Who are the best F1 commentators in the world right now?

Formula One is among the most viewed sports globally, with excitable capacity crowds in attendance. Most fans often want to know what is happening; thus, commentary is essential for racing games. That said, some of the best F1 commentators are always behind the microphone describing what is happening on the racing tracks as it unfolds.

The commentators mostly come in pairs, one of them being a broadcaster and the other one being an ex-driver who essentially provides expert analysis. F1 racing would definitely be an incomplete soundtrack without a commentary section.

Top 10 best F1 commentators of all time

In addition to being the best in their careers, some of these commentators have become sought after personalities as far as Formula One is concerned. This is a list detailing some of the top 10 best F1 commentators F1 has ever seen.

10. Jonathan Legard

Jonathan first ventured into F1 in 1997, broadcasting for BBC Radio 5 Live. After eight years, he moved to BBC television during the 2009/10 season due to his passion for football. He was the lead for the BBC’s F1 television coverage in 2010, which led to him gaining a reputation for muddling up facts occasionally.

9. Simon Taylor

After leaving university, Taylor became an editor of Autosport magazine, launching several automotive magazines such as Classic and Sports Car and What Car.

Simon Taylor began his commentating career on races over the radio and later became BBC Radio’s Formula One correspondent. In 1997, alongside Tony Jardine, he moved to television as part of the commentary team. The renowned journalist still comments on smaller motorsport events and the Goodwood Festival of Speed television coverage.

8. Anthony Davidson and Johnny Herbert

The dynamic former F1 drivers have expert insight and knowledge of racing. They have proved to be experts in what they do and, thus, undoubtedly, are the best Sky Sports commentators in 2023. During free practice, Friday sessions, Herbert and Davidson provide analysis and insight to David Croft as co-commentators.

7. Ben Edwards

The current lead F1 BBC personality started his career with the ambition of being a top driver racing against David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen, co-commentator, in the Euro Vauxhall Lotus Championship.

Ben got his first job at the BBC after his driving career ended alongside Tiff Needell. He later started to cover F1 sports news for Eurosport alongside his counterpart John Watson, a former F1 driver. Before becoming BBC’s lead role in 2012, Ben enjoyed covering unique and limited Champ Cars, BTCC, British Formula Three Championship, and A1 Grand Prix for various broadcasters.

6. David Coulthard

The former racing driver retired in 2008 and joined BBC as an expert summarizer. In 2011, he graduated and took a role as a co-commentator, a position that was initially held by Ben Edwards and Martin Brundle, former F1 drivers.

David took the mantle of the famous grid walk after Brundle moved from BBC to Sky Sport, and surprisingly, he has coped with the pressure, and his popularity has gained him several pre-race interviews.

5. James Allen

Allen is widely known as the current F1's voice over the BBC radio airwaves. Before joining BBC, he worked as a pit lane reporter for ITV's F1 coverage and later became a co-commentator.

Besides his commentating job, James is an F1 weekend correspondent with BBC Radio 5 Live and a reporter for Ten Sport in Australia. He is among the most followed F1 commentators on Twitter, with over 168k followers as of March 2023.

4. David Croft

Croft is a Sky Sports F1 commentator, well known for succeeding Maurice Hamilton amid finding his voice on BBC Radio 5 Live in the 2006 season. He has covered several sports, such as the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2002 World Cup.

David took six seasons of passionate commentary to gain the lead role for Sky Sports coverage. The renowned lead commentator is a social media personality who has garnered over 468k on Twitte r.

3. James Hunt

Hunt is considered one of the greatest F1 commentators ever for being part of the double commentary act in the 1976 championship season. After retiring in 1979, Hunt was approached by the BBC to work alongside Murray Walker.

The duo made legendary memories while sharing a single microphone by which, on one occasion, Hunt cracked the microphone cord to get it out of Murray's hand. He will go down in history for his no-nonsense and blunt approach to commentary.

2. Martin Brundle

Martin was a brilliant former F1 driver who achieved more significant levels of excellence in his subsequent commentating career. After retiring as a motor racing driver, he joined ITV Sport in 1997, working alongside Murray Walker and James Allen.

Due to his keenness and need to correct Walker on his mistakes while interjecting, he became well-known in the F1 arena. Martin later moved from ITV Sports to BBC and became a lead from 2009 to 2011.

Martin is one of the Sky Sports F1 commentators as of 2023 and has received several awards, including the RTS Television Sports Award for being the best Sports Pundit in 1998, 1999, 2005, and 2006.

1. Murray Walker

Murray was the greatest F1 commentator of all time. He began his career covering motocross, rallycross, and the Isle of Man TT before moving to F1 in the late 1970s. The legend became famous and reached a breakthrough in his career when he formed a notable double with James Hunt in the 1980s and 1990s.

Their contrast was a critical feature that made the duo more entertaining. Murray's facts and names were mainly gotten in a muddle, gaining him a cult status with observers and F1 fans.

Who is the new girl on F1 commentary?

Naomi Schiff has joined the Sky Sports' F1 presenting team for the new season. She will be working with colleagues such as Karun Chandhok, Jenson Button, and Ted Kravitz during the 2023 F1 season.

Who is the main F1 commentator?

David Croft is the current lead for the Sky Sports F1 coverage. The renowned legend has held the position since 2012 and has been nothing but extraordinary in his work.

How to become a sports announcer: A detailed guide on how to become a sports commentator

Other Sports

Some of the best F1 commentators have, in one way or another, impacted the viewership experience at a global level. This is evident by how fans are intrigued whenever they hear their favourite broadcaster coming to preside over a given match or race. Sky Sports is the home of F1 racing competitions, and in 2022 they announced a hosting deal that will expire in 2029.

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