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[onelapdown]

OK, so plenty of people have been irritated by James Allen, think he's too biased and that he hypes things up, but I've got to say, I think he did an OK job considering. I found a website where I could download full races from the past, and the ESPN coverage really showed me just how lucky we are in Britain. I honestly think our coverage is the best I've seen anywhere.

I watched the 1994 Japanese GP and the commentators were too distracted by the Mansell/Alesi battle to convey the critical information at that point - that Hill was putting in the spellbinding laps between Schumacher's pit stop and his own that ultimately won him the race. I couldn't see that being missed by an ITV or BBC crew. They also failed to spot that when Hill left the pits he was ahead of Schumacher on the road - they assumed that since he was behind Mansell he must have been fourth, rather than third ahead of Schumacher. Frankly, as amusing as the commentators were at times they failed to do the overall job they were there to do, i.e. tell me the shape of the race, and if I hadn't known the result in advance I would have been utterly confused.

Also I take it a few people on here saw the YouTube videos of the Spanish and Brazilian coverage of the Brazilian GP (before Bernie's goons had them removed), where both crews completely failed to spot that Vettel and Hamilton had passed Glock. Frankly, I think that was inexcusable, and showed a very poor ability to read a race. If I could tell that the cars to watch out for on the last lap were Vettel and Glock (not that I expected Hamilton to pass, but that it was something to watch out for) what the hell are they getting paid for if they can't? It's not as if it happened out of view, it was quite clear on the international TV feed. I do have to give credit to the German language commentators though - "Achtung: Glock!" summed it up in a way no other language could!!!

So overall I thought it worth pointing out that, to be fair to the guy, there are much MUCH worse commentators than James Allen.

[bud]

im actually gonna miss him

[KyrosV]

[EwanM]

If you REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY
Miss James so bad - why not read his blog.

www.jamesallenonf1.com

He says himself that he is staying in the F1 media next season. Doing what exactly? He will announce soon...

[mazza369]

im actually gonna miss him

I'll see how good his replacement is first. If it's Legard as rumoured, it won't be an improvement for me.

I reckon he's done a good job. Whoever replaced Murray was never going to be a much loved figure, but I've grown used to him and Brundle on a Sunday afternoon for the last 7 or so years and I think they work well together. He obviously doesn't capture the moment or drama as well as Murray did but he is very good at reading a race and is very knowledgable, moreso than Walker. I think the people who 'hate' him (hate is a very strong word for someone you don't know) make out that he is far, far worse than he actually is. In my opinion he can walk away with his head held high.

I know there's a small chance of it happening but Ben Edwards and Brundle are the dream team.

[juggles]

im actually gonna miss him

I'll see how good his replacement is first. If it's Legard as rumoured, it won't be an improvement for me.

I reckon he's done a good job. Whoever replaced Murray was never going to be a much loved figure, but I've grown used to him and Brundle on a Sunday afternoon for the last 7 or so years and I think they work well together. He obviously doesn't capture the moment or drama as well as Murray did but he is very good at reading a race and is very knowledgable, moreso than Walker. I think the people who 'hate' him (hate is a very strong word for someone you don't know) make out that he is far, far worse than he actually is. In my opinion he can walk away with his head held high.

I know there's a small chance of it happening but Ben Edwards and Brundle are the dream team.

surely not, Murray Walker's been watching it every year since it started in 1950. He's an encyclopedia of F1 facts. And as for your first statement, I think Allen has his moments in terms of capturing a moment; I loved his commentary at the end of Silverstone this year, and his fit when Button won Hungary was hilarious. I did think he could've made the last ten seconds of the Brazilian GP 08 more dramatic though, he should've started shouting like he did for Button, but he sounded a bit unexcited. Still, nobody's perfect, and I've grown partial to him over the last few years.

[onelapdown]

im actually gonna miss him

I'll see how good his replacement is first. If it's Legard as rumoured, it won't be an improvement for me.

I reckon he's done a good job. Whoever replaced Murray was never going to be a much loved figure, but I've grown used to him and Brundle on a Sunday afternoon for the last 7 or so years and I think they work well together. He obviously doesn't capture the moment or drama as well as Murray did but he is very good at reading a race and is very knowledgable, moreso than Walker. I think the people who 'hate' him (hate is a very strong word for someone you don't know) make out that he is far, far worse than he actually is. In my opinion he can walk away with his head held high.

I know there's a small chance of it happening but Ben Edwards and Brundle are the dream team.

