 2008. They just had a good chemistry. If not Allen, then Ben Edwards was great on Eurosport. Mind you he does get a little overexcited sometimes. I remember seeing some footage of him doing CART commentary on some oval race and he sounded like a pre-pubescent boy whose voice is starting to brake. It was a bit much...

Edited by topical, 20 September 2010 - 07:13.

I think you should give people more credit Topical. Nobody says Brundle should be replaced.

I think you should give people more credit Topical. Nobody says Brundle should be replaced.

Brundle seems to be a critical free zone. Why?

Well, new guy here, so hi everyone.

I like Crofty and I like Cox, i know Coxy would be an acquired taste for some but that's true of all commentators. Murray used to annoy the living daylights out of me and Allen was like an enthusiastic adolescent, but I still prefer either of them to Legard. Someone has already said that any replacement will be liked by some and disliked by others, so nothing will satisfy everyone.

Brundle seems to be bulletproof because he's been there, done that, just like Hunt had (and he was often aloof and hyper-critical of any driver error). My guess is that Martin will get his way on this!

Brundle seems to be a critical free zone. Why?

Because he's a decent co-commentator

No good as a main commentator mind. He wouldn't be able to say enough to fill the time. For analysis, context and race understanding, as well as entertainment, he's great. Works better with a main commentator that can fill up the air time though.

^^ Yeah, I'll go with that ^^ Is Karun Chandok an option?

Yes! He is blummin brilliant! I like Crofty too.

I also like the guys who commentate on the BTCC. Dunno their names but they are fun.

Agree that Brundle's getting stale. I play Brundle Bingo now. Punching a Hole in the Air, etc etc.

I think you should give people more credit Topical. Nobody says Brundle should be replaced.

Ah, but Brundle is a co-commentator. I am sure that if he became main commentator (which is what this thread is about) the abuse would start at once.
You just can't please everyone.
imo the witchhunt against Allen was really unfair - sure, he could be a plonker sometimes (the Hamilton obsession, the cringeworthy 'Gooooo!' - which at least stopped - or that scream when Button won his first race) - but just listen to him and Brundle commentating together and 90% it simply sounds right, they had a good blend.
and i mean what was the mains slogan against Allen - t shirts saying 'Stop the Cock'? says more to me about the ******** mentalities of the people wearing the t shirts than Allen's shortcomings...
having said that, i doubt Allen will be back - unless Brundle specifically requests him...

What I don't want to see is a situation at the BBC where because you don't work well with Brundle, you're out. Does is necessarily have to be a Brundle +1? I'm not saying Brundle should go (though he should not be the main commentator), but you can't have a situation where no one is irreplaceable. I should imagine the pressure to gel with Martin is very high. A bit like an arranged marriage...

But it's not Legard doesn't work well with Brundel. It;s about him being totally clueless, a terrible commentator all around AND not blending well with Brundle in addition to that.

What I don't want to see is a situation at the BBC where because you don't work well with Brundle, you're out. Does is necessarily have to be a Brundle +1? I'm not saying Brundle should go (though he should not be the main commentator), but you can't have a situation where no one is irreplaceable. I should imagine the pressure to gel with Martin is very high. A bit like an arranged marriage...

It sounds to me (and the odd time I hear BBC, I'd agree) that the Brundle Legard combination isn't working, so one of them has to go. Given that Brundle is still very popular, and Legard isn't, it's clear Leggers has to be shown the door.
I can't imagine that Brundle is a particularly difficult character to get on with, he seems fairly laid back and polite. Just that Legard is dull and has zero charisma, and that's what you need in a main commentator - the ability to transmit enthusiasm naturally and make even the dull races seems vaguely interesting.

What I don't want to see is a situation at the BBC where because you don't work well with Brundle, you're out. Does is necessarily have to be a Brundle +1? I'm not saying Brundle should go (though he should not be the main commentator), but you can't have a situation where no one is irreplaceable. I should imagine the pressure to gel with Martin is very high. A bit like an arranged marriage...

I wouldn't be surprised if it's not really just Brundle, but also the volume of complaints ( ) and general recognition that he's not up to it and not going to improve. But the Brundle relationship angle gets the culprits off the hook for appointing the obvious dud in the first place.

