Jean-Louis Moncet now feels “totally free”
On his blog, the journalist from Auto Plus and F1 commentator on TF1 and Eurosport-France reflects on the coverage given to Formula 1 by the two channels and shares his pleasure in being « free once again to say and do » what he wants about Formula 1.
As Formula 1 is set to enter a new era in France, with the acquisition of broadcasting rights by the Canal+ group, a chapter lasting more than twenty years is coming to an end for TF1 and its commentators, starting with Jean-Louis Moncet.
Good sport, Jean-Louis Moncet is not worried about the quality that Canal+ will offer, even though he reminds that the constraints imposed by the FOM and the CSA will remain the same for the encrypted channel, which will not be able to put its famous touch on the broadcast of the races per se: Rest assured, the technical quality will be there, Canal+ has demonstrated this in all its broadcasts, he comments on his blog.
The journalist from Auto Plus also acknowledges that the coverage will likely be different, probably more extensive on Canal+ than on TF1. And Jean-Louis Moncet confesses: I remain convinced that the F1 à la Une program, an idea from the iconic TF1 Sports director Jean-Claude Dassier in the early 1990s, was not as well received as believed by some TF1 executives who would have preferred a more straightforward broadcast. That is to say, from lights out to checkered flag, where the audience remains strong over time, at least where the event is happening…
Far from being upset about no longer being able to comment on the Grand Prix on television, Jean-Louis Moncet claims, on the contrary, to feel liberated: Don’t forget, commenting on F1 is great, but there are many heavy contingencies: the broadcast, the concentration, the nerves, to name just a few. But also and especially the weight of TF1 in multiple details such as behavior, choice of words, truths that are not good to say, the entourage of those who come to F1 to show themselves and not to showcase it. From now on, the journalist, who will remain more faithful than ever to Auto Plus, considers himself totally free, free to say and do what he wants.
Jean-Louis Moncet also takes the opportunity to salute Jean-Pierre Pernaut, an emblematic figure of TF1’s 1 PM news, who always defended us in his broadcast, which is the biggest news in France, and a big thumbs up to those within the channel who didn’t defend F1. But by his own admission, Jean-Louis Moncet especially holds a grudge against Eurosport-France, a channel to which [Formula 1] brought sensational audiences, for which we commented on trials and races for years without its managers ever making the slightest gesture towards Christophe [Malbranque], Jacques [Laffite], and [him]. Jean-Louis Moncet doesn’t mince his words when mentioning the “rats and scoundrels” who gradually arrived after the departure of Roger Zabel, deputy director of Eurosport-France from 2003 to 2007.
