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The five red lights illuminate, and when they go out, “The inaugural Indian Grand Prix is go!” These words from Steve Slater made me a proud Indian F1 fan. I have heard Steve speak these very words at every single Grand Prix I have watched in the last 14 years. In my living memory, he has never missed a single race.
Steve Slater was born in Darlington in 1957. His interest in motor sport began with rallying and rally-cross. In 1985, he became a freelance writer and motor sport commentator. He is also a qualified light aircraft pilot.
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He handled the media relations for the 1987 Scottish Super Prix Formula 3 event. In 1989, Stephen moved to London to join CSS Promotions. Even today, he continues providing support for the Rockingham Motor Speedway track.
Steve continues to write for Autosport, Motor Sport and The Times newspaper. In 1995, he moved to Sweden where he did marketing and promotion for the Mantorp Park motor racing circuit. He also continued to visit England to commentate for Sky TV. Steve returned to the UK in 1998 to work for Channel 4 and Star Sports.
Usually, most sport fans never watch the pre/post event shows. But, Steve Slater’s Raceday is both interesting and entertaining. Commentators have always played a special role in the world of sport. In some sports, you could do without a commentator. But in F1, the commentator is the life of the sport, apart from the engines revving at 300 km/hr, of course.
All sports have unsung heroes – the managers, the backroom staff, the physios etc. Steve Slater is one of the best commentators the world has seen and the undisputed and unsung hero of Formula 1. He may have lost some hair on his head, but never his enthusiasm.
His partnership with Chris Goodwin in the commentary box was the stuff of legends. The Dynamic Duo of Formula 1 kept the fans entertained season after season.
When asked about his job he says, “I keep pinching myself that I got one of the best jobs in the world – and I’m still doing it!”
So, here’s to Steve Slater – The Legend.
