The board of the British Racing Drivers’ Club were left red-faced after news of David Coulthard’s imminent appointment as the organisation’s president was broken on live TV by Eddie Jordan, before the club’s own members knew.

During Channel 4’s live British Grand Prix broadcast Jordan, who acts as a pundit for the station, blurted out that his co-presenter Coulthard was set to get top spot at the Silverstone-based organisation when current president Paddy Hopkirk ends his term in September.

The error was news to the BRDC’s 850 members. When contacted by Motor Sport the BRDC confirmed that Coulthard had secured the recommendation of the board and is currently the only candidate to take over the presidency. Nominations close on August 26. A spokesperson for the club admitted: “We would rather Eddie Jordan had not said anything as the members had not yet been informed of this proposal, although they have been since…”

At least there’s a bright side to Channel 4 only having one live GP this season…