POLL! BBC Commentary 2011: The Contenders
- Published on Dec 23rd, 2010 by Jack LamureWith rumours growing that Jonathan Legard has been or will soon be relieved of his duties as BBC F1 commentator (let's face it: we know he won't be Brundle's partner in 2011) there's been plenty of chat from F1 fans as to who should take "The Ledge's" place in the commentary box. Now Badger's getting in on the act, rating the potential candidates for this most sacred of jobs.
David Croft
In many ways David Croft is the natural choice for the role. He does a fine job as the BBC's radio and 'red button' commentator and is popular with a wide spectrum of F1 fans, from the newbies to the hardcore. His chatty, friendly style is mixed with a good knowledge of and passion for the sport and he can remain calm when things get frantic on-track.
But would he work alongside Martin Brundle? Their styles are quite different, and it's possible that the new partnership just wouldn't click. It's clear that the Beeb recognise Martin's popularity and they may want to pair him with someone who compliments him. There is, therefore, a feeling that it might be best to leave Crofty where he is, alongside Anthony Davidson in the 5Live commentary box. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Then again we must sometimes take risks if we are to truly make the most of life, and the BBC would make a lot of fans happy if they promoted Crofty to their main commentary position. Being as he's already part of the corporation there's got to be a good chance of this, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if it was his voice we heard as the 2011 season gets underway in Bahrain.
David Coulthard
We're told he's the man earmarked to join Brundle in the commentary box next year and, frankly, we're a bit surprised. Not that he's taken badly to the telly game: DC has proved to be a very good pundit, offering a level of common sense and calm that Eddie Jordan simply can't.
But a commentator? His voice is ever so slightly monotone, and we wonder if he could inject the energy in to it that's needed for commentary.
On the plus side he is a hugely experienced F1 racer with bags of memories to call on - more so, perhaps, than Brundle. He's also got a great relationship with the man he'd be commentating alongside, with Martin having acted as David's manager for over a decade and the two being good mates. That would certainly help prevent any early nervousness between the new pairing. And, if none of that convinces you, simply enjoy the knowledge that a promotion to the commentary box would mean we didn't have to see DC in his tight, white trousers on a fortnightly basis. That should provide comfort for almost everyone.
Ben Edwards
For many years fans have been calling out for this man to commentate on F1. He has actually done so, hooking up with John Watson to talk us through both Eurosport's coverage in the early nineties Sky TV's unpopular F1 Digital coverage in 2001.
An ex-racing driver himself, Edwards has covered a vast array of series over the years. His commentary duties for Champ Car, Superleague Formula, A1GP and a host of touring car championships mean the guy is a true motorsport pro. For some A+ commentary check out the below video of Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Andretti's final lap Champ Car dice back in 2000. Edwards manages to convey the huge excitement of the situation whilst remaining in control. Imagine how Legard would have handled this one. Frightening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQZ6MjtGPQ
So he's passionate, knowledgeable and able to talk to both the hardcore fan and the F1 newcomer - it all suggests Edwards would be the best man for the job. But will he get the chance? We'd be very surprised; the Beeb like to hire from within.
James Allen
Everyone was rather against James when he led the ITV commentary team but was he that bad? Yes he can be a bit of a jingoist at times and perhaps too much of a nerd for a sport always seeking new fans but here's the key question: was he as a controversial and as poorly received a choice as Legard? No, he wasn't.
His knowledge is good, his passion can't be questioned (the guy called his kids Enzo and Emerson for crying out loud) and he never got in to the sort of muddles Legard has. Okay, he's not the ideal choice by any stretch - and highly unlikely in any case - but if we do get him it will at least be a step up. It will, however, give new life to the thousands of online campaigns to give him the push.
Charlie Cox
Moto GP is the two-wheeled rival to Formula One, in terms of global audience and and spectacle - and some say that Charlie Cox, the main commentator, could easily transfer his skills to four-wheeled commentary. He's also an ex-racer, having competed in many series including the massively popular BTCC in the 90s. As well as Moto GP commentary, he's also been the host of the down-under version of Top Gear, so he's not shy to the public in anyway and must be doing something right!
