Fans around the world have heard Alex Jacques deliver some of the most iconic commentary lines in recent Formula 1 history.
In an exclusive chat with F1 Oversteer, Alex Jacques was talking about which current drivers he thinks have the potential to grab the microphone once they retire.
Over the past few years, fans have had more access to drivers’ radio messages to their teams during races.
Charles Leclerc has sounded increasingly frustrated with Ferrari over the team radio, and Lewis Hamilton has regularly echoed his thoughts.
Liam Lawson’s final Red Bull radio message perfectly encapsulated why Christian Horner felt the need to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races this season.
Position Constructors’ Standings PointsPts 1 559 2 260 3 236 4 194 5 70 6 52 7 51 8 45 9 35 10 20
However, some drivers are more articulate in their communications with their teams.
Jacques has pinpointed three drivers who might have a future in the commentary box one day.
In particular, he thinks Mercedes star George Russell already sounds like a commentator with some of his radio messages.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height
Photo by Formula 1 Esport/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Asked by F1 Oversteer which drivers potentially have a future in F1 punditry, Jacques said: “Well, I think George Russell basically is already a commentator, isn’t he, from most of his team radio messages that we get!
“It feels like he joins us in the box with his analysis sometimes. He’s got a brilliant way of describing things, hasn’t he? He seems natural for that role.
“And I also think viewers in Spain can look forward to Carlos Sainz in the future because I think he’s just got such a great way of explaining things.
“We were lucky enough to have him on the broadcast in testing, and he’s got so much capacity behind the wheel, seriously intelligent guy. So I think he also, if he fancies extending his time in the Formula 1 paddock, would be a brilliant co-commentator.
Position Drivers’ Championship PointsPts 1 284 2 275 3 187 4 172 5 151 6 109 7 64 8 54 9 37 10 27
“I think George and Alex, alongside each other, Alex Albon, George Russell, two good friends bickering, could be very entertaining for viewers in the future.
“But I think Russell is best placed to be a co-commentator when he’s done with what’s going to be, let’s be honest, it’s still a fairly long racing career.”
READ MORE: Alex Jacques pinpoints the moment Daniel Ricciardo knew his Formula 1 dream was over at Racing Bulls
Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHow George Russell’s unheard radio messages helped him win the Canadian Grand Prix
Russell has had a fantastic season so far, and will have his eyes on finishing behind the two McLaren drivers as the best of the rest in the drivers’ championship.
He currently sits 15 points behind Max Verstappen, and the pair went head-to-head at the Canadian Grand Prix at the only race this season when both McLaren drivers haven’t been in contention for victory.
Verstappen was following Russell under the safety car at the end of the race following Lando Norris’ crash, and Red Bull accused the British driver of braking too hard and endangering their driver.
RANKDRIVERTEAMPOINTS1George RussellMercedes252Max VerstappenRed Bull183Kimi AntonelliMercedes154Oscar PiastriMcLaren125Charles LeclercFerrari106Lewis HamiltonFerrari87Fernando AlonsoAston Martin68Nico HulkenbergSauber49Esteban OconHaas210Carlos SainzWilliams12025 Canadian Grand Prix results
A protest was lodged after the race, but Russell’s unheard radio call potentially explains why Red Bull’s appeal was never going to work.
Jacques’ idea of Russell and Alex Albon in the commentary box together sounds fantastic.
Although both drivers have plenty of years ahead of them on the grid, they could end up continuing to entertain fans even after they hang up their racing gloves.