ITV-F1 team to be axed in BBC switch?

[chris]

Having won the rights to broadcast Formula 1 from 2009, the BBC has revealed it is to keep production of its grand prix coverage ‘in-house', with two names emerging as key players for the major presenting roles.

Radio Five Live commentator David Croft is believed to have been earmarked for the lead commentating spot, according to Pitpass, with BBC stalwart Adrian Chiles set to take over Steve Rider's current position as the main presenter.

Rumours persist that BBC's hugely popular Top Gear team – comprising Jeremy Clarkson, Richard ‘Hamster' Hammond and James May, as well as the infamous Stig – will play some kind of part in the shows, but there appears to be little room for any of ITV-F1's current line-up of Rider, Martin Brundle, James Allen, Mark Blundell, Louise Goodman and Ted Kravitz et al.

The confirmation that the Beeb intends taking the production of the programmes in-house also spells the end of the involvement of North One, which has produced ITV's coverage since F1 made the switch across back in 1997.

source: Crash

 

[T_G]

Shame about Martin Brundle...they would be clever to take him, he has been by far the best race commentator in 50 years. And before anyone starts to howl about that whining old fool, forget it. Different league, Martin!

 

[rolfw]

I agree, I like his commentary, it is early days yet, so he may well get a slot.

 

[Topper]

I do not for one minute think there will not be one member of the team going to the Beeb, it may take a couple of races but the other two commentators do not know enough about the sport. David Croft and Adrian Chiles do football, cannot imagine them involved in F1, looks like I may be turning to other coverage then, perhaps brush up on my German