Alex Jacques
Alex Jacques | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28th March, 1989 (age 32) Suffolk, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Sports Commentator |
| Years active | 2015-2024 |
| Known for | Sports commentator |
| Website | https://alexjacques.co.uk/ |
Alex Jacques is a sports commentator and broadcaster who most recently commentated the FIA Formula 1 and Formula 2 championships in 2024. Jacques is the lead commentator on F1TV and Channel 4. For his commentating, he won the 2022 Broadcast Sports for Commentator of the Year award.[1] In 2024, Jacques stepped down as lead commentator for Formula 2.[2] Jacques' voice has been used in the video game F1 24 and the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive.[3]
Career
[edit]Prior to commentating, Jacques studied Politics in University and worked on his university's newspaper and radio station, as well as his local hospital's radio. His first break was with BBC covering local football. Eventually, he started taking on bigger games with teams like Manchester United or Liverpool in the Premier League in Norwich City, and covered other sports such as Cricket and eventually, GP3. Additionally, he also worked a day job as a news reporter for the Times.[4]
In 2015, Jacques got the opportunity to commentate in GP2 races after Will Buxton announced a surprise departure. In what Jacques describes as an 'extreme slice of luck', he was hired to join the commentary box alongside Jolyon Palmer and Davide Valsecchi. His commentary in the first few races he participated in was met with criticism, but eventually he was able to improve and fans warmed up to him. When GP2 rebranded to Formula 2, he continued commentating on it.[5]
During this time, he also offered commentary in Formula Three (the rebranded GP3 championship) and Esports, and also worked on the BBC Radio 5 Live. In 2018, Jacques started commentating on F1 races for F1TV.[6] In 2021, he took over Channel 4's chief commentating duties, replacing the retiring Ben Edwards.[7]
In 2024, Jacques announced that he would be retiring from F2 commentary after 10 years. [2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Winners". Broadcast Sports Awards. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b Singh, Veerendra Vikram (2024-12-06). ""This Will Be My Final Year": Alex Jacques Announces Retirement From F2 Commentary After 10 Years". The SportsRush. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Nelson, David (2024-05-30). "Alex Jacques on the joy of F1 commentary and the 'unwinnable' battle it presents". Motorsport Broadcasting. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Alex Jacques: The voice behind Formula 2". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Formula One Management". Motorsport Broadcasting. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Admin (2021-03-29). "Former RWSfm presenter Alex Jacques takes over as lead commentator for Channel 4's F1 coverage". RWSfm 103.3. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Who are the 2024 F1 commentators? Sky Sports and Channel 4 teams". www.autosport.com. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-12-11.