BBC Sport has appointed Alice Powell and Abbi Pulling as its first all-female Formula 1 commentator and co-commentator lineup for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix this weekend.
The historic broadcasting shift on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds follows a series of broadcasting adjustments across major networks.
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The commentary change was triggered by regular Sky Sports commentator David Croft choosing to skip the Barcelona race weekend to attend the Download music festival in the United Kingdom.
His absence prompted BBC regular lead commentator Harry Benjamin to move over to Sky F1 as Croft's trusted stand-in for the weekend.
To fill the vacancy, the BBC elevated 33-year-old Powell to lead the radio broadcast alongside Pulling, who reprises her role as co-commentator and analyst.
The pair share a close professional bond outside the commentary booth, as Powell currently serves as Pulling's manager.
Powell has raced across multiple categories in a 20-year career, including stints as a W Series driver and racing developer.
She expressed great enthusiasm about fulfilling a childhood dream that began while playing in her garden as a six-year-old.
"I'm really excited to lead my first F1 commentary, alongside Abbi.
As well as dreaming of becoming a racing driver when I was a kid, I also wanted to become a commentator.
Who would have thought that six-year-old Alice, who would pretend to be Murray Walker commentating on my own little race on my bike in the garden, would be having the chance to lead a BBC commentary many years later?
