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Steve Slater

Full Biography

Stephen (Steve) Slater is the voice of STAR Sports' Formula One coverage. The self-confessed "petrol-head" started his commentary stint with the network in 2000 and - alongside Chris Goodwin - created a popular and knowledgeable duo behind the microphone. He started in motor racing first as a ‘hopeful' amateur driver, then as writer and commentator and, as he says, "I keep pinching myself that I got one of the best jobs in the world - and I'm still doing it!".

BACKGROUND

Born in Darlington, County Durham in 1957, Steve's interest in motor sport began with rallying and rally-cross; marshalling and then competing with cars such as Mini Coopers in the mid 1970s as a hobby in the North of England. It became a full-time occupation in 1985, when he became a freelance writer, local radio broadcaster and motor racing commentator. Steve also launched a regional motoring magazine and became one of the first satellite TV motor racing commentators for the Screensport channel.

MEDIA RELATIONS & MOTOR SPORT

Subsequent activities included handling media relations for Scotland's first-ever international motor race; the 1987 Scottish SuperPrix Formula 3 event, which featured drivers such as Johnnie Herbert, David Coulthard and Damon Hill. Steve also spent two years working with Britain's top stunt driver, Russ Swift, to create a driving display promoting Rover cars on dealer forecourts all over the country.

In 1989 Stephen moved to London to join the agency CSS Promotions. One of his first jobs was the promotion of the British Touring Car Championship and the setting up of a new team, supported by Canadian sponsor Labatt's. Steve now heads up Kingpin Media, an agency that handles copywriting and creation of media events, in addition to providing support for the Rockingham Motor Speedway track.

STEVE, THE MOTORSPORT JOURNALIST

ALongside these activities, Stephen continued to operate as a journalist, writing for Autosport, Motor Sport and The Times newspaper. TV race commentaries included BTCC, DTM, Formula 3 and Grand Prix for the BBC, ITV, Eurosport and Sky.

In 1995 Stephen moved to Malmö, Sweden, where he acted as a marketing and promotions manager for the Mantorp Park motor racing circuit group and clients such as Mobil, Land Rover and Volvo as well as developing the Swedish Touring Car Championship. He was subsequently based in Brussels, working between Europe and Detroit as European PR co-ordinator for Chrysler Corporation. Even then, Stephen continued to return to England fortnightly to commentate for Sky TV!

Stephen returned to the UK in 1998. In addition to TV commentary work on national motorsport for Channel 4, Sky in the UK, and - of course - on STAR Sports. He also acts as the UK-based reporter, presenter and feature producer for the channel's ‘Raceday' magazine programme.

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Question & Answer with Steve Slater

Q: How did you come to be in your current position in your broadcasting career?

SS: I first started working as a commentator in British National motor racing in the mid 1980s and covered some of the smaller series such as Formula Ford and Formula Three. The young kids then who were coming up the ladder included Mika Hakkinen, Damon Hill, Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard. While working for the British channel Sky Sports, I also commentated on some other rookies a bit later, including Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and a young karting genius called Lewis Hamilton! I first started working in Formula One in 1990 as a sports writer and then in 1997, I got asked to commentate on Grand Prix for Star Sports - I've only missed two races since!

Q: What is your favourite sport outside of the one you are best known for?

SS: I'm no great expert, but like everyone I keep a close watch on the English Premier League. I also support our local football club, Chesham United, in the little country town where I live in Southern England. Our ground, ‘The Meadow' attracts about 500 spectators on a good day, so it's not exactly the Emirates Stadium, but the passion is just the same!

Q: How do you relax when you are not working?

SS: With the mixture of commentating, travelling and a large amount of writing, I don't really get much time off. I'm a bit of a couch potato when I'm home. I also restore and maintain some vintage cars and vintage aircraft. They seem to take up all my spare time....and money!

Q: Who was the biggest influence on your life - either within your career or outside?

SS: One big influence - and I'm proud to say friend - over the years is the legendary former BBC commentator Murray Walker. It was his passion that got me hooked as a kid and when I first started commentating he was very generous with his time and knowledge. One thing I learned from him is the value of lots of preparation. Like Murray, I arrive in the commentary booth with literally a book full of notes and statistics I prepare in the week before every race. As Murray once put it, commentary is as much about perspiration as it is inspiration!

Q: Who is the most memorable individual you have met during your playing or working life?

SS: Wow. Where do I start? I've been so lucky. I suppose I have been fortunate to meet some of the very best. The late, great Ayrton Senna has to be one of the most charismatic drivers ever and I consider it a privilege to have met him. Michael Schumacher is truly impressive too. I've never seen him ever do anything than offer 100-percent, whether in an interview, in a car or even just in a general conversation. However I also have to add the 1950s racing legend Sir Stirling Moss. He again gives 100-percent at everything he does. Even now at 78 years of age, he is still a spectacular driver. Taking a lap of Silverstone with Sir Stirling a few years ago in his Le Mans winning D-Type Jaguar, has to be one of those ‘golden moments'.

Q: Tell us the funniest story you have heard regarding your chosen, or any, sport.

SS: The problem with funny stories is sometimes that they're only funny at the time. One I do love though concerns a fellow commentator who after partying a little too well on the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix, found himself in Budapest, unable to remember the name of his hotel. In desperation he flagged down an official vehicle, only to discover he was trying to hitch a ride in Bernie Ecclestone's limo! (Bernie apparently did, drop him at the hotel!)

Q: Do you/did you have a nickname?

SS: Because of my messing about with vintage biplanes, I have been nicknamed ‘Biggles' by some! I got my revenge by starting an aircraft restoration company called Biggle Biplane Limited.

Q: Tell us something we may not know about you.

SS: Away from the race track, I'm a qualified light aircraft pilot and spend a lot of time restoring and flying vintage aeroplanes such as de Havilland Tiger Moths. Myself and a colleague who is a professional aircraft engineer recently started our own aircraft restoration company, Biggles Biplane Limited. We're currently working on everything from 1940s ‘warbirds' to a First World War biplane, which we're fully rebuilding, after recovering its remains from the roof of a barn!

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