Who is Martin Brundle? Career, net worth of ex-F1 driver now a TV commentator for Formula 1

Abraham Smith

Formula 1 is back with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race on the calendar for 2023.

All eyes will be on whether Max Verstappen and Red Bull can retain their respective individual and constructors’ world titles after a successful (but often controversial) 2022 season.

There are a number of exciting new changes for 2023 that will keep fans, teams, drivers and TV pundits on their toes.

The Sporting News profiles one of those familiar TV faces: British commentator and pundit Martin Brundle. Here’s everything you need to know about him…

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Who is Martin Brundle?

Martin Brundle, 63, is a former Formula One driver who is now a highly respected face in television coverage of the sport.

After retiring from driving in the 1990s, he was a commentator for ITV from 1997 to 2008, then for the BBC from 2009 to 2011 and has worked for Sky Sports since 2012.

Brundle competed in F1 between 1984 and 1989 and then again between 1992 and 1996, driving for teams including Benetton, McLaren and Williams. He achieved nine podiums in his F1 career but never won an overall race. He achieved his best championship result in 1992 in sixth place.

Away from Formula 1, Brundle competed several times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Touring Car Championship and the World Sportscar Championship, winning the former in 1990. He was also a frequent test driver in Formula 1.

He became a commentator alongside the legendary Murray Walker in 1997 and has since taken on a number of roles in British television coverage of Formula 1. He was the lead commentator, the co-commentator, a reporter and a moderator.

These days, Brundle is known as Sky Sports’ ‘Lead Analyst’, known for his famous grid walks before the start of a race. While covering the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, he revealed he had suffered a heart attack while running for the podium interviews. He made a full recovery.

Martin Brundle’s net worth

Brundle is reported to have a net worth of £80million ($96million) stemming from his racing days, money he made through broadcasting work (he is said to earn a salary of £1.3million from Sky ) as well as a shop he works with. owns with his younger brother Robin.

What is F1’s Brundle Clause?

At the end of the 2021 season, Brundle announced that Formula 1 had introduced a new rule requiring celebrities to lose their bodyguards before the start of races after a collision between Brundle and rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s bodyguard was.

The performer’s entourage sidestepped Brundle on his usual grid walk, during which he asks quick questions of crews, drivers and VIPs before the start of a race.

Commenting on the incident, Brundle said: “I’ve felt pressure on the grid before, but from people named Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Mansell, Piquet and so on.

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“Bodyguards visiting the grid for the first time don’t bother me, everyone has a job to do, but they could maybe learn some manners and respect on our patch.

“I like to name some of the celebs that I think use the grid just a little bit, if I’m being honest. They don’t really have a passion.”

It appears Brundle has now been heard by F1 authorities and celebrity entourage is restricted if they are on the grid.

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