F1 presenter to miss first GP in nearly three decades after race cancellation

Tom Clarkson's almost 30-year run in Formula One will come to an end (Image: Getty)

Long-time Formula One presenter Tom Clarkson will end his streak of attending every Grand Prix since 1998 with his planned absence at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The broadcaster is best known as the host of the FIA press conferences during race weekends and also fronts the Beyond the Grid F1 podcast series.

Clarkson has impressively gone 28 years without missing a race, but his record will end next month. The Grand Prix was originally set to be held in Bahrain in April before it was cancelled due to unrest in the Middle East, and has since been rescheduled to take place in Malaysia on October 4.

Get race details, team updates, results and opinion plus selected offers and competitions

I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family.

You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.

The race will go without Clarkson, who'll be replaced by Rachel Brookes for the weekend due to his clash of schedules. Earlier this year, the presenter and former F1 world champion Damon Hill began their 'An Evening with Damon Hill – In Conversation with Tom Clarkson' UK tour. The tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of Hill's title victory in 1996 with Williams.

The success of their partnership has resulted in a five-date expansion of the tour to take place in Australia and New Zealand from September 28 to October 5. The rescheduling of the Bahrain Grand Prix for next month means Clarkson will have to miss out on the race.

Tom Clarkson has been a staple of Formula One for almost 30 years (Image: Getty)

Experience F1 live with Gullivers Travel (Image: Experience F1 live with Gullivers Travel)

Big moments. Packed grandstands. A championship battle that's heating up.

When the Formula 1 season delivers like this, watching from home just isn’t the same as being there when the lights go out.

With Gullivers Sports Travel, you can experience the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar LIVE! Enjoy tickets, handpicked hotels, and seamless travel with one of the UK’s leading sports travel specialists.

Don’t just watch the action, experience it live. Visit gulliverstravel.co.uk and secure your place today.

Clarkson opened up about the new tour dates in Oceania and told Speedcafe: "Well everyone loves an anniversary don’t they? So the 30th anniversary of Damon winning the world title in 1996 felt like a great opportunity to sort of celebrate with him.

"And that’s why Damon and I went and did this tour in the UK back in January. We did nine dates, top to bottom. Scotland to the bottom of England. And we had so much fun doing it that the organisers Fane said, ‘Guys, that was amazing. Would you ever think about perhaps taking it abroad?’ And we were like, ‘yeah, sure!'"