New faces for Formula 1

The BBC has confirmed some new additions to the Formula 1 family.

The new faces will be joining an already expert team, who provide unrivalled knowledge and coverage of the exciting sport.

First up is Ben Edwards, who will be taking his seat in the commentary box. He is well known to motorsport fans, and a very experienced commentator. A former driver and mechanic, he has a wealth of knowledge of the sport, as well as experience in commentating on it for Eurosport, F1 Digital, and Sky Sports A1 Grand Prix.  

Meanwhile James Allen will be lead commentator for Radio 5 Live. He has been writer, editor and broadcaster in motorsport for over 20 years. His previous roles have included pit lane reporter and commentator for ESPN and ITV. James was lead commentator for ITV for seven years, during which time the team won three BAFTA awards and the RTS Sports Programme of the Year award. He also won an Autosport Award for coverage of the final laps of the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008.

There will also be an expert insight from the pit lane, provided by Gary Anderson, who is taking the role of technical analyst and will keep viewers and fans up to date with all of the latest developments in strategy and technology, straight from the team garages.

He's the man for the job, as a former technical director of Jordan, Stewart and Jaguar Formula 1 teams. He has over 30 years experience in motorsport engineering, and vast technical knowledge. Starting with Brabham F1 team, he then progressed to chief mechanic, before making his move to McLaren. Gary designed cars across the field of motorsport, before he became technical director at Jordan - just in time for their F1 debut in 1991. After seven years with them, a short spell at Stewart (which later became Jaguar), and a return to Jordan, he got into broadcasting and journalism.

Also joining the team is Jennie Gow, who has been announced as pit lane reporter for Radio 5 Live. Jennie has experience in motorsports broadcasting, in both television and radio. She was pit lane reporter for Radio 5 live in 2011, presenting coverage of both the Canadian and Hungarian Grand Prix and also presented Silverstone TV at 2011 British Grand Prix. Her past presenting roles have included BBC's 2010 MotoGP coverage, four years at Jersey Rally, ThunderSport GB bike series, Motocross and Speedway.

But don't worry, the boys are back too - Jake Humphrey is to return to his usual role of leading the main television coverage, alongside David Coulthard, who will continue to combine his roles as pundit and commentator. And providing the comedy value once again, will be Eddie Jordan's collection of shirts (and the man himself, of course).

Lee McKenzie will be live from the pit lane, offering exclusive insights and interviews.

The 2012 Formula 1 racing calendar returns with the Australian Grand Prix, from Melbourne, 16-18 March.

Georgia Smith