73 replies to this topic

[scotchman]

Just who are the BBC going to employ to present/commentate on, their Formula One coverage in 2009?

I for one am all for Martin Brundle, Steve Rider and Mark Blundell being taken on by the Beeb for next season. I genuinely feel that their knowledge and enthusiasm is greatly hindered by ITV's often poor coverage of races.

It seems that Rider is constantly put in an apologetic position, especially when ITV cut press conferences to the bare minimum in order to make way for 'Coronation Street'...

And James Allen? - sorry, the door is open, close it when you leave please...

The race commentary itself?, for me, it has to be Brundle and, dare I say it, someone like Anthony Davidson, a man seemingly gifted in delivering proper, in-depth F1 commentary. Of course my preference, without a doubt, would be to see Davidson fighting it out on the track any day!!

Whatever the BBC's crew is in '09, please let it be a good one!

[TickTickBooom]

I can't imagine that (and I can't tell you how much I hope that they don't) the Beeb will take anyone but Martin from ITV. Louise has already set herself up with Honda, so I don't think she's had an offer, and as for the rest of them......

All I want is a decent anchor instead of Steve Rider and Ben Edwards in the box with Brundle. Oh, and The Chain! It's unlikely that someone like Ant or even DC would take up a commentary position as Martin fills the knowledgable ex-driver role, and they would need a commentator to fill in the gaps.

I hope that Martin rediscovers his love for F1 if he does go to the BBC, he's been lacking enthusiasm lately, imho.

[Cplus]

not fussed who it is as long as they spend less than half the coverage talking about lewis.

perhaps start by trying to talk about who ever the camera is on at any given time....

[pingu666]

i quite like louise tbh

[Jimages]

If only one person gets poached from the current ITV team then it has to be Brundle. He's always been good, and remember it was the BBC that put him in the box to begin with when he was seat sharing at Ligier with Aguri Suzuki.

I always remembered Steve Rider favourably when he did Grand Prix for the BBC, but ITV has dumbed him down somewhat and he's been annoying me, especially when talking to Blundell... he always says Mark Blundell, we all know who he is, why not just call him Mark like any other normal person?

And on the subject of Blundell, he ought to go, he'll always be out shined by far by Brundle, and only points out the sublimely obvious whilst being annoying as humanly possible.

James Allen, although enthusiastic and knowledgeable is more often than not more annoying than humanly possible, likewise with Louise. I always used to knock Ted Kravitz as well, but to be fair he's been improving of late.

I think David Croft + Chris Goodwin should front up the BBC F1 commentary with Brundle taking his traditional role of authoritative ex F1 driver further. Someone like Suzi Perry in the pits, although I doubt she'd ever leave bikes.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Chris Goodwin sucks and we don't need more ditzy birds in the pits asking silly questions.

Everyone raves about the Eurosport MotoGP coverage, but doesn't anyone realise part of what makes it so good is they've got a race winner at the top level just as their lowly pit guy?

[VoidNT]

ITV's Charlie Webster is a good prospect to be a co-presenter of F1, despite her accent. If she starts to talk about Lewis, to turn the sound off but leave the visual feed would be enough.

[Dooly Tilly]

I would be happy with James Allen / David Coulthard in the commentary box. Brundle could become the pitlane interviewer.

[F575 GTC]

Definatly NOT James Allen. It's bad enough he's plagued the F1 commentary booth for so long as it is. They could keep Brundle on, he's not too bad and usually knows whats going on - usually. Charlie Cox is awesome for the MotoGP & the BTCC when he used to do that, but he's more suited to those short, close races rather than the dullness that is F1.

Ben Edwards wouldn't be bad. Then again, with Eurosport losing MotoGP coverage they could get Toby, Jules & Randy to swot up on F1 instead!

[Ross Stonefeld]

Oh I would pay to hear Julian Ryder commentate on F1. I'd pay not just a subscription, but his salary. It'd be by far the most honest appraisal of modern GP racing you'd ever hear.

[Felix]

I believe Eddie Jordan is in the frame as 'expert' analyst in place of Mark Blundell...

[Orkun ÖZENER]

Paul Stodart:) & Eddie Jordan ---The Mosley defenders?

