Edwards confirmed as Brundle replacement

After much speculation, Ben Edwards has confirmed that he will be the replacement for Martin Brundle on the BBC's F1 commentary team.

Craig Llewellyn_1

13 Dec 2011

Ben Edwards has put an end to the speculation surrounding his candidature as replacement for departing BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle by confirming that he will line up alongside David Coulthard from 2012.

The experienced play-caller will resume his F1 commentary caeer after several years away from a 'live' role, having previously covered the sport for both Eurosport and the short-lived official F1 channel which, somewhat ironically, aired on Sky. Despite channelling his enthusiastic brand of commentary through other series, however, he has remained involved with the top flight by doing the voice-overs for several end-of-season review films.

"So, it looks as though it's really happening," Edwards revealed via his Twitter account, "I will be the BBC F1 commentator in 2012 and I can't wait!"

The former club racer has most recently been the voice of ITV's BTCC coverage, and thanked the broadcaster for not standing in the way of his F1 return.

"It took a while for things to be sorted, and thanks to ITV for being so understanding," he continued, "Really looking forward to working with the crew."

Edwards role had been vacated by Martin Brundle who, after just one year as lead commentator for the BBC, led an exodus of talent to Sky Sports, following the satellite broadcaster's acquisition of season-long coverage from 2012. The BBC will cover only ten races live after being forced to cut back on its expenditure, but will retain both Coulthard and pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie, as well as anchorman Jake Humphrey.

While the BBC team naturally welcomed Edwards to the fold, Brundle also tweeted a message of congratulations.

"I'm pleased Ben Edwards has got my old BBCF1 job," he wrote, "He will work well with DC. Nice guy too - see you at the GPs Ben."

According to the UK's Daily Telegraph, Edwards' appointment won't be confirmed until the New Year, as the BBC also wants to announce the replacement for pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz, who joined Brundle and BBC radio commentators David Croft, Anthony Davidson and Natalie Pinkham in making the switch to Sky Sports [see separate story].