Might I suggest DJ Jack E?

Ah, but Brundle is a co-commentator. I am sure that if he became main commentator (which is what this thread is about) the abuse would start at once.
You just can't please everyone.

I think it's acknowledged that Brundle would make a poor commentator. His skill is as co-commentator - the yin to the main commentator's yang.

Edited by Alexis*27, 20 September 2010 - 19:02.

For those who don tlike Ben Edwards, who would be your choice? I love his excitable style, he commentates just like he's sitting watching the races at home (Well he gets as excited as me anyway). I love that type of enthusiasm, just like old Murray.

he sounds like johnathan pearce on 'robot wars'.....

For those who don tlike Ben Edwards, who would be your choice? I love his excitable style, he commentates just like he's sitting watching the races at home (Well he gets as excited as me anyway). I love that type of enthusiasm, just like old Murray.

tbh I love Cox!!

Lol don't get excited i'm not coming out

im baffled anyone hasnt mentioned Gary Anderson who commentates on Star Sports these days..used to be at Jordan...absolutely brilliant...honestly haven't heard anyone remotely as good...great technical knowledge of the sport and pleasant on the ear as well..

im baffled anyone hasnt mentioned Gary Anderson who commentates on Star Sports these days..used to be at Jordan...absolutely brilliant...honestly haven't heard anyone remotely as good...great technical knowledge of the sport and pleasant on the ear as well..

I remember Gary Anderson as a pundit on Sentanta in the old days. He is rather dull, reminds me of Jonathan Palmer. So if anything, he's co-commentator material at best, but the search is for a MAIN commentator.
Personally I'd go with Edwards but I don't know this Cox bloke...

I think Ben Edwards is clearly mates with or going out with (according to the latest Fosters beer advert) a 'Space Invader'... as clearly... edwards has become a 'shouter'....


Same can be said of Colin Clark on WRC Radio.. the guy confuses genuine excitement with the need to convey that via shouting... and you simply dont and it becomes annoying as hell. I think if Edwards got the gig, this forum would get flooded with 'Fire Ben Edwards' threads...as I think he could come across as even worse than James Allen...

David Croft I think is the perfect commentator, cool and calm, yet clearly enjoys his racing and gets excited, without screaming down the mic, although I think he would need to be teamed up with possibly DC, rather than Brundle as I dont think a Croft/Brundle partnership would have the chemistry.

I think Ben Edwards is clearly mates with or going out with (according to the latest Fosters beer advert) a 'Space Invader'... as clearly... edwards has become a 'shouter'....


Same can be said of Colin Clark on WRC Radio.. the guy confuses genuine excitement with the need to convey that via shouting... and you simply dont and it becomes annoying as hell. I think if Edwards got the gig, this forum would get flooded with 'Fire Ben Edwards' threads...as I think he could come across as even worse than James Allen...

David Croft I think is the perfect commentator, cool and calm, yet clearly enjoys his racing and gets excited, without screaming down the mic, although I think he would need to be teamed up with possibly DC, rather than Brundle as I dont think a Croft/Brundle partnership would have the chemistry.

If you didn't want to pair Croft with Brundle, wouldn't the obvious choice be to keep Crofty paired with Ant Davidson. Or were you discounting him on the basis that the BBC wouldn't want him to be their tv summariser/colour commentator/analyst/whatver due to his race commitments.

I think Ant is probably too young to decide "F1 commentator or sportscar driver?" and choose F1 commentator, which is a real shame, as he would be AWESOME on telly with Crofty...

I think it's acknowledged that Brundle would make a poor commentator. His skill is as co-commentator - the yin to the main commentator's yang.

I beg to differ; not sure it would work - and it certainly won't happen - but I would greatly enjoy just having Brundle making his comments, and nothing else but silence from the box in between.

As for the radio guys, Croft, Davidson and the Indian guy, all of that sounds like white noise to me.

greetings anyone, first post here

imo, the most exciting commentators (duo) in any kind of sport that involves tyres and fuel were Toby Moody & Dennis Noyes



I just voted for one of them

Edited by WilliamsFWPH, 21 September 2010 - 14:57.

tbh I love Cox!!