To add a little spice to Cox as a possibility, he's also confirmed that he's leaving the BBC Moto GP commentary... hear him in action here, commentating on a bit of World Superbike action:
[youtube width="580" height="460"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhMotfvCyQ
Martin Haven
The outsider - sorry Martin - is Mr. Martin Haven. He does a good job on Eurosport's GP2 commentary, bringing an amusingly school teacher-like style to the way he chastises some of the more erratic driving on display in F1's waiting room. He also covers an array of other racing series and can even be heard chatting us through bobsleigh racing at times - diverse! We wouldn't put any money on him but the guy can commentate and would be a good, if rather surprising, choice for the BBC's top job.
YOU DECIDE!
Using our poll below you can select up to two people you'd like to see partner Martin Brundle in 2011, in replacement for Jonathan Legard... make your choices folks and we'll give feedback to the Beeb - if you have any comments to support you choice, make them in the comments box below...
[poll id=9]
oh and i’d love to see a mark webber movie he is the most...
Comments and Discussion
You may not have noticed this, but the BBC seem to be going out of their way to remove James Allen from existence.
He's never linked to in the F1 gossip column and in the 'Classic Grand Prix' series, the BBC have done a hatchet job on the races he commentated for by removing his commentary (but leaving Brundle's in) and inserting Legard telling a story about the race!
So I would say I would be surprised if the BBC picked him as their commentator. I'd probably go for Crofty, Ben Edwards or Martin Haven. I wasn't keen on James Allen, DC sounds too monotone and deadpan, and Charlie Cox seems like he says what he does just to amuse himself...
Next they'll have someone humming loudly when he puts the questions to the drivers in the post-race press conference.
Maybe the BBC have removed James Allen from the history of F1 for a good reason. I really hope he doesn't come back as I'm not sure my 'Stop the Cock' T-Shirt will fit me anymore! On the upside, however, with the BBC red button facility and Crofty being there, at leasta ll would not be lost.
I'd pick Ben Edwards. A top bloke, great commentator and someone that can convey passion, knowledge and understanding without being patronising (take note Mr L).
How's this for a theory. Since Legard came up through radio, Crifty takes over the TV and Legard goes back to radio...
I'd like to say thanks for including Martin Haven, even if you think he's an unlikely candidate. I've been enjoying his spirited commentary on GP2 and WTCC this year, and I'd really like to see (hear) him on the beeb. He also did the Race of Champions commentary on MotorsTV
But I do always seem to be the only one bringing up his name in these discussions.
IMO, Crofty would actually be the best replacement, but I think it would be too much of a loss for 5Live. His ability to juggle football updates, red button/5LiveSX commentary and succinct summaries for 5live always impresses me (even if I'd personally prefer not to have the interruptions!). He's got a great knowledge of most other sports, unlike most motorsports commentators and ex-drivers (darts, anyone?), and so he's just the perfect guy for 5Live's purposes.
I've liked Ben Edwards ever since I heard him on the Indy Car commentary in the days of Zanardi in the 90s.
I think he's a great commentator because he tries to portray excitement by using exciting words rather than the James Allen approach of just SHOUTING LOUDER.
David Croft would be my second choice - he's a top commentator and I've enjoyed his free practice commentary although I've not heard his race commentary (other than *those* 3 minutes in Japan)
Although I was so glad that The Cock wasn't kept on by the BBC, it should be noted that before he joined ITV, he was a good journalist for Autosport and also his column/blog he does these days is pretty good. I just think he didn't know how to behave on TV when he got the gig. The screams of "I told you so" when Kimi's tyre burst in Germany in 2005 was possibly the worst bit of TV commentary on any sport ever.
Agreed Rob, Martin Haven does do a great job of GP2 and WTCC. He's not the right man for the BBC and he'll never get the role but he deserves a bit of recognition for his good work.
Ben Edwards seems a top-notch choice to me! He has been brilliant in the Superleague Formula and IndyCar coverage that he has done and would give a far more professional and composed delivery than Mr Legard - I also don't imagine he would consistently get the Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars mixed up, for God's sake! :p
Legard, as a commentator, fills me with scarce amounts of confidence that his facts and observations are true that I don't believe anything new he says unless confirmed or corrected by Martin Brundle, who himself is sensibly irreplaceable.
