ALICE POWELL, ABBIE EATON & ABBI PULLING Join BBC F1 Radio Commentary Team

March 5, 2026

• Three women racers – ALICE POWELL, ABBIE EATON, and ABBI PULLING – have landed spots on BBC Radio’s rotating F1 commentary team for 2026, joining hosts JENNIE GOW and ROSANNA TENNANT. This marks a significant shift toward including active female racing voices in mainstream F1 broadcast coverage, bringing real track experience to the airwaves.
• The BBC secured exclusive three-year audio rights for UK F1 coverage, positioning these women alongside established names like 1996 world champion Damon Hill and Formula E’s Sam Bird. Having actual racers who understand the sport from behind the wheel – rather than just traditional commentators – should give listeners genuine insights into what drivers are experiencing during those crucial moments.
• With F1’s major rule changes creating an unpredictable 2026 season, having commentators who’ve actually felt the G-forces and navigation challenges could provide the kind of informed analysis fans deserve. The coverage launches with the Australian Grand Prix, available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, giving these women a platform to showcase their expertise to a national audience.

bbc radio, commentary, formula 1, motorsports broadcasting