Lol don't get excited i'm not coming out ;)

I love Cox as well come to mention it (no im not coming out either!), but there would definitely be a lot more "Get rid of Charlie Cox threads" than "Get rid of Ben Edwards" threads i reckon. Still, i'd happily take either of them other Legard.

I don't mind who gets the gig as long as it's not Legard, Allen or Carlton Kirby. Pick anyone in the country!

Except possibly the guy who does the "Compare the Meerkat" ads ;)

That would be Simon Greenhall - Geordie Michael from Alan Partridge, and, ironically, the sports commentator from Pete Versus Life!

greetings anyone, first post here

imo, the most exciting commentators (duo) in any kind of sport that involves tyres and fuel were Toby Moody & Dennis Noyes

Noyes was absolutely superb. But currently he does Spanish-language commentary for TVE.

IMO Toby Moody needs to be combined with a sage-like presence in the box (Noyes, or better still Ryder and Spalding) or his obvious enthusiasm can become grating. Although I've never seen it that way myself, I've learnt this from defending Moody's style to others.

Perhaps the best-balanced commentary team I've ever seen was the classic ABC Indycar lineup of Paul Page, Sam Posey and Bobby Unser. Technical greenhorn, quasi-intellectual and razor-sharp tough bastard. Brundle's problem (if you could call it that), is that he combines an extremely cutting and intelligent way with words with a genuine understanding of motor racing in all its aspects. If you like, category #2 and category #3. He makes his commentary partners look pretty stupid by comparison -- it's been well-observed that Murray lost his sharpness from 1997 onwards, although outside of the commentary box he's as engaging and bright as ever (he was brilliant in the BBC's coverage for the British bike GP); and from 2001 to 2008 on many occasions he made the sensitive, knowledgeable and articulate James Allen look like a prat. In this regard I find Brundle very similar to David Hobbs. The best choice to partner Martin would IMO be a Paul Page or Bob Varsha figure -- one who has no pretensions of usurping or competing on an equal footing with Brundle, but is at the same time easy-going and extremely familiar with the paddock and the sport. Can't think of anyone who fits the description though. Perhaps the second-best option would be to fill the box with as many loud, controversial and fiercely articulate pundits as possible and enjoy the anarchy. Call it the Walker-Hunt-Stewart approach.

The void left since the passing of James Hunt has proved to be impossible to replace.

No it hasn't.

No it hasn't.

I thought Hunt was crap personally.

Allen preferably, if not croft..

Ben Edwards and Martin Brundle combo for me, no question. The former's enthusiasm is only matched by that of Murray Walker.

But it's not Legard doesn't work well with Brundel. It;s about him being totally clueless, a terrible commentator all around AND not blending well with Brundle in addition to that.

He's still better than Allen ever was. Not that that's saying much...

Edited by Eff One 2002, 26 September 2010 - 00:08.

I've found our candidates

Ben Edwards has been consistently good in all the years I've heard him commentate, and it bewilders me why he keeps getting passed over by terrestrial F1. Martin Haven I rate very highly too.

However, I have been very impressed by David Croft, whose wit - like Haven's - has been a joy. Croftie's mention of YouTube legend Leeroy Jenkins in describing a Kobayashi overtake, during the radio commentary that replaced the TV sound in Japan when it failed, had me guffawing.

I wish I could put my finger on exactly why Legard annoys me. In part it's his pithy retorts to opinions given by Brundle: "Why's that?" or "Do you think so?" or "Explain." There's a touch of edge in it that comes across as plain rude. He knows his stuff, and is a darn sight less partisan than James 'Jingo' Allen, but there is something in his delivery that is somehow jarring.

Ben Edwards has been consistently good in all the years I've heard him commentate, and it bewilders me why he keeps getting passed over by terrestrial F1. Martin Haven I rate very highly too.

However, I have been very impressed by David Croft, whose wit - like Haven's - has been a joy. Croftie's mention of YouTube legend Leeroy Jenkins in describing a Kobayashi overtake, during the radio commentary that replaced the TV sound in Japan when it failed, had me guffawing.