[Dooly Tilly]

Originally posted by Felix
I believe Eddie Jordan is in the frame as 'expert' analyst in place of Mark Blundell...

I'm not a massive fan of Wiggy, but I do think he'd be quite entertaining to listen to, even though a lot of his analysis would be complete bullshit.

[PiquetPete]

Anybody but Ben Edwards doing the commentary - I know he know his stuff and is an all round good guy etc but he just sounds dull - James Allen would be better - at least he sounds like he's wetting his pants with excitement when the race is on.

[undersquare]

I'm listening to Toby Moody commentating on a whole series of different races at Silverstone. He knows what he's looking at, good to listen to though inevitably not as excited as for MotoGP. He's been doing his homework, talking to the teams and drivers, always something interesting to say, has a good time and puts that across. It might take him a season to get fully up to his high-octave best but he'd be my choice, by a mile.

Rider I will not forgive for that pathetic interview with MS.

Brundle or Davidson (if he can't get a drive) for the pundit.

Kravitz in the pitlane, not Louise.

[pgj]

Sorry, but I hate Ryder/Brundle/Blundell it is the worst ever commentary team for F1. They are all more interested in projecting themselves and their own opinion than commentating on F1. Why Ryder and Blundell believe that it is better presentation to have their drivel drowned out by standing in front of a garage than to have informed studio comment from someone like Tony Jardine I do not know.

I always listen to the excellent David Croft and Maurice Hamilton on BBC Radio. Their coverage of P1 and P2 is truly outstanding. I would understand if the BBC took either or both over to TV, I just pray that they continue with their two Friday programmes. My race weekend is not the same without it.

[pRy]

They should switch Suzy Perry across from Moto GP to F1.

[TickTickBooom]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Chris Goodwin sucks and we don't need more ditzy birds in the pits asking silly questions.

You vile sexist pig!

I really hope you weren't encompassing Suzi Perry in that little statement. She's a f**king legend and if I could half as well as she does about MotoGP, I'd consider myself to be pretty **** hot, thanks very much.

I vote for me and RacingBelle as pit reporters. Oh, that would be a sight to behold!

Ditzy birds indeed. Shame on you.

[Crazy Ninja]

David Croft annoys me. I can just about tolerate him for the Gp2 races. He doesnt seem to know what the hell's going on half the time and the other guy either doesnt seem to know either or he just doesnt want to correct him.

Ben Edwards is the best candidate for commentator imo. He was brilliant when he did the CART races and he's pretty good on the BTCC aswell. Him and Brundle are necessary with Ted and James in the pits.

[TickTickBooom]

Originally posted by pRy
They should switch Suzy Perry across from Moto GP to F1.

She'd never go. She's said plenty of times that she prefers her engines with two wheels and would never consider a switch. And why should she? She's the anchor for the BBC coverage - which is the only coverage we'll be watching next year - why would she want to go and do pit stuff for F1? Even if she'd excel at it and make Holly Samos look like the numpty she is.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Originally posted by TickTickBooom

You vile sexist pig!

I have no doubt a woman could be a good commentator/reporter/interviewer but these women are not. They are there because they are women and as such that is where my criticism begins.

In IndyCar racing we used to have an ex-driver as the pitlane reporter. Now it's a rotation of early mid 20's bunnies, guess who's better?

[SoBizarre]

Personally I don't care much about commentators. All I care about is mouth-watering prospect of being able to watch uninterrupted coverage.
No more switching channels (ITV-Setanta Ireland-local Belgian TV), no more frustration when everybody airs commercials at some points (and thus no broken remote controls ;) ). Sweet!

[RedBaron]

Suzy Perry is from The Gadget show isn't she? That's a brilliant show.

Keep Brundle.

[Dooly Tilly]

Originally posted by RedBaron
Suzy Perry is from The Gadget show isn't she? That's a brilliant show.

Keep Brundle.

RedBaron?? Not the RedBaron from F1 online back in the old days??

[OO7]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Chris Goodwin sucks and we don't need more ditzy birds in the pits asking silly questions.

Everyone raves about the Eurosport MotoGP coverage, but doesn't anyone realise part of what makes it so good is they've got a race winner at the top level just as their lowly pit guy?

