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Thursday 24th April 2008

PF1ers have been voicing their opinions on who should get the jobs when the BBC takes over F1 next season. And while most have different preferences, it seems everyone wants James Allen gone...

Got something to say? letters@planet-f1.com

One Should Stay, The Other Must Go
Who would I like to see most - Martin Brundle.

Who would I like to see least - James Allen.

It's kind of hard to nominate the rest as I am not aware who the candidates could be, but for the most part the ITV team are okay, although Louise is not a pit lane dolly any more. She does have the contacts, though and for me that's more important.

Kravitz is OK, but I think Steve Rider adds more value than Mark Blundell, even though Blundell has the knowledge that only comes with racing experience. We need someone to "chair" the broadcast and Steve Rider is good at that.

Personally, I'd like to more of Brundle's common sense, but I am not sure if one man can do so much. Perhaps cut out his "grid walk" which does seem a bit stale these days.

Finally, the man who made it all so exciting - Murray Walker - I think he deserves to retire! But I would value the odd guest appearance.
Colin Smith

...I think you got your dream team for the BBC job spot on - Brundle must get hired, and I just really really hope James Allen doesn't.
Paul, UK

...Your picks are great. The only one thing for sure, don't let Allen through the door.
Paul

If I Ruled The World...
COMMENTATORS:
Charlie Cox - what's wrong with having brains and a sense of humour?

PITLANE REPORTERS:
Ted Kravitz - it's probably true that nobody does techy stuff any better
Suzy Perry - very underrated, does a fabulous job on MotoGP, makes it look easy

PUNDITS
Martin Brundle - top banana, very good on business, politics & Machiavellian plots
David Coulthard - hypercritical of everything & everybody in a miserable b****** style, quite endearing really
Damon Hill - tends to take the long view when not too excited, a good, broad perspective on the sport in general

You know I'm right,
RP

Charlie Cox For Beep Job
I disagree with you about Charlie Cox. Indeed the BBC should transfer Parrish and Cox as a team, they would eat it alive.

Steve Parrish would easily deal with the conversion to four wheels (as he did with trucks) and has an absolute wealth of experience in the business of racing "machines", inc. planes!

He and Charlie Cox are a pleasure to listen to. They are accurate, right on the ball and after all, with that in mind what's wrong with being laid back and light hearted.
Paul Barrow

Let Ryder Return
I think the BBC should try and get Steve Ryder back again.

His presentation and composure is streets ahead of what Jim Rosenthal could offer.

Martin Brundle is a certainly, drop James Allen, he doesn't know what's going on half the time.

I'd like to see Nigel Mansell back in the studio, along with maybe Johnny Herbert as well.

As for the main commentator, I'd like to see someone like Damon Hill.
David, Isle of Wight

And What About...
I can't believe you totally overlooked the best motorsports commentator there is, and has been for a couple of decades already. I am not talking about Murray Walker, but Simon Taylor!

It was always beyond me that James Allen (who is actually quite useless) continued to keep the F1 job whilst Simon occasionally got to comment on the GP2 coverage.

Simon Taylor and Martin Brundle would be the dream commentary team for me.
Shannon, Bangkok

BBC Should Hold On To Ted
I don't know about others. I'd surely miss Ted Kravitz and his pit lane reports.

Martin Brundle does a really brilliant job when it comes to giving insights from Drivers view point ,especially when he takes those F1 cars for spin , or does those factory/Simulator trips.

He cuts a sorry figure when the drivers shoo him off on the grid, surprising though is while Brundle is shooed away, Peter Windsor, gets access to the drivers with cars on the grid.

I'd really miss both Ted Kravitz and Martin Brundle.

About DC as commentator - Having heard his colourful language sometimes in Thursday conferences and more often in Post races these days, BEEBs will have to introduce BLIPS if DC takes seat behind microphone.
Mahesh Parab, USA

Now Here's A Thought
It's obvious who the BBC are going to put up for their F1 team:

Main commentator: Graham Norton
Expert side-kick: The Stig
Pit Lane: Konnie Huq

I can't believe you described Vicky Butler-Henderson as "a pedigree racer". Her greatest claim to racing glory is being overtaken by David Coulthard in her first kart race at the age of 12! I'd sooner have Stuart Hall get the gig than Squealing Vic.

Pip pip!
Widds

How About Crossing The Pond?
I would suggest that the Beeb should open up its vision; quite frankly the US Speed (Channel) team blows away anything that I have seen in years coming out of the UK, when I'm there. The team comprises of Bob Varsha (Speed continuity announcer), David Hobbs (do I need to supply his background...??), Steve Matchett (ex Benetton race engineer) and Peter Windsor (on track commentator).

They are knowledgeable and funny (Jeremy Clarkson beware...ha,ha) and pronounce 99% of the driver names correctly - which neither ITV or the Beeb can do! While there are three English persons on the team they are not 'whining poms'. Sadly they are tied to the ancient measurement systems used in the US (Fahrenheit/ Miles/ Feet, Etc), but that apart they are generally unbiased and enjoyable.
Alex, Robertson, San Diego, USA (formally from Edinburgh)

As For Alonso Joining/Not Joining Ferrari
Words of wisdom from Luca! An Alonso - Kimi pairing is a recipe for disaster.

By being a rat on his own team McLaren, Alonso dug his own grave. Luca is rightly worried that Alonso might do the same about the secrets in Ferrari's cupboard. Sport is about character not about winning as Alonso learnt to his dismay!
Alan Francis, Harvard University

...I agree with Luca. Alonso is a great driver with incredible talent. But, he is also incredibly cranky.

This was clearly evident in Shanghai 2006 when his own team-mate Fisi had to pass him to hold off Michael to benefit Renault's in the points of the 2006 season. We all know that FA hates internal competition. This was clear with Lewis and now with the choice of Piquet over Kovalainen in the Renault roster.

Coming to Ferrari, I don't think Raikkonen is going play second fiddle that easily which will lead to FA whining about Ferrari sabotaging his chances of WDC. Luca is avoiding possible issues that could arise by choosing two drivers of the same caliber.
Amol Borkar

...Luca is dead right in saying that an Alonso-Kimi double act would mean damaging yourself.

If I were a team principal I'd stay clear of Alonso. Just look at that whiner now. He threatens the only team that gave him a seat this season.

What a complete anti-thesis of Schumi where he went to the then mediocre Ferrari team and led it to its first championship for 21 years and followed it up for 4 more consecutive times!

I tell you that Alonso is no great driver...maybe the greatest whiner F1 ever had. He's always gonna be like that...remember how he accused Renault of sabotaging him during the last season he stayed there prior to his disastrous McLaren stint.

Hmmmmm it's starting to be a pattern... shame shame. He should just shut up and do his talking in the track...oh, well if he doesn't do that F1 might be boring....maybe we need someone like him to spice things up.
Robert Salazar

...Sure, sure it would be damaging, bull.

We never know what lurks behind the scenes, or IF, Luca is throwing a smoke screen, Kimi has given many hints that he doesn't want to spend his life in F1 and that Ferrari would be his last ride, maybe even after this contract he will retire and go on a permanent drinking binge.

Who knows, but I bet that there is no truth behind Ferrari not wanting him.
Ed Garrido, USA

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