Pre-season testing 2005, with Hiroki Yoshimoto
Ten years ago, I was given an opportunity that completely transformed my career and my life. Joining the GP2 Series at its birth as Press Officer, and later becoming Director of Communications, I spent three of my happiest years in motorsport living and working in Switzerland for Bruno Michel, Laurence Eckle and with the wonderful Marco Codello and Didier Perrin, Philippe and Riton, the engineering genius of Bernard Dudot and ably assisted on weekends by the sanity-ensuring calmness of David Cameron.
After those first three years I found myself in a position of having to make a tough choice, but ultimately followed my passion for journalism and stepped back to the other side of the fence. GP2 stayed in my heart, the press office now run by the brilliant Alexa Quintin, and I began covering the series alongside F1 until one day a phonecall from FOM saw me pick up a microphone and begin a television career that I never dared to dream I would have.
Learning on the job… Portimao 2009.
It has been a joy to be a part of the series, to get to know the drivers and teams and to publicise, report on, and eventually commentate the incredible races GP2 has always created.
But after dedicating a decade of my life to GP2 and latterly also to GP3, racing championships which I will always adore, I feel the time is right to bring an end to my active participation and to pass on the microphone. Abu Dhabi will be my last race weekend as world feed commentator for the championships I love.
Just as every GP2 and GP3 driver hopes that his or her exploits in the championships will lead to a full-time ride in F1, so my commentary in the feeder series led to my being picked up as a Formula 1 pit reporter, first for SPEED in the USA and now with NBCSN. My work in America has increased over the years to the point where I feel I am no longer able to divide my time effectively between three championships. By concentrating solely on Formula 1, I hope that I will be able to improve the quality of the content I bring to the burgeoning American audience, and help to grow the sport Stateside.
It is a decision with which I have toiled and has been one of the hardest of my professional career to make.
But all things must pass, and I feel that now is the right time to move on.
Spa podium, 2012
I still believe that GP2 is the best one-make championship in the world. And there is little chance I won’t be glued to the television watching every lap of the 2015 championship. It just won’t be my voice getting excited over the top of it.
I want to thank Stephane Samson for believing in me at the outset, to Bruno Michel for giving me the shot and a job when I had absolutely nothing a decade ago and to all the drivers, teams and individuals I’ve worked with in the series over the years. I will never be able to properly thank FOM and Jonathan Nicholas for giving me the chance to hold a microphone and go crazy about the sport and the series I love, nor to explain how in awe I am of the amazing job that everyone behind the scenes of the production does… from the cameramen trackside to Dean, Phil, Paul and everyone in “Bakersville”.
My many co-commentators over the years have provided insight, humour and tremendous friendship. To Karun, Jerome, Dani, Alexander, Alex, Antonio, Davide, Gary and Luca, I extend my unending gratitude and will forever cherish the sharing of so many happy memories.
I never received or asked for any training. What you got was me… pure and unadulterated. Every word I broadcast was spoken from my heart. Sometimes it got me into trouble. But it was always honest. It was always me.
It has been the greatest honour and privilege. But it is one I must now, with a heavy heart, pass on.
Thank you all.
And a very warm goodbye
GP2 grid, Monza 2007
The Buxton Blog 
I hope it will give you more time to create more in-depth programs like the Road To Ferrari and Mercedes segments you have done, Will. I think the network has only scratched the surface there, and they should continue to utilize your talents with similar programming.
Good luck with your future Will, you’ve been the voice of GP2 since I started watching just as Murrary Walker was the voice of F1.
Will be a weird experience watching next years championship without you commentating.
Thank you Will for your excellent commentary. I’m glad you are still staying in F1 and now you leave a big void to fill in the GP2/GP3 sphere! My favourite commentary moment of yours was of Romain Grosjean powering from 4th to 1st in just a few corners in 2010 in Barcelona: “Shut up!” as you couldn’t believe he executed his pass! A very warm GP2 and GP3 goodbye to you!
I’m genuinely sad reading this but equally I can understand your decision. Thank you for helping me get hooked on GP2 with your unrivaled commentary. I have, and will always have lots of memories of you calling some of the most exhilarating races I’ve ever clapped eyes on. Thanks again.
Will
Your commentary introduced me to gp2/3
I really only watched the big boys .
After meeting you on speedchannel
And listening to vivid description of rmthe Gp2 world I became hooked and haven’t missed a broadcast since .
