Popular motorsport broadcaster Ben Edwards has confirmed that he will step in to replace the departing Martin Brundle as the BBC’s lead Formula 1 commentator next year.
Edwards will join forces with David Coulthard in the commentary box for 10 live grands prix in 2012, as well peak-time highlights of every non-live race.
He announced on Twitter: “So, it looks as though it’s really happening. I will be the BBC F1 commentator in 2012 and I can’t wait!”
With over 20 years of broadcasting experience, Edwards is highly respected amongst the motor racing fraternity for his informative and enthusiatic brand of commentary.
Having covered almost every major international motor racing series during his career, including Formula 1, Champ Cars, World Rally and A1 GP, as well as a number of domestic championships, many within the sport felt his appointment as the leading UK voice of F1 has been long overdue.
After starting out in motorsport as a club racer and driving instructor, Edwards raced against his new BBC commentary partner David Coulthard, as well as former world champion Mika Hakkinen and sports car driver Allan McNish.
He turned to broadcasting after finishing his racing career in the mid-eighties, and quickly established himself as one of the most popular and informative commentators in the business.
Over the past ten years he has been the voice of ITV’s coverage of the British Touring Car Championship, a role which he will stand down from next year.
He thanked the broadcaster for not standing in the way of his return to F1: “It took a while for things to be sorted, and thanks to ITV for being so understanding. Really looking forward to working with the crew,” he tweeted.
Edwards told BBC Sport: “I’m thrilled to be joining the BBC F1 team. It’s a dream come true to be broadcasting from grands prix all over the world with such a prestigious broadcaster and such a talented group of people.
“My first stint as commentator coincided with David Coulthard’s first season in F1 as a driver, so I am relishing the opportunity to work with him now in conveying the drama, excitement and passion that is wrapped up in each and every event.
“The prospects for the 2012 season are tremendous, with Lewis Hamilton out for revenge, Ferrari determined to give Fernando Alonso a car worthy of him and Sebastian Vettel attempting to become only the third driver in history to score a hat-trick of titles.”
Edwards returns to Formula 1 commentary, having risen to public prominance as the voice of Eurosport’s coverage from 1995-96.
He formed a successful on-air partnership with former grand prix driver John Watson, and the pair reunited to cover the sport for Sky’s short-lived F1 Digital+ channel in 2002.
They linked up again to cover the ill-fated A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport series between 2005 and 2009, with their commentary feed being used by Sky Sports.
His popularity among diehard motorsport fans led to calls for him to be installed as Martin Brundle’s new BBC commentary partner in 2009, but he reportedly turned down the role due as he didn’t want to relinquish his commitments to other racing series he wanted to cover.
Edwards was also a leading contender for the unenviable task of fillling the legendary shoes of Murray Walker when the veteran retired from ITV’s Formula 1 coverage in 2001.
His impressive broadcasting CV also includes covering speedway, powerboats, ‘F1 in Cinema’, Superleague Formula, and FIA GT1 World Championship, as well as lending his voice to numerous official Formula 1 season review DVDs.
With his strong motorsport background, he is widely respected by fans as one of the rare breed who can communicate with both the casual viewer and enthusiast without being patronising.
A number of his peers and colleagues congratulated Edwards on his new BBC role via Twitter:
Jake Humphrey (BBC F1 presenter): “Delighted to welcome Ben Edwards into the #bbcf1 commentary box with DC for 2012. Big fan, great commentator!! Get following @bennythebulb”
Lee McKenzie (BBC F1 reporter): “Delighted to be reunited with Ben Edwards next season as he joins the BBC and steps into the commentary booth.”
Peter Windsor (Journalist/Broadcaster): “@bennythebulb is a superb anchorman/race commentator. Congrats to the BBC on their choice. I loved working with Ben at SkyDigitalPlus”
Edd Straw (F1 Editor, Autosport): “Ben Edwards – @bennythebulb – commentated on F1 for Eurosport in the past and did a superb job. Massive enthusiasm, knowledge and ability”
Ben Costanduros (Commentator): “Fantastic news, the best Motorsport commentator is off to BBC F1. So Croft and Brundle vs Edwards and DC for 2012, that is a tough fight! Love healthy competition”
Jennie Gow (Broadcaster): “Well done Ben. Great news and best of luck for next year. Prepare for your followers to increase by a few thousand!”
Sky’s new recruit Martin Brundle also passed on words of encouragement to his successor. He tweeted: “I’m pleased Ben Edwards has got my old BBC F1 job. He will work well with DC. Nice guy too, see you at the GPs Ben.”
Brundle, who stepped up to the lead commentary position at the beginning of the 2011 season, recently confirmed that he would switch to Sky Sports F1 coverage, citing the fact that the pay-TV broadcaster will screen every race live and uninterrupted as one of the key factors in making the switch.
Four other key BBC personel, including pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz, followed Brundle in defecting across to the new Sky operation, which left the BBC with the task of searching for experienced broadcasters to replace them, just months before the start of the new season.
They confirmed that former Jordan technical director Gary Anderson will replace Kravitz as the corporation’s technical analyst, and Jennie Gow will become 5 Live’s new pit-lane reporter.
Anchor Jake Humphrey, pundits Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard, and pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie remain with the BBC TV team, and will present free-to-air coverage of 10 live races next year, including the British and Monaco Grands Prix.
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