I think also they have such a great rapport with one another, you can tell they are all good friends and it comes across well. When they commentate it doesn't sound scripted, whereas in my opinion (particularly during the non-action periods which happens often in F1) James Allen at times sounds like he has a thick notebook full of mundane activites that he reads through at various points. To be fair I think its perhaps a little more difficult for the F1 team because generally there is less action and the drivers and teams are perhaps more closed, more distant.

I agreed with you about Julian Ryder aswell.

Obi

[RacingBelle]

Originally posted by TickTickBooom
I vote for me and RacingBelle as pit reporters. Oh, that would be a sight to behold!

Ditzy birds indeed. Shame on you.

Damn right. This "ditzy bird" has more F1 knowledge in her 26 year old little toe than Allen does in his 41 year old-worked-in -F1-since-'91 body.

And I bet I could get drivers to talk to me in the pit walk. Because I'm female. And hot.

;)


Seriously though. I'd love to see Martin go, because he does know what he is talking about, as does Mark B most of the time (bad English withstanding) Steve Rider and James Allen just need to be sacked though. Ted is pretty good, but I guess there are plenty of people who could do his job.

Best commentary team I know are Mark and Carlton of DTM fame. They are awesome.

[undersquare]

Originally posted by Obi Offiah


I think also they have such a great rapport with one another, you can tell they are all good friends and it comes across well. When they commentate it doesn't sound scripted, whereas in my opinion (particularly during the non-action periods which happens often in F1) James Allen at times sounds like he has a thick notebook full of mundane activites that he reads through at various points. To be fair I think its perhaps a little more difficult for the F1 team because generally there is less action and the drivers and teams are perhaps more closed, more distant.

I agreed with you about Julian Ryder aswell.

Obi

Also they do a lot of work in the background, preparing. Toby and Julian know everyone in the paddock, in every class, and quite often most of their families too it seems. They talk to people, know what's happening, they are totally into it. Also they have fun and make it fun.

So I think it would take Toby a season in F1 to get quite as good, but since he's by coincidence become available the BBC would be mad not to take the opportunity IMO. He was born to be a commentator.

David Croft, for example, is completely flat by comparison, a dull recital.

[OO7]

Originally posted by RacingBelle


Best commentary team I know are Mark and Carlton of DTM fame. They are awesome.

[RacingBelle]

Originally posted by Obi Offiah

And that is an answer how? You remind me of someone I used to know, never liked, and always used to answer in smilies. If you want to make a point, make it with words.

It's very rare that in a DTM race you don't more or less know where the drivers are, and who is doing what. The only way you get that in F1 is through Live Timing. Plus, they know how to keep their viewers amused when there's not much happening instead of the old "let's listen to this car going round" line that Allen gives.

[noah-zark]

Originally posted by Obi Offiah

Are their first names Ant and Dec

[OO7]

Originally posted by RacingBelle


And that is an answer how? You remind me of someone I used to know, never liked, and always used to answer in smilies. If you want to make a point, make it with words.

It's very rare that in a DTM race you don't more or less know where the drivers are, and who is doing what. The only way you get that in F1 is through Live Timing. Plus, they know how to keep their viewers amused when there's not much happening instead of the old "let's listen to this car going round" line that Allen gives.

Firstly RacingBelle I apologise if I've offended you. The smilies I posted were just to indicate surprise that you regard them as the best commentary team (of course everyone is entitled to there own opinion). One of the things I don't like is the way that they constantly go on about Norbert Haug's weight and eating Mars bars etc. At first it didn't bother me, I even laughed, but its so constant now and so old, to me its becoming a little unprofessional. I know they do it in jest but as I said to me its getting old. I don't really like Carltons style, as I said before personal preference. Mark Cole is ok if you team he up with someone like John H. I agree with you that the commentators for the DTM get little info to help do their job, but the same happens/happened with GP2 and FIA GT races on Eurosport and I think Martin Haven did a good job.

Obi

[RacingMonk]

Originally posted by RacingBelle



Best commentary team I know are Mark and Carlton of DTM fame. They are awesome.

