FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Stephen]

I was debating this with my cat this morning, and decided to run my thoughts past you lot! As many of you know, F1 coverage in the UK is moving to the BBC from ITV, where Martin Brundle is currently a commentator:
http://www.forumula1.com/2008/f1/f1-new ... o-the-bbc/

As you can imagine, the cat, apart from licking his genitals (the lucky sod, only if I were that flexible - I'd never go out) really didn't add much to the discussion, but he's a great listener. Martin Brundle is a much loved commentator, and unlike many in that profession, has the experience to back it up. However, I wonder if the BBC will hire him for their coverage in 2009 given his 'say it how it is' attitude. What are you thoughts?

Some examples:
Canadian GP - Pikey Incident
http://www.forumula1.com/2008/f1/f1-new ... ey-remark/

Run in with the FIA
http://www.forumula1.com/2007/f1/f1-new ... day-times/
http://www.forumula1.com/2007/f1/f1-new ... -fia-writ/
http://www.forumula1.com/2007/f1/f1-new ... st-column/

Brundle wears 'stop the c*ck' campaign t-shirt, the c*ck being his fellow commentator James Allen
http://www.forumula1.com/2007/f1/f1-new ... -coverage/

Amusing Kimi interview - comedy gold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3BrGOIwxI

There is also a 'Save Martin Brundle' petition if you wish to sign it:
http://www.forumula1.com/2008/f1/f1-new ... es-future/

[Kiwi_Chris]

Brundle is def not a 'risk' to the BBC one of the great things about him is that he is truely passionate for the sport and wont back down on issues - even if he isnt involved

The best thing the BBC can do is hire brundle he controversal yes but i wonder how many pple would still be watching the ITV feed without him

Oh they need to bring back Murry for the britsh grand prix - Brundle and Walker again would be great

[EwanM]

Brundle is def not a 'risk' to the BBC one of the great things about him is that he is truely passionate for the sport and wont back down on issues - even if he isnt involved

The best thing the BBC can do is hire brundle he controversal yes but i wonder how many pple would still be watching the ITV feed without him

Oh they need to bring back Murry for the britsh grand prix - Brundle and Walker again would be great

I think Martin Brundle is the one of the main reasons why ITV coverage has been highly acclaimed by so many, such as Bafta. He has won many awards for his commentaries and also he appears to be highly respected in the television world and the F1 paddock. Also his past racing experiences are really shown in his wide range of knowledge and his features, such as Track guide and this years "60 Years of Silverstone".

I think the Pikey's thing was a little bit far, but he isn't a Blue Peter presenter or anything, no need to be sacked. The BBC coverage needs someone like him. God knows who else would be able to replace him. He's committed to the job after all, remember in 97 he turned down Larini's Sauber to carry on working for ITV?

On another note was it Martin Brundle with the T shirt? Or was it his running buddy Mark Blundell?

[texasmr2]

I dont know who the guy is with the t-shirt but it's in reference to this:

[EwanM]

I dont know who the guy is with the t-shirt but it's in reference to this:

Yeah that's the same thing. A whole group of them went to Silverstone one year wearing them and sat directly below the ITV commentary box. Pity the camera never picked it up.

[Lem]

As much as I like Brundle I really think John Watson is fantastic alongside Ben Edwards. That would be my choice, with Brundle doing the gridwalk, plenty of interesting pre-race features and perhaps a regular analysis position during the race, rather like what Simon Hughes had when Channel 4 had the live test cricket rights. Obviously, Watson is getting on so in 5/10 years time get Brunders creaming out some hot co-commentary action again.

[McLaren Fan]

James Allen is the biggest knob ever to commentate not just for Formula One, but in any sport. The man has me wanting to throw things at my television set and, sometimes, I just hold my head in my hands, unsure whether to laugh or cry. I pity Brundle having to associate with the man for several days every other week. ITV's coverage of Formula One has generally been poor, certainly since Tony Jardine left. The number of breaks for advertising and their length is scandalous, and that they can't even find a studio to discuss the Grands Prix really epitomises how bad their coverage is. Only Brundle has stopped it from becoming completely unbearable. I signed the petition for him to stay and got a few of my family to do the same. Brundle has the experience required to be a good commentator, tells things like they are, doesn't come out with utterly absurd remarks like his co-commentator, and doesn't blow his own trumpet. The BBC would probably like to offer him a job, but as the organisation is so politically correct, I fear they might not offer him a job. Hopefully the huge outcry of support for him will ensure the BBC do ask him to do commentary for them next year.

I agree with Lem about John Watson. Like Brundle, he has a wealth of experience, doesn't talk up his own abilities and achievements and gives an honest account of events. I'd love to see him commentate with Brundle. (Also, he's a fellow Ulsterman )

Brawn is right to criticise the sloppy Formula One coverage we get in Britain. Having split times, more information on the speed traps etc. would be very welcome. That's not the type of information that commentators can easily get across to the viewers, so Allen and Brundle can't really be blamed for this lack of information (although they should probably have realised that Rosberg was slapped with a stop-go penalty at the weekend), so having it available in captions would be handy.

So, to conclude, sack Allen, keep Brundle, employ John Watson, and give us more captions!

[Hanwombat]

[McLaren Fan]

[al4x]

x2

if brundle goes it wont be anywhere near as good imo
whereas if you know who goes it will be waaay better [see quoted pic hehe]

[7UpJordan]

Brilliant!!!

Did you do that or did Mike help you on this one?

[Hanwombat]

Nah I got it off a site

[Selcouth_Feline]

Didn't Anthony Davidson do the commentary in Hungary '06 when Brundle took his customary break? IIRC he was pretty good - if he doesn't get a drive next season (and I really hope he does as I think he's a lot better than some of the other drivers in F1!), maybe the BBC will employ him

[7UpJordan]

So who's going to be doing Brundle's shift in Hungary this year? Last year it was Damon Hill. Wonder what kind of reaction we'd get if it was Mansell.

[Kiwi_Chris]

I just had a random thought - with the BBC taking over they could draft the Top Gear team in, ok it wouldnt win awards or be the best commentary ever but my god it would be funny