Richard Hammond is new face of Formula 1

[LurkerPatrol]

Maybe that means the return of Top Gear in HD?

If that's so, then the boredom we may have felt with things like that review of cabrios in Iceland would be replaced by drool for the vivid pictures of the scenery in HD . That would be great!

As for the F1 topic: I don't think it's a good idea either, although I'm not trying to berate the hamster's speaking skills. With all those after-dinner speeches, his original work as a radio DJ, etc, I have no doubt about his ability to comment. He just needs to know what to say and not look completely naive. That would be too difficult, imo probably requiring endless nights watching former F1 races and commentary to get up to speed with things.

[jpmfan]

i think the Top Gear guys hosting F1 would be a terrible idea, as it's been said before Hamster doesnt even like F1, and although Jezza follows it i dont think he'd be good at hosting or commentating. Im just hoping that they carry over the ITV team, maybe drop James Allen along the way, but as long as they keep Martin in the commentary box, and Steve Rider hosting then i'll be happy

[Richmondgal]

I can't see hammond doing it. He has a young family and the F1 + top gear + writing = a LOT of hours and time away from home.

Yeah that's what i was thinking. He lives too far from London and surely, he's already got enough on his plate with TG alone.
Personally, not the greatest idea by BBC to let the TG in the Commentary Box. In the pits and around the grounds yes, but commentating no way.

By the way, did they even consider the fact that he doesn't know much about F1 let alone like it?

[Blayde]

I agree to an extent but not completely - he was rubbish on Sport Relief, too constrained - but he was brilliant on Brainiac and his 'Should I worry about...' series was impressive too.

Bloody Omaha was nicely done too

[toyota]

For a safe bet, by comparison, stick a tenner on Jenson Button fronting the BBC's F1 coverage next year. At 80/1 it's a shoe-in - sure, you'll have to wait until next year to pick up your cash, but Jenson does love the camera.

from the top gear blog

I....was looking forward to watching ickle hamster

[Gibby]

Hammond will not being doing the F1, not offical, but Richard Porter (Who works on Top Gear) says it is not true in the GarethJones on Speed Podcast.

GarethJones on Speed Podcast: CLICK ME

Gib

[Ziggy Shadow-Dust]

I want Charlie Cox and John Watson back in the commentry seat. They did a good job on the BTCC from 1998-2001 after Murrey left.

[James May's Hair]

Nooooo! Not John Watson, he's such a bore and his voice sends me to sleep. I quite like Ben Edwards who does the BTCC commentary. I must admit, I don't really have a problem with James Allen and Martin Brundle.

At least the BBC wouldn't do anything as sadistic as bring back Jonathan Palmer: two seconds into a race until the chequered flag, all he would talk about was fuel levels and tyres.

[matt2000]

Hammond will not being doing the F1, not offical, but Richard Porter (Who works on Top Gear) says it is not true in the GarethJones on Speed Podcast.

GarethJones on Speed Podcast: CLICK ME

Gib

Ah, another listener!

Was going to say this but you beat me to it. I'm disappointed they didn't mention Murray Walker on the podcast though.

[Gibby]

Ah, another listener!

Was going to say this but you beat me to it. I'm disappointed they didn't mention Murray Walker on the podcast though.

Yes, I noticed that.

Lets just pray that Murray wants to do it and is asked to do it.

Gib

[Scooby5]

Let's be fair, Murray was as much of a muppet behind the mic as James Allan, he just had a better way of screwing it up...... "The beak of the Ayrton Senna chicken is poking through" um, no thanks.

Murray could hardly follow what was happening on the track and that was 10-yrs ago, heaven help us what he would be like now but i'd be pleased to hear him do some cameos.

[matt2000]

Yeah that is true, and I should imagine he's completely senile by now and will need to get up and go to the toilet every 4 minutes, but he's funny and he's really entertaining as a commentator. He reminds me of Holly from Red Dwarf (Yes, I've been watching a lot of RD lately), completely mad, but very funny.

I'll go and prod Viper or Swek or someone to change the title and the first post.

edit: Quote from Richard Porter:

"It's absolute nonsense."

