Martin Brundle has become one of the mainstays of broadcasting in Formula 1, having first commentated on a race in 1997.
The ex-driver turned pundit has evolved his broadcasting style over the years, taking a critical but often objective stance on issues or drivers having been there and done it all himself during his career.
His gridwalk has become one of the most iconic parts of his broadcasting career, although Brundle once admitted he is ‘annoyed’ that the feature is often picked up because of his blunders with celebrities.
Brundle has rarely been harsh on drivers, having once called out Max Verstappen for his radio messages to Red Bull, or famously criticising Michael Schumacher when he deliberately crashed into Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 in an attempt to win the title at Jerez.
Discussing his career in a feature on Sky Sports F1, Brundle has admitted there was one driver that he gave a ‘hard time’ on commentating on his races.
Martin Brundle admits he gave David Coulthard a ‘hard time’ when commentating
Alongside his broadcasting career, Brundle has also been a driver manager in F1 and helped out with contractual matters.
Brundle was the longtime manager of David Coulthard during his F1 career in which he took 13 wins, all while doing his broadcasting career, which often led to him having to be neutral while in the commentary booth.
“I managed one driver and that was David Coulthard. I managed him for 11 years. I was very much in the background, which is where I think managers should be and doing their work quietly,” said Brundle.
“But I was broadcasting at the time as well, so I had to be incredibly level. Sometimes I gave him a bit of a hard time to compensate.”
Martin Brundle once helped Lewis Hamilton sign his first F1 contract
Brundle once revealed to Lewis Hamilton that he helped him sign his first contract in F1 with McLaren, during his days racing in junior formulas in an interview on Sky Sports.
The Briton explained how McLaren once teared up his contract after he disagreed with them wanting him to do another season in F3 before moving to GP2 (now F2), before signing another agreement which was overlooked by Brunde.
“I’ve got all those agreements at home. The ones you’re talking about because when that ball started to get rolling, you dad asked me to help him. He faxed them to me,” said Brundle.
It goes to show how much happens behind the scenes in F1, especially with those who have been around for a long time.
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