To sum up:
- Ben Edwards and Martin Brundle for BBC TV F1 coverage
- David Croft, Anthony Davidson (and Karun Chandhok, when not racing) for BBC radio F1 coverage
- Jake Humphreys, Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard for BBC TV F1 presenters/punditry
- Ted Kravitz, Lee McKenzie etc. for BBC TV F1 reporters
(essentially the same as last year - only Legard was broken, so the rest doesn't need fixing)
Martin Haven does an amazing job of GP2 given the terrible pictures he gets to see and the total lack of information. Given the BBC's access to F1 I think he'd do a bloody good job!
Martin x2 ... yes please.
Crofty or Edwards would be very good don't think you could go wrong with either. DC has been a great pundit but hes not a commentator he should be left where he is.
I thought DC was a done deal, like it or lump it! I think he will be OK as a commentator, maybe let Antony Davidson have a go at it too if DC is in DTM or whatever.
I really hope not. There's quite a difference between commentating and commenting.
One thing I didn't realise about Ben Edwards is he actually used to race in the lower formulae and instructed at race schools too so he's also speaking about something he's done rather than just watched:
http://www.entreprix.co.uk/about_ben.html
I think the BBC did the right thing promoting Legard from within, and it didn't work out. That's a shame, but I still think they were right to try.
I'm going trust the Beeb to get it right second time - their coverage has been outstanding, and all their other personnel choices have worked out superbly. Eddie might be a bit annoying sometimes, but he gets some great interviews, and I love watching DC struggling to contain his reactions to EJ's special moments.
my vote is for david croft he's brilliant at commentating 5live and the free practices
You forgot Leigh Diffey, who has been put forward as strong possibility.
Either way, it has to be Ben Edwards. Anything else would be an injustice.
Amen.
No worries there - there are no clashes between DTM and F1 in 2011. Ant will miss Canada to race at Le Mans and possibly a few others depending on his Peugeot commitments.
Indeed
Agreed David - DC should stay where he is - the bickering with EJ and Jake is great
Very true Andre - the BBC have done a grand job, with a new commentator alongside Brundle their coverage will be priceless...
I think you'll find that Allen's commentary was removed because he was contracted to ITV. The F1 videos always belong to Bernie's commercial thingy and so become available to the current broadcaster. But the commentator sounds belong to whoever employed them at the time. It's why when ITV showed historic races, they only had Murray's voice on them, because he was contracted to ITV and Palmer wasn't.
In the same way that Brundle is now contracted to the BBC, and therefore his voice is part of the BBC, whereas Allen's is not.
It's something like that, i probably haven't explained it very well.
I chose Allen anyway, he and Martin complemented each other well and together knew more about the sport than all the other commentator's put together.
I'm getting ready for some hate here...but I liked James Allen's commentary. I thought he worked well with Brundle. He had knowledge and enthusiasm, I'd love to see him back in the commentary box.
James Allen's biggest problem was that he was trying to fill the gap left by the god-like Murrary Walker, who'd been the voice of F1 for so long that anyone else was an imposter.
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Well put, Dave-we might have disagreed on some points in the past, but I'm with you on this one. James's enthusiasm was oft times a little 'OTT' but if he restrains it a little, once again he and Martin will make a great team.
Thanks for the info Dave!
Anybody BUT James Allen please!
To Racehound: I'm sorry, I can't agree with any of that and I don't share your opinion. For one, Davidson and Chandhok are full of information and do a terrific job in commentary.
Ben Edwards definitely!!
Indeed David M - Chandhok was impressive in the R5Live box with Crofty - great team!
Charlie Cox is a red herring I'm afraid guys. The Aussie the beeb wanted was Leigh Diffey but he's staying put doing commentary in the States.
All the talk coming out of BBC sources right now is that Legard will go back to football and DC will join Martin in the box.
So... another year of watching F1 on the beeb with 5 Live commentary, then.
dc would be excellent alongside martin but david croft is a better commentator than martin and don't pick cox he justs puts people to sleep and haven puts my head in