You're having a laugh aren't you....Carlton Kirby?! The chaps an incompetant buffoon

[RacingBelle]

Originally posted by Obi Offiah


Firstly RacingBelle I apologise if I've offended you. The smilies I posted were just to indicate surprise that you regard them as the best commentary team (of course everyone is entitled to there own opinion). One of the things I don't like is the way that they constantly go on about Norbert Haug's weight and eating Mars bars etc. At first it didn't bother me, I even laughed, but its so constant now and so old, to me its becoming a little unprofessional. I know they do it in jest but as I said to me its getting old. I don't really like Carltons style, as I said before personal preference. Mark Cole is ok if you team he up with someone like John H. I agree with you that the commentators for the DTM get little info to help do their job, but the same happens/happened with GP2 and FIA GT races on Eurosport and I think Martin Haven did a good job.

Obi

You didn't so much offend me, I just like to know what people think, not just random smilies.

I agree about the Mars Bar thing, it was funny. Not so much anymore. But their knowledge and the fact that the concentrate on the whole race, rather than one driver or the front runners is a welcome break from the drivel ITV come out with sometimes.

RacingMonk - No. Not joking. What's so bad about the clip you put up. Did he laugh at the driver? Did he cry about it ruining someone else's race? No he didn't, it was just concern. I saw nothing incompetant from that clip.

[OO7]

Originally posted by RacingBelle


I agree about the Mars Bar thing, it was funny. Not so much anymore. But their knowledge and the fact that the concentrate on the whole race, rather than one driver or the front runners is a welcome break from the drivel ITV come out with sometimes.

Carlton did use to go on about Gary Paffet quite a bit though, dispite the great job Gary was doing.

Obi

[Josta]

Originally posted by Obi Offiah


Firstly RacingBelle I apologise if I've offended you. The smilies I posted were just to indicate surprise that you regard them as the best commentary team (of course everyone is entitled to there own opinion). One of the things I don't like is the way that they constantly go on about Norbert Haug's weight and eating Mars bars etc. At first it didn't bother me, I even laughed, but its so constant now and so old, to me its becoming a little unprofessional. I know they do it in jest but as I said to me its getting old. I don't really like Carltons style, as I said before personal preference. Mark Cole is ok if you team he up with someone like John H. I agree with you that the commentators for the DTM get little info to help do their job, but the same happens/happened with GP2 and FIA GT races on Eurosport and I think Martin Haven did a good job.

Obi

I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking the piss out of fatties. They deserve it because it is their own fault for eating too much. They are basically greedy, and generally lazy.

[TickTickBooom]

Originally posted by Josta


I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking the piss out of fatties. They deserve it because it is their own fault for eating too much. They are basically greedy, and generally lazy.

Someone's been reading the papers.

Totally off-topic, but google MCR4 and obesity. It's not all pork pies and Mars bars, you know.

*thwaps upside the head and hands thread back*

[RedBaron]

Originally posted by Dooly Tilly

RedBaron?? Not the RedBaron from F1 online back in the old days??

F1.on.net ? Yeh. I remember you... haha, uh oh.

[mclarensmps]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Chris Goodwin sucks

No he doesn't. He'd be great.

[Josta]

Originally posted by TickTickBooom

Someone's been reading the papers.

Totally off-topic, but google MCR4 and obesity. It's not all pork pies and Mars bars, you know.

*thwaps upside the head and hands thread back*

I take it you are over 30 stone?

I'm not fat, I'm big boned!!!

[jonpollak]

Originally posted by RacingBelle
Because I'm female. And hot.

Prove it...

Originally posted by RacingBelle
Best commentary team I know are Mark and Carlton of DTM fame. They are awesome.

Oh Dear Oh Dear....
2 fellas sitting in their living room talking over a tv feed is NOT AWESOME.
The Grand Canyon is AWESOME.


Lets see...
My pie in the sky team would be...

Brundle,Croft,Mark Hughes,Nigel Roebuck, Anne Bradshaw and Jackie Stewart
Additional red button commentary by....Gareth Jones, Peter Kay, and a random member of the public selected fortnightly by all the other commentators.

We can dream can't we?
Jp

[OO7]

Originally posted by jonpollak

Prove it...


