James Allen (journalist): Difference between revisions
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With [[Murray Walker]] unable to commentate at the 2000 [[French Grand Prix]], Allen took over as one of the main commentators alongside [[Martin Brundle]]. Murray wound down his career the next year, missing five races, all of which James covered. ITV had considered trying a number of guest commentators to garner who would be best suited to replace Murray, but instead opted to keep Allen on board full-time. He took over permanently after the [[2001 United States Grand Prix]] and has since commentated on every Grand Prix. Allen has had two books published - co-writing Mansell's autobiography; and ''Quest for Redemption'' (also published as ''Driven to Extremes''), following [[Michael Schumacher]] during the 1998 season. |
With [[Murray Walker]] unable to commentate at the 2000 [[French Grand Prix]], Allen took over as one of the main commentators alongside [[Martin Brundle]]. Murray wound down his career the next year, missing five races, all of which James covered. ITV had considered trying a number of guest commentators to garner who would be best suited to replace Murray, but instead opted to keep Allen on board full-time. He took over permanently after the [[2001 United States Grand Prix]] and has since commentated on every Grand Prix. Allen has had two books published - co-writing Mansell's autobiography; and ''Quest for Redemption'' (also published as ''Driven to Extremes''), following [[Michael Schumacher]] during the 1998 season. |
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Several expressions now familiar to racing fans have been coined by Allen. |
Several expressions now familiar to racing fans have been coined by Allen. |
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'Doing some lappery'; |
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'pulling up trees' - driving so quickly as to rewrite the form book (thus requiring trees to be torn down to make paper; |
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'it's all gone Pete Tong' - it's all gone wrong; |
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'he's on the bubble' / 'he's on the cusp' - in danger of dropping out of qualifying; |
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'race face'. |
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All the above stand out as examples of his unique vernacular. However, Allen's form of commentary has been the subject of derision among many factions of F1's fanbase, particularly for his blatant pro-Schumacher stance and not least his tendency to use words with out any regard for their actual meaning, leading to [[Sniff Petrol]]'s [http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue060.html "stop the cock"] campaign. His frequent annoying phrases are referred to as "Cockisms". |
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Allen is married and lives in London. He has one son, Enzo, named after [[Ferrari]] founder, [[Enzo Ferrari]] - he joked in commentary that neither 'Ron' (for [[Ron Dennis]]) nor 'Bernie' ([[Bernie Ecclestone]]) went with his last name, which is why he chose Enzo. |
Allen is married and lives in London. He has one son, Enzo, named after [[Ferrari]] founder, [[Enzo Ferrari]] - he joked in commentary that neither 'Ron' (for [[Ron Dennis]]) nor 'Bernie' ([[Bernie Ecclestone]]) went with his last name, which is why he chose Enzo. |
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Revision as of 14:50, 12 August 2006
James Allen (born 11 May 1966) is a British Formula One commentator for ITV. Formerly a pupil at Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby, and student of English and Modern Languages at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Allen's career in Formula One began as press officer of the Brabham racing team in 1990. Following the team's closure in 1992, Allen became news editor at Autosport magazine. The following year, Allen was recruited by ESPN to act as their pit lane reporter.
Overview
With Nigel Mansell's move to IndyCar in 1993, Allen was brought in by ITV to help present coverage of the season. When ITV gained the rights to broadcast the Formula One championship in 1997, he joined the team as pit lane reporter.
With Murray Walker unable to commentate at the 2000 French Grand Prix, Allen took over as one of the main commentators alongside Martin Brundle. Murray wound down his career the next year, missing five races, all of which James covered. ITV had considered trying a number of guest commentators to garner who would be best suited to replace Murray, but instead opted to keep Allen on board full-time. He took over permanently after the 2001 United States Grand Prix and has since commentated on every Grand Prix. Allen has had two books published - co-writing Mansell's autobiography; and Quest for Redemption (also published as Driven to Extremes), following Michael Schumacher during the 1998 season.
Several expressions now familiar to racing fans have been coined by Allen.
'Doing some lappery'; 'pulling up trees' - driving so quickly as to rewrite the form book (thus requiring trees to be torn down to make paper; 'it's all gone Pete Tong' - it's all gone wrong; 'he's on the bubble' / 'he's on the cusp' - in danger of dropping out of qualifying; 'race face'.
All the above stand out as examples of his unique vernacular. However, Allen's form of commentary has been the subject of derision among many factions of F1's fanbase, particularly for his blatant pro-Schumacher stance and not least his tendency to use words with out any regard for their actual meaning, leading to Sniff Petrol's "stop the cock" campaign. His frequent annoying phrases are referred to as "Cockisms".
Allen is married and lives in London. He has one son, Enzo, named after Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari - he joked in commentary that neither 'Ron' (for Ron Dennis) nor 'Bernie' (Bernie Ecclestone) went with his last name, which is why he chose Enzo.
Career
- 1990-1991 Brabham Formula 1 team Press Officer
- 1992 News Editor of Autosport Magazine
- 1992-1996 Formula 1 and IndyCar commentator for ESPN (USA)
- 1993 News Editor Autosport Magazine
- 1994 Presented ITV’s Nigel Mansell’s IndyCar ‘94
- 1994 Co-wrote Nigel Mansell’s autobiography, the best selling motorsport hardback (+ 140,000 copies) spending 25 weeks on Sunday Times bestsellers list
- 1996 Writer and researcher on official Damon Hill film “My Fight For Victory” a best selling Warner Bros video
- 1997-2000 ITV Formula 1 pit lane reporter
- 1997-2004? Presenter of “Pulling Power” Carlton/Central TV weekly motor programme
- 1999 Transworld published James’s second book “Michael Schumacher, Driven To Extremes” which has sold over 30,000
- 2000 Deputised for Murray Walker at French Grand Prix
- 2001-Present Principal commentator for ITV’s Formula 1 coverage alongside ex-driver Martin Brundle.