Formula One news

Brundle confirms BBC switch

Former driver Martin Brundle has confirmed he is to join the BBC for the upcoming Formula One season. Brundle, who last raced in F1 for Jordan in 1996, confirmed the move which had been rumoured since March when ITV announced the termination of their contract to hold the television rights to Formula One coverage in the United Kingdom.

The announcement comes despite rumours that the FIA attempted to prevent this following Brundle's own criticism of its leader Max Mosley earlier this year. Martin joins the BBC to once again fill the role as commentator although it had been possible that he could infact assume the role as anchorman, a position he temporarily took up for the this year's Japanese Grand Prix when ITV's regular presenter Steve Rider was presenting their international football coverage.

Having been dropped by the Jordan team as a driver at the end of the 1996 campaign, Martin was signed by ITV for the following year to be the perfect foil in the commentary box alongside the legendary Murray Walker. Brundle's quick wit and own experiences in the cockpit ensured he was instantly popular with the viewers, with his unplanned gridwalks before races hugely entertaining and successful.

Following Walker's retirement, Martin continued to commentate with former pit lane reporter James Allen between 2002 and 2008. Despite having admitted that the end of F1-ITV's coverage could be the right time to hang up the microphone, the question now is with regards to who will be Martin's co-commentator in the BBC booth; the most likely contenders include past BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Jonathan Legard, the recently retired David Coulthard and Brundle's own former boss Eddie Jordan.

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