I wish I could put my finger on exactly why Legard annoys me. In part it's his pithy retorts to opinions given by Brundle: "Why's that?" or "Do you think so?" or "Explain." There's a touch of edge in it that comes across as plain rude. He knows his stuff, and is a darn sight less partisan than James 'Jingo' Allen, but there is something in his delivery that is somehow jarring.

I agree, and the fact that he can't just ask Martin ONE question. It's like this: "So Martin, why do think that is? It is because his tyres are cold, or because Ross Brawn told him to back off? As we all saw, his pistop was not what he wanted as his left-rear gunner lost his nut?" By which time something else has happened which warrants Legard to start screaming again.
That's why Martin rarely gets a word in - Legard's triple-barrelled questions.

Another thing that annoys me his tendency to mumble, and go all quiet, talking about Japanese teddy bears, at which point you find yourself saying "What the funk is he on about?".
If anybody new to F1 was watching they wouldn't have the first idea about what was happening, and they must've assumed an escaped mental patient wrote to Jim'll Fix It 20 years ago and asked to be a commentator on an F1 race, and that his wish had finally been granted.

I think Ben Edwards is clearly mates with or going out with (according to the latest Fosters beer advert) a 'Space Invader'... as clearly... edwards has become a 'shouter'....


Same can be said of Colin Clark on WRC Radio.. the guy confuses genuine excitement with the need to convey that via shouting... and you simply dont and it becomes annoying as hell. I think if Edwards got the gig, this forum would get flooded with 'Fire Ben Edwards' threads...as I think he could come across as even worse than James Allen...

David Croft I think is the perfect commentator, cool and calm, yet clearly enjoys his racing and gets excited, without screaming down the mic, although I think he would need to be teamed up with possibly DC, rather than Brundle as I dont think a Croft/Brundle partnership would have the chemistry.

Thommo!! love those ads

Lately I'm getting seriously bored by Brundle. I mean, he's slowed down a lot these last years... Fresh blood needed!

Hopefully cox doesnt get the job dont really like the bbc moto gp coomentary prefer eurosport. I think a croft, brundle and chandhok combo could work pretty well. If karun doesnt get a drive next season

Hopefully cox doesnt get the job dont really like the bbc moto gp coomentary prefer eurosport. I think a croft, brundle and chandhok combo could work pretty well. If karun doesnt get a drive next season

Cox is awful. If he get's it it'll be pure British Broadcasters Club just like Legard was.

Toby Moody is the only real quality, no sign he's in the frame though, what a missed opportunity.

Crotfy would be OK though.

Ben Edwards is the man for the job. His passion and enthusiasm make him the next best thing to Murray Walker.

QUOTE (FlatOverCrest @ Sep 21 2010, 11:05): "I think Ben Edwards is clearly mates with or going out with (according to the latest Fosters beer advert) a 'Space Invader'... as clearly... edwards has become a 'shouter'...."


I think Ben E only started getting shouty since commentating on the WWF.... I mean the BTCC...

It's not as if Murray didn't hit the rev limiter once in a while, and he is unto an god. Haven and Croftie can get enthused as well, but in the round all three do a good job, and at least they have a sense of humour that works.

Edited by Kif, 02 November 2010 - 13:10.

Murray, you're only 80 - COME BACK!!!

Murray ain't coming back and for good reason. I'd get annoyed by his commentary with the same reasons I get annoyed by Nick Harris and his MotoGP commentary.

Murray Walker is not included as he is officially retired, and neither are broadcasters such as Anthony Davidson or Karun Chandhok because they are colour commentators.

Karun is, but Anthony isn't surely? He looks British English to me?

Edited by RoutariEnjinu, 02 November 2010 - 13:35.

How about Lee Mackenzie or Louise Goodman or another woman? I don't think there has ever been a female F1 commentator, yet women occupy many of the communications roles in motorsport. They might be able to give a new perspective.

I don't think employing a PR girl is the answer to the Legard issue.

It should be DC and Brundle

A "colour" option isn't required

It patronises teh general public to think it is

They wouldn't expec a pundit to consult them on their heart surgery so why would they want a "non-expert" messing the coverage up

You'd end up with blood and guts everywhere!