Oh Dear Oh Dear....
2 fellas sitting in their living room talking over a tv feed is NOT AWESOME.
The Grand Canyon is AWESOME.


Lets see...
My pie in the sky team would be...

Brundle,Croft,Mark Hughes,Nigel Roebuck, Anne Bradshaw and Jackie Stewart
Additional red button commentary by....Gareth Jones, Peter Kay, and a random member of the public selected fortnightly by all the other commentators.

We can dream can't we?
Jp

jon what do you think of Ben Edwards?

[stevvy1986]

edwards and brundle as commentators,jardine or someone like him as analyst (just as long as their sentences arent like blundell's,ie 'well steve wot i fink they gone done is they drove that driving vehicle very fast past that other driving vehicle cos they is faster than that uvver 1) not sure who shud present the coverage,keep kravitz in the pits,get rid of goodman

[Aquarius]

I'm definitely rooting for Ben Edwards . First heard him commentating CART for EuroSport in 2000 and was very impressed.

[TickTickBooom]

Originally posted by Josta


I take it you are over 30 stone?

I'm not fat, I'm big boned!!!

No, I'm not. Not that it's anything to do with you anyway, but I'm a perfectly "average" size. It's simply that I can see, and enjoy seeing, further than the end of my non-bigoted nose. There's a big wide world out there; go explore.

Originally posted by jonpollak

Prove it...

I can vouch for the schmexi little minx!

[Flynnie]

Originally posted by Josta


I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking the piss out of fatties. They deserve it because it is their own fault for eating too much. They are basically greedy, and generally lazy.

Yeah, Norbert Haug's so lazy that he runs Mercedes motorsport while you're jerking off on a message board.

Great logic there, einstein.

[SchuOz]

In a recent interview David Coulthard said he would consider a commentary role at the BBC for the 2009 season. BBC got the commercial rights to Formula 1 in Britian again from ITV. He said he would keep an open mind and consider commentating.

He said that opinions where needed in F1 when commentating and he has some and being a previous driver this would also benefit in a great way, he said it could go hand in hand with his consultancy work for Red Bull Racing. The BBC pretty much set some names for commentary already but this role could be a third commentator role like BBC do in many big events like Wimbledon.

[Josta]

Originally posted by Flynnie

Yeah, Norbert Haug's so lazy that he runs Mercedes motorsport while you're jerking off on a message board.

Great logic there, einstein.

Well clearly running Mercedes motorsport doesn't involve too much physical activity. It is a fact that if you regularly consume more than you burn, you will be fat. This means that Norbert is spending far more time stuffing his face with lard than engaging in physical activity. This is why he is fat.

It seems as though criticizing smokers because it is unhealthy and causes lung cancer is OK, but criticizing fatties isn't even though CHD is by far the biggest killer in the world.

BTW, I don't know what kind of weird fetish you are into, but personally I don't find anything on this message board suitable for jerking off to, but whatever floats your boat. (Well, maybe some of the Mosley thread)

[RacingBelle]

Originally posted by jonpollak

Prove it...

Get stuffed.

Oh Dear Oh Dear....
2 fellas sitting in their living room talking over a tv feed is NOT AWESOME.
The Grand Canyon is AWESOME.


Lets see...
My pie in the sky team would be...

Brundle,Croft,Mark Hughes,Nigel Roebuck, Anne Bradshaw and Jackie Stewart
Additional red button commentary by....Gareth Jones, Peter Kay, and a random member of the public selected fortnightly by all the other commentators.

We can dream can't we?
Jp

You obviously can. I have my AWESOME commentating team commentates every other Sunday. Yours is where exactly?

The Grand Canyon isn't that awesome, it's just a load of rocks. Try something impressive and awesome like the pyramids at Giza, Easter Island or maybe the Mayan Ruins in Mexico.

Get a life. There's no need to be so damn critical all the time. Each to their own.

[undersquare]

After Silverstone last weekend, Toby Moody is a must-have for the BBC. Anyone else would be just dull.

[The July Plot]

Originally posted by VoidNT
ITV's Charlie Webster is a good prospect to be a co-presenter of F1

That was a joke, right?