11/01/2011
NEWS STORY
Commentator Jonathan Legard has confirmed that he is no longer part of the BBC's F1 team.
For some time it has been rumoured that he was to be dropped. However, while never really popular with the fans - certainly according to the message boards and forums - it was his relationship (or lack of it) with Martin Brundle that was to be his downfall, the F1 driver turned pundit claiming that the pair lacked chemistry.
Today, Legard has confirmed that his is no longer part of the BBC's team, though he puts a brave face on the situation.
"Life moves on," he Twittered. "Ask Nick Heidfeld or @narainracing," he added, referring to Narain Karthikeyan's return to the F1 grid after a break of five years. "You never know what's next. To the critical and the complimentary, thanks for the company."
A short while after, he added: "Investigating various options, home and abroad, in F1 and outside. Interesting times..."
It is widely expected that David Coulthard will join Brundle in the commentary box this season. However, other than the fact that this will leave the BBC without a proper trained journalist in the box, rather two former drivers, there is concern at Coulthard's links to Red Bull.
Many already see the BBC's broadcasts as one long plug for the Austrian energy drink and its team, and it is feared that Coulthard's newfound prominence will only make things worse. Indeed, it is understood that one leading Sunday newspaper is investigating the deal, concerned that the BBC is hiring a person already in the employ of an entrant/sponsor.