Tom Clarkson, the long-time Formula 1 broadcaster, will miss his first race in almost 30 years at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Known primarily for hosting the FIA press conferences throughout race weekends—asking drivers questions in pre-event, post-qualifying, and post-race sessions, as well as leading team representative briefings—Clarkson is also the voice behind the widely acclaimed Beyond the Grid F1 podcast.
Clarkson’s absence from the Malaysia race marks the first time since 1998 that he won’t be present at a Grand Prix. This break comes as he embarks on a tour across Australia and New Zealand alongside 1996 World Champion Damon Hill. Their event, “An Evening with Damon Hill – In Conversation with Tom Clarkson,” will visit several cities, including Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne, following a recent UK tour. The new tour dates, set for September 28 to October 5, overlap directly with the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend on October 6.
Originally, Clarkson’s tour dates did not conflict with any race weekends, but schedule changes caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix—due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East—have led to the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia as part of a triple-header with races in Azerbaijan and Singapore. This reshuffling means Clarkson cannot attend the Malaysian race, ending his nearly three-decade streak.
Reflecting on the tour, Clarkson told Speedcafe that the 30th anniversary of Damon Hill’s 1996 world championship was an ideal occasion to celebrate with Hill. Their UK tour in January covered nine cities from Scotland to the south of England and was so successful that the organizers invited them to take the show abroad. Despite the clash with the race, Clarkson emphasized their commitment to the tour, saying nothing would change their plans.
During the recent Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, Clarkson was already absent from the FIA press conference involving team representatives, with former Sky Sports presenter Rachel Brookes stepping in. It is likely Brookes will also cover for Clarkson at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
Fan Take: Tom Clarkson missing a Grand Prix for the first time in 28 years is a significant moment in F1 broadcasting history, highlighting the immense dedication behind the scenes of race weekends. For racing fans, this pause in Clarkson’s streak opens the door to fresh voices in media roles and underscores how external events like global conflicts and scheduling shifts continue to impact the sport’s fabric.
Source: www.crash.net
