Charlie Cox laughs off Formula One link

BBC MotoGP commentator Charlie Cox has laughed off rumours linking him with a surprise switch to the Beeb’s Formula One team in 2011.

According to recent speculation, the BBC will axe current commentator Jonathan Legard for next season and a leading contender to partner respected F1 expert Martin Brundle is Aussie Cox.

A gossip column in the sports pages of the Daily Mail last week said Cox was being seriously considered for the F1 commentary role.

But the former British Touring Car Championship driver has dismissed the possibility of a move to co-commentate on F1 with Brundle.

Cox fronts the BBC MotoGP coverage with former Grand Prix rider Steve Parrish and his commentary, catchphrases and one-liners have seen him fail to win over several bike fans.

The more mainstream BBC coverage has often been derided compared to the popular British Eurosport duo of Julian Ryder and Toby Moody, despite reaching a vastly wider audience.

Cox, who began commentating with legendary Murray Walker in 1997 on the British Touring Car Championship, told MCN: “I’ve got no plans to go to Formula One. I love doing the bikes and have really my enjoyed my time in MotoGP. And who would want to miss next year with Rossi on a Ducati?

“It is a year not to miss and besides that, how could I live without Stavros (Parrish)? We have been together nine years and that is the longest marriage either of us has had!”