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Brundle, who began his broadcasting career beside Walker, has won awards as an analyst but the switch to calling the minute-by-minute drama of a Formula One race will present him with an altogether different challenge.
:D
That makes me unimaginably happy!! No more stupid errors and imbecilic comments...
It could put MB under lots of pressure though - according to that report he is planning to finish the grid walk, run back and do the intro. Surely it would make more sense for DC to do the intro so Martin can catch his breath??
dont worry martin and david are the boys! oh and ej!Martin Brundle will become BBC's new lead Formula 1 commentator this year, it has been announced, following a shake-up of the coverage plans for 2011.
Just hours after former commentator Jonathan Legard announced he would no longer be a part of the BBC team for this year, the corporation confirmed that Brundle would be stepping up to the lead role - with David Coulthard joining him as a co-commentator.
Brundle, who retired from F1 at the start of 1997, has forged a successful career as a broadcaster but this will be his first time as the main commentator.
Speaking about his new role, Brundle said: "I'm absolutely delighted and very motivated that BBC Sport has asked me to become the lead Formula 1 commentator alongside David Coulthard.
"We have been friends, rivals and colleagues for 18 years and combined we have driven in more than 400 F1 Grands Prix and attended over 700. I've never felt more passionate about Formula 1 and I can't wait to get started."
Coulthard is embarking on his third season with the BBC, having retired from F1 at the end of 2008. Although he is stepping up to the commentary box, he will continue to provide his expert analysis for both pre-race build-up and post-race shows.
"I'm very excited to be joining forces with Martin in this new role of co-commentator," said Coulthard. "F1 is all about challenging yourself and this will be a big challenge for me, but one that I am looking forward to. There is a great team on the BBC F1 show and we're looking forward to the year ahead and to bringing something new to our loyal viewers."
The BBC's decision to put two former racing drivers into the commentary box is viewed in some quarters as controversial - as it breaks away from the traditional set-up of using drivers only for expert analysis.
However, Ben Gallop, the BBC's Head of F1, thinks that Brundle's vast experience and his strong relationship with Coulthard, will prove to be a winner for fans.
"We're always looking for ways to take our Formula 1 coverage to another level - and for 2011 we have an exciting new combination in the commentary box," he said. "We're keen to make the most of Martin Brundle's wealth of broadcasting experience and his popularity with the audience by giving him the role of lead commentator and putting him alongside David Coulthard, one of the biggest names in British motorsport and a skilled race analyst.
"We want to tap into their combined on-track expertise - together they will provide our viewers with more immediate discussion, analysis and debate as the action happens. The results of screen tests have been very impressive and we are convinced this combination will deliver a fantastic commentary for our audience for what promises to be a thrilling 2011 season."
Gallop also paid tribute to former commentator Legard, who earned tremendous respect in the F1 paddock but whose commentary divided the opinion of fans.
"The change of direction we are taking unfortunately means there is no place for Jonathan Legard in our commentary set-up," added Gallop.
"We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Jonathan for his great work over the last two seasons. He is a first-rate journalist and broadcaster who has been a core member of our team, helping to re-establish BBC Sport as the nation's F1 broadcaster. We wish him all the very best for the future."
lets hope it works as well as I imagine it to do
!?"Pitpass wrote:">Coulthard to retain Red Bull role
David Coulthard, who earlier this week was confirmed as the co-commentator for BBC's F1 coverage this season, is to retain his role as 'consultant' with Red Bull.
The deal with Red Bull, said to be worth £4m a year, sees the Scot carry out a number of duties for the company whose racing team he drove for for four seasons before retiring at the end of the 2008 season.
There is already concern that the BBC's coverage of F1 is one long advertisement for the Austrian drink company, its F1 team appearing to give unreserved access to the British broadcaster almost to the exclusion of all others. Furthermore, ahead of his official confirmation as Martin Brundle's partner in the commentary box this season there was concern that if Coulthard retained the Red Bull role it might be seen as a clash of interests.
Today, Scotland's Daily Record has confirmed that Coulthard will continue with Red Bull, a move that has led to claims that this breaches the corporation's charter, which demands impartiality from journalists, commentators and sports pundits and commentators.
Defending the move, a BBC spokesperson said: "David Coulthard will not be asked to drop or suspend his ties with Red Bull in the interests of impartiality.
"We have always been aware of this off-air relationship, which has been the case for the last two years, and will continue to manage this editorially to ensure that the relationship doesn't compromise the output. "We take steps to ensure that none of the off-air relationships that our talent may have can compromise on-air activity."
However, this didn't wash with Labour culture spokeswoman Pauline McNeill, who told the Daily Record: "The BBC should already be considering the implications of this appointment. David Coulthard is a great catch for the BBC but they have to make sure the rules are applied equally to all staff. "The rules have to be the same for everyone - there can not be exceptions for individuals if impartiality is to be maintained."
"Any commercial interests that people like Mr Coulthard have should be totally transparent," added Ted Brocklebank, culture spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives. "These interests should be made public at the very least so that we know what his connections are when he is effectively working in the public sector at the BBC."
"This is a real test of transparency and a question of being vigilant," said Lib Dem spokesman for Scotland, Argyll and Bute MP Alan Reid. "If everything is kept above board and declared, there shouldn't be a problem. If he says anything unduly supportive of Red Bull or less than impartial, it will be noticed and acted on."
File under W for "What thePitpass wrote:">Coulthard to retain Red Bull role
David Coulthard, who earlier this week was confirmed as the co-commentator for BBC's F1 coverage this season, is to retain his role as 'consultant' with Red Bull.
The deal with Red Bull, said to be worth £4m a year, sees the Scot carry out a number of duties for the company whose racing team he drove for for four seasons before retiring at the end of the 2008 season.
There is already concern that the BBC's coverage of F1 is one long advertisement for the Austrian drink company, its F1 team appearing to give unreserved access to the British broadcaster almost to the exclusion of all others. Furthermore, ahead of his official confirmation as Martin Brundle's partner in the commentary box this season there was concern that if Coulthard retained the Red Bull role it might be seen as a clash of interests.
Today, Scotland's Daily Record has confirmed that Coulthard will continue with Red Bull, a move that has led to claims that this breaches the corporation's charter, which demands impartiality from journalists, commentators and sports pundits and commentators.
Defending the move, a BBC spokesperson said: "David Coulthard will not be asked to drop or suspend his ties with Red Bull in the interests of impartiality.
"We have always been aware of this off-air relationship, which has been the case for the last two years, and will continue to manage this editorially to ensure that the relationship doesn't compromise the output. "We take steps to ensure that none of the off-air relationships that our talent may have can compromise on-air activity."
However, this didn't wash with Labour culture spokeswoman Pauline McNeill, who told the Daily Record: "The BBC should already be considering the implications of this appointment. David Coulthard is a great catch for the BBC but they have to make sure the rules are applied equally to all staff. "The rules have to be the same for everyone - there can not be exceptions for individuals if impartiality is to be maintained."
"Any commercial interests that people like Mr Coulthard have should be totally transparent," added Ted Brocklebank, culture spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives. "These interests should be made public at the very least so that we know what his connections are when he is effectively working in the public sector at the BBC."
"This is a real test of transparency and a question of being vigilant," said Lib Dem spokesman for Scotland, Argyll and Bute MP Alan Reid. "If everything is kept above board and declared, there shouldn't be a problem. If he says anything unduly supportive of Red Bull or less than impartial, it will be noticed and acted on."
It was bad enough the last two years, but now they're letting him keep his role with Red Bull whilst he's commentating? This is just taking the p**s at this stage.
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