Fine job and a fond farewell
Only hope is that they pick a prettier or at least easier on the eyes host for the gp2 series
(Kidding )
I truely have enjoyed your insight and expertise
Since joining NBCSN
Thanks Will for the last few years, it won’t seem right without you behind the mic, however, at the grand old age of 16, i’m happy to be the Max Verstappen of commentators 😉 You’ve been great over the years enjoy less work mate! 🙂
Well-spoken and kind farewell – you rock, Will! All the best as you delve deeper in to the world of F1. We (stateside) fans are lucky to have you along for the ride! All the best–
Thanks for the great job you did on GP2 and the passion and insight you brought to the booth. Glad I can still catch you on NBCSN on the F1 side, and thanks a LOT for the Buxton’s Big Bash in Austin last week. My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and a chance to see you guys in person!!! Look forward to seeing you in Austin again next year.
Oh Will…
GP2 and GP3 will never ever be the same without your commentary. I mean that. After following single seater series ever since the 1999 F1 season, your commentary has been the best, above and beyond everyone else.
Thank you for injecting so much excitement, insight, humor, love and joy into GP2 and GP3! I wish you the very best for the future.
Cheers!
Thanks for the great commentary will. You made it feel very at home and for no training you did a top job, enthusiastic, passionate, knowledgable, everything a fan could ask for. Keep it up!
We need you covering IndyCar too!!!!!
That’s right, IndyCar would be great with some lively British accent commentary…
Thank you Will.
I wish you the very best in your future and I hope the new commentator will be half as good as you are. You are part of the reason why I love GP2/GP3 and I now like them more then F1 itself.
I started appreciating your commentary on the good old kangaroo tv (as I am not from an English speaking country) and then immediately started switching to original feed audio on TV.
I’ve been to some of races and witnessing your podium interviews was just great.
Your knowledge of the sport and of its players is what makes the difference: we can feel your relationships with the drivers yet always unbiased. This is quality journalism.
Reading your blog posts is like reading my opinion on motorsport written by somebody else. That might sound crazy but I think you’d be great as FIA president. 🙂
You will be sadly missed, but your decision well understood.
Reblogged this on GP2 Fanatic.
I’ve been watching F1 for a few years now and I have to say I love the NBC crew. I like how you give us your take on what’s going on during the race. Good luck and thanks for working with us in the US!
Bravo, Will! We are so fortunate to have you in the F1 pits! AND, just watched The Road to Mercedes, and man, that was an awesome show! More, more, more!!!
Started out reading worrying you were leaving F1. Sorry the loss at GP2/GP# but so happy your staying and look forward to your always “on the nose” tweets and commentary.
Never will be the same. Adiós and hope to hear you again in Europe sometime.
Will, I preface this by saying I am prejudice, I am very happy with your decision.
I enjoy GP2 when I have the time to watch. But I am glad that you are staying with F1!!
Mate, you know I’m personally sad that you won’t be involved in our little world to the same extent going forward (although I know you’ll still come to visit – you just won’t be able to stay away completely…): I’m proud of the work we’ve done together over all these years, and even prouder of the friendship we forged doing it all.
Thanks for all the memories, and here’s to many more.
Loved your GP2 commentary this year. Was looking forward to more of the same in 2015, but good luck with future plans!!!
You are one of the best Will Buxton.. we will follow you anywhere in motor racing. Roger Berkon
Good luck Will. You’re the reason I got into GP2 and GP3. Your commentary felt involved and excited, and that excitement transfered to me and got me to follow the series. I probably won’t hear much from you anymore, as I’m Europe-based, but I hope you’ll have a good time.
Hello Will.
We,fans of motorsport,thank you for your “regard”,your point of view,your dedication to motorsport and GP2 in general.You develop,through the years,an unique connection with these GP2 drivers,which now for few of them,are on the top level of the sport,F1.They respect you beacause you saw them “young” and you have the same enthousiasm and the same passion to express to them.Bravo,please keep it up,we are with you all the way….👏👏👏👏👏👍🏁
Noooooo 😦 Damn it, Will, I can’t handle GP2 without you! I can only hope that the one taking the microphone now has the same enthusiasm for the seires and, mainly, the same respect you have for the drivers who race there. That’s what make you stand out in the crowd.
I won’t wish you luck, since you don’t need it, so… Rock it, man! ❤
All the best Will, and your commentary for GP2 and GP3 was unmistakably lively and exciting, though I’ve watched only a handful of races this whole decade since these races are not broadcast live and they are shown at very inconvenient times here in India. The American audience needs people of in-depth F1 knowledge and experience like you. Do your part in building a large fan following for F1 there, so that they come out of their NASCAR preoccupation and realize what a great sport this is…
Hope your blog posts will keep coming Will. Take care and once again, all the best! 🙂
Must have been a tough decision. The spirit of GP2 is unique, I wish F1 had a little bit of it.
