Reputed F1 commentator Jack Nicholls has had his contract terminated by Formula E after an investigation found him guilty of “inappropriate behaviour” following multiple complaints.
While Nicholls is a regular commentator on BBC 5 LIve’s coverage of F1 as well as being seen on the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, he is better known in Formula E circuits, being the mainstay in the commentary team since 2014.
Something was already amiss after it had been announced that Nicholls would not be present at the Monaco Grand prix as well as the Jakarta ePrix the coming weekend. No explanation had been offered at that time, but the cause of his sacking has now become more evident.
A total of three complaints were reportedly levelled out at Nicholls, with a Formula E spokesman confirming the sports body’s stance.
“Formula E can confirm that an investigation was carried out in response to complaints of inappropriate behaviour received about Jack Nicholls,” the spokesman said.
“Following this investigation, Jack Nicholls’s contract to provide race commentary was terminated.”
The Times has further elaborated on the three complaints, including one with a woman he was in a relationship with. While one complaints was due to “inappropriate touching” by Nicholls, the other two were focused on his behaviour.
Nicholls has sought to defend himself from this, and came out with a statement of his own after the decision.
“Although disappointed with the decision, I respect it and accept why it was taken,” Nicholls said.
“I want to take full responsibility for what I did and apologise unreservedly for a couple of isolated incidents that has made those concerned feel uncomfortable.”
Following his sack, BBC has roped in Ben Edwards to take over from Nicholls.
The decision to sack him was made by Formula E and it remains unclear whether Nicholls will lose out on his commitments in F1.