Martin Brundle has had a long career in F1. (Image: Getty)
Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has admitted he resented going into the media after retiring from the sport as a driver. Brundle, 65, list for services to motor racing and sports broadcasting.
It follows him spending more than four decades in motorsport, having debuted in F1 with the Tyrrel Racing Organisation in 1984.
He’d previously spent five years in the British Saloon Touring Car Championship and two seasons in Formula 3.
Brundle would go on to make 158 F1 starts, also representing the likes of , Benetton, and Jordan. He achieved nine podium finishes, but was forced to bow out of the sport after the 1996 season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.
After failing to secure a drive for the following year, he joined ITV as a commentator, also working for the before joining Sky’s coverage in 2011. He’s since gone on to be a popular media figure, with his pre-race grid walks providing some famous television moments.
But now Brundle has admitted he hated his initial move into broadcasting. “I went into it kicking and screaming because I didn’t want to do it, I was so angry,” he told Sky Sports News.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Brundle joined Sky in 2011. (Image: Getty)
“In 1997, working with Murray Walker in the box, I was like, I want to be on the gird. I don’t want to be talking about it. And then, that turned out to be a very lucky thing.”
Brundle also paid tribute to those who had supported him during his esteemed career. By receiving an OBE, he follows in the footsteps of the iconic Walker, who died in 2021 at the age of 97.
“It means a great deal to me, I was really chuffed about it,” he added. “And then you think back, I started racing a Ford Anglia 105E when I was 12 and you think back of all the family, friends, my colleagues, team members in Formula 1 and sponsors, and every step of the way somebody made it happen for you.”
Don’t miss…
Brundle was flooded with congratulatory messages when his award was confirmed this month, and took to social media to write: “Thank you for so many lovely messages, they mean as much to me as the OBE, which is a great deal to say the least.
“My eternal and sincere thanks to family, friends, motorsport and broadcasting teammates, and motorsport folk and fans, for the help and support since I first grass-tracked a Ford Anglia 53 years ago. It’s been a blast, I’m a very lucky man.”