Legendary Formula 1 Circuit Announcer Bob Constanduros Reflects on His Career

For over four decades, Bob Constanduros has been the voice that millions of Formula 1 fans have come to know and love. From announcing the iconic “Champaaaaaagne” moment to sharing unforgettable anecdotes from his time in the sport, Constanduros’ passion for racing has entertained and informed spectators for generations.

The Return of Moet Champagne to F1 Rostrums

After four years of Ferrari Trento, a sparkling wine that cannot legally be called champagne, Formula 1’s new landmark LVMH deal has brought Moet’s champagne back to the rostrums. This news is music to Constanduros’ ears, as he explains his inspiration for the iconic “Champaaaaaagne” call came from Spanish football commentators in the 90s.

However, Constanduros notes that not all circuits can use champagne due to cultural and religious reasons. In such cases, he substitutes the word with a more appropriate term like “let’s celebrate.” He also emphasizes the importance of remembering this when working as a circuit announcer.

A Career Born Out of Passion for Racing

Before becoming a circuit announcer, Constanduros worked as a freelancer and completed a stint at Autosport, following F1, F2, and touring car racers around Europe in a van. This passion for racing led him to work as a full-time commentator for Autosport from 1972 to 1977.

Constanduros’ career took off when he was recommended by Alec Deffis Whittaker, Bernie Ecclestone’s man in charge of such matters, during the 1985 season. Since then, he has covered nearly every F1 race, amassing over 700 grands prix and becoming a veritable treasure trove of anecdotes.

Anecdotes from a Legendary Career

Constanduros’ career has been marked by numerous unforgettable moments, both positive and negative. One particularly memorable weekend was Donington 1993, where he nearly bumped into Princess Diana in the control tower and almost called King Hussein of Jordan “Saddam Hussein.

Another standout memory was working closely with Keke Rosberg during his early Formula Vee years. Constanduros struck up a friendship with the Finn and even found himself kidnapped by Rosberg, Danny Sullivan, and Dan Partel one time.

The Importance of Engaging Circuit Commentary

For Constanduros, engaging circuit commentary is essential to ensure that spectators, many of whom may be new to the sport, are able to follow the action and appreciate its excitement. He emphasizes the importance of building information from the bottom up and getting excited to transmit passion to the audience.

Constanduros is now well into his 70s but shows no signs of slowing down. Despite a reduced workload in recent years, he remains passionate about motorsport and looks forward to each new season with anticipation. As he says, “The excitement will never go away, so I’ll keep on going as long as you can.