Martin Brundle: A Pioneering Force in Formula 1 Commentary
Martin Brundle, the renowned Formula 1 commentator, has been awarded the Autocar Editor’s Award for 2024. Brundle’s success and influence in making F1 accessible to a wider audience through his role as Sky’s lead pundit and co-commentator earned him this prestigious accolade. Despite his achievements, Brundle humbly admits that he has never watched himself on TV, including his iconic grid walks. His training for commentary was simple yet effective: a meeting with the late Murray Walker, who advised him to inform and entertain viewers. Brundle has followed this mantra throughout his career.
Brundle’s approach to commentary is rooted in providing knowledge and understanding to the audience. He understands that F1 fans give up their valuable time to watch the sport and expects to be informed and entertained. He believes that commentary should not be overloaded with excessive statistics and facts, but rather focus on speaking to a broad range of viewers. Brundle appreciates the intelligence of sports fans and strives to ensure that they understand what is happening on the track.
As a commentator, Brundle has faced some challenges, particularly with the dual audience that F1 now attracts: traditional fans and newcomers drawn in by Netflix’s Drive to Survive show. He acknowledges that Netflix has played a significant role in bringing F1 to a wider audience, particularly among younger viewers and females. However, Brundle admits to some envy towards Netflix for their access to teams and behind-the-scenes footage, which he could only dream of during his 27 years covering F1 on TV.
Brundle’s love for F1 has grown over the years, especially with the current crop of drivers. He appreciates their media savviness and describes them as a “massive boy band.” He believes that the level of excellence among the teams is at its highest, although he does express regret about the size and weight of the cars in the hybrid era. Brundle advocates for sticking with V8 engines and sustainable fuels to maintain agile cars and preserve the sound that fans love.
When it comes to the dominance of Max Verstappen in the sport, Brundle notes that Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher were more universally popular in their respective eras. However, he believes that Verstappen’s talent is exceptional and compares him to the likes of Senna, Schumacher, and Hamilton. Brundle acknowledges that Verstappen initially had a feisty reputation but has matured into an incredible driver.
Looking ahead, Brundle is concerned about the major regulation changes planned for 2026, which will increase the use of battery power and reintroduce active aerodynamics. While he recognizes the importance of staying relevant for manufacturers like Audi and Honda, he worries that these changes will make the cars heavier. Additionally, Brundle would like to see more cars on the grid to provide opportunities for young drivers to showcase their skills and learn their craft.
Brundle’s dedication to F1 extends beyond commentary. He has been involved in advocating for more teams on the grid, expressing disappointment over F1’s rejection of the American Andretti team’s application. He believes that F1 should have made a greater effort to include them, as it would have brought more excitement and opportunities to the sport.
As Brundle continues his career in commentary, he also plans to compete in more classic races with his son, Alex. Despite a career hindered by an old ankle injury sustained in a race 40 years ago, Brundle remains one of the sport’s best and most respected pundits. His profound love for F1 shines through in his insightful commentary, making him an invaluable asset to the sport and its fans.
