Driven Lee McKenzie determined to be more than a pretty face

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 19:40

WHEN Brawn's Jenson Button clinched the Formula One title in Brazil, nine million viewers watched as he smacked a kiss on cheek of the BBC's F1 pitlane reporter Lee McKenzie and chanted: "I'm world champion, baby!"

On Thursday 31-year-old McKenzie, from Alloway in Ayrshire, was togged up against the Scottish weather as she started in the inaugural Rally of Scotland alongside Sir Jackie Stewart and Alex Salmond.

"Aye, it's a bit of a change from the sweltering heat of Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago," McKenzie, a fully qualified world rally co-driver, laughed.

"When the plans for the Rally of Scotland were announced, I'd hoped to compete but when I looked at my schedule and saw how hectic it was I realised there was no way. Still, it's fantastic to be involved directly."

Hectic is an understatement when it comes to reviewing McKenzie's schedule. So far this year she's boarded 47 flights, visited 21 countries and travelled around 150,000 miles.

"It hasn't left me much time to chill and see my family and friends," she admitted, "but it's my job. It's what I do." And it's something which – despite many people initially viewing her as the "token girl" in the BBC F1 team – she has excelled at.

"I work very, very hard at my job," said McKenzie. "Far too many journalists or TV people don't know the background of many of the young drivers coming into F1. I think it's our duty to know these young, emerging drivers before they get to F1, and that's what I do. I still go to different series and watch them so I know them when they do get to F1."

Anyone who thinks McKenzie is just a pretty face who smiles to the camera and gushes in front the millionaire drivers couldn't be further from the truth. Behind her attractive exterior beats the heart of a true media professional who isn't shy of criticising some of her female opposition. "I spend the bulk of the race weekend in my racesuit," said McKenzie. "It's not the most attractive piece of kit, it's hot and often uncomfortable, and it certainly isn't remotely sexy. But it's the uniform I wear for my work and I'm comfortable with that. That said, when Claire Balding covers the Grand National, she's not standing there in jodhpurs.

"But there are other girls in F1 who do my job. Some of them are dressed like they're going to a nightclub. That's not how I do things; and it's definitely not what the BBC want."

She added: "The drivers are extremely respectful. They know I'm there to do a job. That said, I don't hide away from the fact I'm a female and I'm sure there are times it has been a benefit. I'm not silly enough that I don't know there are times where it has helped me. Other times it goes against me. But as long as I have everyone's respect, I'm OK."