Glad to see things are going great for you, not that long after you announced your redundancy on Twitter. Best of luck to you and keep always being yourself. xx
An unbelievably sad sad day Mr Buxton for all of us who watch GP2 & 3 and who do so because you are commentating. You will be a very very tough act to follow. Good luck in the future my friend and maybe one day hopefully I will hear your dulcet tones again
Ken Jones
>
Will,
You made GP2 come alive with your style behind the mic. Wish you every success with your F1 role stateside. You deserve it and you’ve left GP2 in a great position.
But what will become of the jacket, Will??
It will collect dust, wishing to God it had been bought instead by Nelson Piquet.
This is quite a blow to my hopes of you replacing Crofty. Thought you were the best around.
Oh Shut Up!
Thanks will for possibly the best commentary ever – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IN-lIf_62I
Genuinely gutted, Will. The American TV audiences are a lucky bunch. Your infectious enthusiasm was one of the things that first got me into GP2 and GP3, which I now utterly adore. Best of luck with everything you do next, you’re a true professional and a great talent. Thank you for sharing your love of motor sport with us and I hope that you grace either World Feed or British TV coverage again some day.
Wow – the headline made me worry we were losing another pit reporter for the US broadcast!
Totally understandable – You’ve looked pretty knackered at the end of some weekends.
I’m voting for more Off The Grid!
That’s a real shame. Your unique and refreshingly honest commentary style will be missed by many people here in the UK and all around the world I’m sure and you’ll definetely be a hard act to follow. Good luck with your work in the US which seems to be going down very well judging by the comments from the fans over there, our loss will be their gain I’m sure. Thanks for all your good work Will.
Will, as above you’ll be missed by those of us in the UK who share your enthusiasm for GP2/GP3, your commentary is second to none whoever follows you has their work cut out for them.
Good luck with continuing your work in the US and hopefully you will grace our screens again in the future.
So just to be clear – you are still doing F1 for NBCSN? If so, let’s hope we get more specials now like the utterly brilliant “Road to Ferrari”.
[…] weekend will be the last for Will Buxton as lead commentator of the GP2 and GP3 Series. Writing on his blog, Buxton said “My work in America has increased over the years to the point where I feel I am […]
Just got the news. A sad news for me.
Your voice, your enthousiasm, your knowledge, your passion, and your maths will be missed. GP2 will never sounds the same to me without you.
Anyway, I wish you all the best with NBCSN and F1.
Almost as sad as when Murray Walker left the airwaves………..almost.
Will, well done Brother. You’re honest enthusiasm is infectious and thank you for enlightening me to GP2 and GP3. I am so glad you are staying with F1 and will help bring more Americans into the paddock of fans! Also as mentioned by other’s postings the wife and I have really enjoyed you and Jason’s series on Road to Ferrari and Mercedes. L look forward to future episodes.
Sorry to hear you’re going Will, but I guess your career had to move on some point. At least it’s upwards! Will certainly miss your enthusiasm and knowledge.
[…] will also have live coverage of the final rounds of the GP2 and GP3 Series from Yas Marina, with Will Buxton commentating on both championships for the final time this […]
Thanks for all those years of excellent commenting!
Inviting all those drivers up there in the commentary box made it extra special.
Thanks again and good luck over there!
Will, thanks for the superb Gp2 commentaries, good luck with this next stage of your career have to say that your commentary in Gp2 has been fantastic and I have really enjoyed your commentary style, and from there have found your blog which makes a great read and is now regular viewing.
We’ll miss you! Have watched GP2/3 pretty religiously the last couple of years and you’re just the perfect person behind the mic! Won’t be the same without you, but good luck with the US endeavour
Thanks Will have enjoyed your commentary over the years and your enthusiasm and passion.
Just found out as I was watching the last GP2 race that it was your last commentary, just want to say it wont be the same without your enthusiastic and informative words, thankyou for adding to the excitement of both the gp2/3 series over the years, A VERY, VERY WARM GOODBYE BUDDY 😉
All the best!!!!!
Will, just watched Race 2 at Abu Dhabi and feeling weirdly emotional.
Great drivers have graced GP2 over the last 10 years, but one man has kept my interest in the series keen and got me out of bed early to watch the feeder series before the F1 – Will Buxton.
Your passion, humour and intelligent insight have made the series (+ GP3) an absolute must watch – just brush up on the maths and you will be the complete commentator!
It has been an absolute pleasure sharing many Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings with you from the comfort of my sofa over the last 10 years. The very best of luck for the future.
Hi Will
Watched last year’s abu dhabi race 2 again. I miss your commentary. The passion from your voice can never be replaced.
GP2 is still fantastic, but it is not that fantastic without listening to you.
Saying that, we do respect your decision and we hope you are enjoying it.
Yours
Jim
from Melbourne