Jonathan Legard out of the commentary box for 2011 to be confirmed
"Coulthard replacing Legard is a done deal"
Jonathan Legard, who became the BBCs lead commentator for Formula 1 coverage in 2009 is set to leave after only two seasons. The former 5live commentator failed to “gel” with his co-commentator, the much loved Martin Brundle. Legards unpopularity and his lack of chemistry with Brundle has caused the BBC to take action and terminate his contract.
Although this is yet to be confirmed the most likely replacement is current BBC pundit and ex-Formula 1 driver, David Coulthard. The BBC have said they are yet to confirm their 2011 line up but Crash.net has been informed that Coulthard replacing Legard is a done deal.
Although it leaves us with a predicament. Of course David Coulthard knows his stuff about F1 but if he is set to take the reigns of BBC commentary you have to question whether Coulthard has the excitement in his voice to represent Formula 1 as the exhilarating experience it is.
What are you thoughts? Is this a good move? Who would you like to see replace Legard?
Posted by Sean Russell - Follow him on twitter @SeanRussellF1.
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Last Comment Posted »
I'm really excited to to hear DC and Martin Brundle now!
MB knows what he's doing and I'm sure could have coped perfectly fine in a lead...
by Jimmy@enterF1
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Recent comments on this article:
#1 Jimmy@enterF1 | 16 Dec 2010, 17:30 Reply »
This is big news if it's true! I really hope it is, it needs a shake up!
Not sure about DC though? I love him in the paddock but your are right Sean about his voice not being overly exciting.
He was the man LIVE on air when the Red Bulls crashed last year and all he said was "ohh no"
#2 Hannah | 16 Dec 2010, 17:47 Reply »
Legard going is definitely the right move - he is awful. Not so sure Coulthard's the right replacement - they already have the ex-driver (Brundle) so I'd say a better replacement would be someone like David Croft from 5live, who doesn't necessarily have the F1 racing background but still knows their stuff.
#3 Jimmy@enterF1 | 16 Dec 2010, 18:14 Reply »
David Croft would be perfect, but then you'd get an army of 5Live fans who would want him back probably!
I wonder if they could combine TV and radio coverage. For the sake of altering the commentary style ever so slightly i'm sure you could combine both!
#4 srussell | 16 Dec 2010, 18:23 Reply »
Murray Walker anyone? :P
#5 Jimmy@enterF1 | 16 Dec 2010, 18:33 Reply »
lol headline is coming:
"Murray Walker pulled out of retirement in major BBC F1 shake up"
#6 Sadhbh | 16 Dec 2010, 20:00 Reply »
I am glad he's gone. I gave him time when he still sounded like a radio commentator. He doesn't sound like one anymore he just sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Maybe David Coulthard isn't the best choice though as he doesn't ever really get animated.
#7 Jimmy@enterF1 | 16 Dec 2010, 22:51 Reply »
Don't curse it Sadhbh! 'Going' not 'gone' :-P
let's hope so anyway...
#8 DaylightGambler | 16 Dec 2010, 23:09 Reply »
Legard was the weakest link of an otherwise fantastic team. Really not sure about DC though - he is great as a pundit, but as a commentator?
#9 Jimmy@enterF1 | 17 Dec 2010, 10:07 Reply »
From what I'm reading it does in fact sound like Coulthard will be 'dove tailing' his punditry role WITH commentary role in 2011.
I really don't dislike Jonathan Legard as a person, it's based purely about what I hear over the coverage that forms the opinion I do on him. He's fair cop when it comes to doing voice overs in preview or news clips for Formula 1, however I doubt that is enough to keep him on the team!
#10 Marty P | 18 Dec 2010, 09:06 Reply »
I agree with everyone here that Legard isn't a great commentator, and that DC wouldn't be much of an improvement. I think the perfect mix is someone who can tell the story of the race with the right level of excitement, and someone else who can provide deeper analysis.
My own opinion is that a guy over here called Neil Crompton is probably the best motorsport commentator going around. It's a shame he has no connection to F1 or the BBC because he would be the perfect replacement, and always did a very good job calling the Australian Grand Prix on local telly (doing so alongside Murray Walker in '06 and '07). I couldn't find a YouTube clip to share of that, but I did find this one of him commentating the first lap of a wet touring car race – whilst driving!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro9Rf3Ul_Ng
#11 Mitchy | 27 Dec 2010, 10:08 Reply »
Legard is useless...hes either 10 minutes behind or to far ahead...Bahrain he said after 15 laps of Vettel saying "Loss of power" he said Alonso surely knows vettel has a problem massa does and surely vettel does!" he also couldnt tell the difference between a rear wing and front wing on Trullis car in Abu Dhabi...
#12 Gougie | 10 Jan 2011, 14:21 Reply »
I think James Allen who used to do it with Martin Brundle on ITV would be a good choice. He was good when he used to do it, has the experience, knows his stuff, has the excitement in his voice and has worked well with Martin before.
#13 Sadhbh | 11 Jan 2011, 12:38 Reply »
He's finally confirmed as gone and Coulthard will be taking over. I wonder who will take over Coulthard's spot next to Eddie Jordan? Karun Chandok maybe?
#14 Harry | 11 Jan 2011, 15:52 Reply »
A sport like F1 does not need over-excited commentators like those found in football and similar sports.
Legard, like James Allen before him, both had a tendancy to be childishly shrill and consequently ended up spouting utter tosh as a result.
I have the greatest respect for James Allen, now that he no longer commentates, his F1 website is first class.
#15 Chris Crawford | 12 Jan 2011, 20:46 Reply »
I know exactly the style of commentator I would like, however I don't think they would fit in the scene. But Toby Moody and Julian Ryder must be the best ever paring. However, they would be sorely missed in MotoGP which I follow as much, but if we could replicate that style, with their passion changed from Motorbikes to F1.... surely that would be the winner....
#16 Jimmy@enterF1 | 18 Jan 2011, 17:41 Reply »
I'm really excited to to hear DC and Martin Brundle now!
MB knows what he's doing and I'm sure could have coped perfectly fine in a lead commentator role had Jon Legard or even James Allen not taken up that place.
Time will eventually reveal all!
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