"He doesn't really like F1 that much, he's a biker at heart, he can watch bike racing but he doesn't like motor racing. If he did it would be a silly move."

"We're busy making TopGear, we're busy doing that. We can't go gallivanting around the world."

[AJ888]

Maybe that means the return of Top Gear in HD?

I noticed something promising tonight with regards to Top Gear going HD. While flicking through, I noticed BBC HD was showing Gardeners' World in HD. Now before you think what the hell's that got to do with Top Gear, I'll explain. GW is not a new 'groundbreaking' nature documentary series, a live sports telecast or a lavish drama but a standard magazine programme which has run on BBC2 for decades. It's a sign that more regular programming is making it's way to HD. So Top Gear Series 12 in HD? Maybe...

[Momo63]

Richard himself has denied it now (well, sort of) in his Mirror column
Well, it seems I've had a busy couple of weeks if you believe what you read in some places.

Apparently I'm to be the new face of Formula One on TV and the new Radio 2 breakfast show host. I know, it's news to me too. Perhaps I should start calling myself Murray Wogan
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/columnists/hammond/

[F1_Fan]

I can't see hammond doing it. He has a young family and the F1 + top gear + writing = a LOT of hours and time away from home.

You're assuming the presentation will be done from the races. They could do it like SpeedTV does... one or two reporters at the track and the three studio announcers (Varsha, Hobbs and Matchett) are sitting in North Carolina watching the world feed and f1.com timing just like the rest of us.

[j8mie]

It's interesting to read some of the replies in this thread.

I remember when Murray was very good behind the mic, but for me he went past his best several years before he retired. However I do think there could be a roll of him in the new BBC coverage. Murray has been in the business for years and has endless contacts throughout the motor racing World. I'd give him an interview section where he doesn't need to react to live action, but can plan interviews and take his time. It's been said by many drivers that they wouldn't speak to anyone before, during or after a bad race unless Murray asked simply because of the respect he had in the paddock.

Now I know he's been out of the picture for a while, but I think the BBC should bring him back.

I don't know why the BBC don't just take the ITV team with them (except James and Ted)

Brundle also gets my vote as he doesn't put his foot in his mouth. He just sits there and chips in once he's had time to digest all the facts. His pre race circuit walks and onboard laps are always worth a watch imo. Great co-commentator.

Steve Ryder, Louise Goodman and Mark Blundle are also very good. Ryder seems to be able to switch between sports seamlessly and always comes across as very knowledgeable. Louise again knows her stuff and seems to get a lot of interviews that other journalists don't. Blundle as well for me is better in a co-commentator role like Brundle, and is good at analysing the sport.

As for the top job, I have no idea who the BBC should use, just so long as it's not James "Stop the Cock" Allen.

One final thing. No to top Gear getting involed. Let's keep the two shows seperate please.

[GT VIRUS]

Anyone who went to the clipsal 500 this year might know that he is still the same old murray. I like his passion for it all, and just loves doing it more than anything. But he also spend most of the race reliving his old sayings that he is populorised for. He also forgot where coultard had is pit lane accident loll

[epp_b]

Ehmm....it would be entertaining in it's own way, but I wouldn't be able to take them seriously.

[Zorlac]

I wonder if this would ever make it to BBC America? Probably not, given Speed has the rights (as does FOX, since FOX owns Speed).

Aside from the commercials which are ALWAYS THE FRIGGIN SAME, the commentary crew is wonderful. Steve Matchett, David Hobbs and Bob Varsha are a great team. Peter Windsor is a tool, his constant fawning over Hamilton is gives me douchechills. His gridwalk is fun to watch, because he usually makes an ass out of himself. On Monaco he walked up to Flavio and said something like "Man, you're surrounded by beautiful women!". Flavio replied "You think?" in a confused state wondering wtf he was talking about. Speaking of Flavio, its a shame Renault are such crap this year. When they were on top Flavio was always getting interviewed during the gridwalk and was always a riot to listen to.

[HammondInMyHeart4Eva]

i hope Richard is presenting it, even though he appears to have no interest in the subject. It will be nice to have him on f1. Just 1 thing, what if sum1 crashes like he did? what would he say then?
I 4EVA ! ! !