I don't know if you're being a bit critical of Murray Walker. He had a great knowledge of the sport, not least because he'd been at most of the F1 races in person! I remember when the 5Live commentator had to miss the European GP in 2007 because his wife was in labour, and Murray stepped in. I had to put the radio on over the TV to hear that fantastic voice again, and as all the cars slid off at turn one Murray said "now this reminds me of Silverstone in 1972..." and I thought what on earth is he rambling on about now, then thought "hang on... he's right there you know!" I think Murray's reading of a race was pretty good, although it might be he had a knack of creating interesting but not entirely accurate narratives.

One other thing I'll say about Murray. I was at the Silverstone Classic this year and I walked into the infield where Murray was just signing the last few autographs before getting in the car to go. The sign on the gazebo said "Murray Walker signing autographs 12:00-4:30" so I looked at my watch - it was 6:30. What a ing legend.

[mazza369]

im actually gonna miss him

I'll see how good his replacement is first. If it's Legard as rumoured, it won't be an improvement for me.

I reckon he's done a good job. Whoever replaced Murray was never going to be a much loved figure, but I've grown used to him and Brundle on a Sunday afternoon for the last 7 or so years and I think they work well together. He obviously doesn't capture the moment or drama as well as Murray did but he is very good at reading a race and is very knowledgable, moreso than Walker. I think the people who 'hate' him (hate is a very strong word for someone you don't know) make out that he is far, far worse than he actually is. In my opinion he can walk away with his head held high.

I know there's a small chance of it happening but Ben Edwards and Brundle are the dream team.

surely not, Murray Walker's been watching it every year since it started in 1950. He's an encyclopedia of F1 facts. And as for your first statement, I think Allen has his moments in terms of capturing a moment; I loved his commentary at the end of Silverstone this year, and his fit when Button won Hungary was hilarious. I did think he could've made the last ten seconds of the Brazilian GP 08 more dramatic though, he should've started shouting like he did for Button, but he sounded a bit unexcited. Still, nobody's perfect, and I've grown partial to him over the last few years.

Buttons win wasn't his finest moment, but it's harsh to judge him on one GP. I'm not saying he's brilliant, just he's nowhere near as bad as people make out.

Re: Murray, I got my wires crossed there, I meant his knowledge is about level with MW but I thought his ability to read a race isn't as good as JA.

[8-ball]

As I have always said James Allen did an OK job. Not the best but certainly not as bad as everyone else makes out. You guys will miss him. I am already...

[cap-dude]

I thought he was a fine commentator. It was only his bais, which he attempted to cover up for. I've heard him say a properly nice thing about Massa, in Sliverstone 07, and Interlagos 08. Which were two brilliant drives. However when we take Hungary 08, after Massa pulled the great move on Lewis at the start, all Allen could talk about was how Lewis would catch him soon.
Whilst Damon Hill was beside Allen amazed at Massa's Race. Thats simply what I didn't like.

But apart from that, I wasn't terribly troubled listening to him. I just hope BBC can get good commentators.

[f1maniac95]

James Allen wasn't too bad I haven't ever heard Murray Walker commentating live I've only seen older F1 coverage with him commentating but James was quite good when Jenson Button won his 1st grand prix and he started shouting into the microphone.

[EwanM]

Allen was always going to have a hard time stepping into Murray Walker's shoes.
Walker's commentary can not be doubted - he was the best, mistake or not.
Think people are always going to be a bit cold on Allen - he didn't do a bad job, he just got a little excited.
Pre Monaco this year he was terrible for wanting to get into bed with the Hamiltons.
But then he apologised for it and I think his commentary has improved greatly.
Im actually going to miss ITV full stop - they were the best in the buisiness and the BBC will have a hard act to follow and probably not nearly the same budget.
As for the proposed line up - Legard is alright but he's not one for excitement. Id have got David Croft in from Five Live.
As for Jake Humphrey - god knows?

But yes Allen wasn't terrible - better pit reporter though.

[racechick]

I never really understood what all the fuss was about, he seemed ok to me. He mentioned Lewis in the same breath as Senna and all hell was unleashed on him. Folk make me laugh. I actually find Blundell far more annoying.

[Juliet P]

I never really understood what all the fuss was about, he seemed ok to me. He mentioned Lewis in the same breath as Senna and all hell was unleashed on him. Folk make me laugh. I actually find Blundell far more annoying.

I agree that James Allen is not as bad as people make out - but I find Blundell annoying because of his awful abuse of the english language...

Juliet

[Kate]

It's the silly comparisons which he comes out which annoy me...just make syou think wtf?!
like what he was rambling on about Anthony Hamilton "pacing up and down like an expectant father in the hospital...."
what?!lol.
As for next year - DC did an interview on Radio 2 a couple of months ago which very much pointed at him being heavily involved with the bbc for the F1, possibly even commentry....(he'll have to stop swearing so much first...!)