56: When the World Champion got kidnapped and other F1 tales

This week we meet one of the small group of broadcasters who can call themselves an F1 TV commentator.

Alex Jacques is the voice of Channel 4’s F1 coverage in the UK and his commentary is carried on F1 TV in the US and around the world. He works alongside former F1 drivers David Coulthard and Jolyon Palmer. 

Alex worked his way up through F2 and the W Series and by 2018 he was a full time F1 commentator.  He was voted Commentator of the Year in the 2022 Broadcast Sports Awards and his voice has appeared in Drive to Survive and F1 video games.

Alex’s new book Grid to Glory, highlights 75 key moments from F1’s 75 year history.  But it’s not one anecdote per year, it’s much more interesting than that. He describes the kidnapping of the F1 World Champion driver, the day the F1 drivers went on strike, the Grand Prix that featured just six cars and many other great tales. 

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