Louise Goodman is leaving her role at ITV after almost 30 years, bringing an end to a distinguished broadcasting career that began in the Formula One pit lane.
The 63-year-old first joined the broadcaster in 1997 as a pit-lane reporter for its Formula One coverage. Over the years, she reported from the heart of the F1 paddock during an era that featured Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso, as well as Lewis Hamilton's rise to prominence.
Final race and BTCC career
Her final race with ITV's F1 team was the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton clinched his maiden World Championship on the final corner of the last lap. Goodman helped make Formula One coverage a staple of British Sunday sporting schedules, establishing herself as one of the finest pit-lane reporters of her generation.
She went on to cover the British Touring Car Championship on ITV4 from 2009, and has now decided to bring her career to an end.
Emotional statement
In a statement, Goodman wrote: "I've decided to step down from ITV Sport's team covering the British Touring Car Championship. It brings an end to an amazing chapter with ITV, which started almost exactly 30 years ago when they took a punt on a total novice and offered me a pit lane reporter role with their brand new F1 team."
She added: "Since 2007, I have found a very happy, welcoming home in the BTCC paddock and I am going to deeply miss my brilliant, tight-knit immediate team, the wider ITV family, and the countless wonderful people who make up the BTCC and all the support paddocks.
"To everyone who has been a part of this ride – from F1 to touring cars, on screen, off screen, watching at home or just shouting at your telly when I call someone by the wrong name – thank you. Thank you for the fun, the friendships and most of all the fabulous racing. What a way to earn my pennies all these years. It's been nothing short of amazing."
Fan reaction
Fans shared their reactions on social media, with one writing on X: "Such a shame. Best in the business," while another said: "She will be missed, a huge part of what makes BTCC such a world-class championship."
A third stated: "Absolutely gutted the BTCC has lost a diamond. She will be sadly hard to replace," and another added: "Happy retirement, Louise. The paddock won't be the same."
