Car speak can be second-hand

The West McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 launch went off with all the usual ballyhoo.

It featured almost 5,000 people crowded into Alexander Palace and a star-studded line-up of entertainers on hand, including Jamiroquai and the Spice Girls.

BBC sports presenter Steve Rider was also there, moonlighting as compere for the unveiling of the car.

“It’s silver, it’s threatening, it’s menacing, it’s classy,” enthused the immaculate frontman.

This was interesting because Rider had also hosted the Total Jordan Peugeot Formula 1 launch the week before and talked about that car in similarly glowing terms.

The Diary concludes this must either be an example of the BBC’s balance in action or the pragmatic Rider taking the line that two cheques are always better than one.