Martin Brundle expressed his immense joy (“ecstatic”) upon receiving an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the King`s New Year`s Honours list. The Sky Sports F1 pundit and former F1 driver, who achieved nine podium finishes during his racing career, was recognised for his significant contributions to both motor racing and sports broadcasting. The Prince of Wales presented the award to him at Windsor Castle.
A veteran of 158 Grand Prix starts, Brundle has been a prominent figure in Sky Sports F1`s broadcasting team since the channel began its coverage in 2012.
Speaking about the honour, Brundle told Sky Sports News, “It made me feel very lucky and very privileged because always something like this, you receive on behalf of an awful lot of other people because either they were designing and creating and fixing my racing cars, or working with us in the broadcasting industry.”
He emphasised the collaborative nature of success at the highest level: “You can`t do anything on your own at the level of Formula 1. I`ve been very lucky to have two careers in F1 as a driver and a broadcaster, which this award has been presented for.”
Brundle, aged 65, mentioned having “plenty to talk about” with the Prince of Wales, recalling their first meeting at the 1992 British Grand Prix. “He came along with his mother and his brother,” Brundle recounted, “We met them just after the drivers` briefing on race day.”
Their shared connection to West Norfolk provided common ground. Brundle added, “We`re west Norfolk people and he spends quite a bit of time up there, so plenty to talk about. He told me a few other things, but I guess they`re private.”
Congratulations poured in from the motorsport world, including F1 President Stefano Domenicali and Mercedes driver George Russell, who praised Brundle on social media for his well-deserved recognition.
Viewers are Living the Grid Walk
Brundle is perhaps most widely recognised for his signature pre-race grid walks, known for their spontaneous interviews with drivers and celebrities just before the race begins. He attributes their popularity to their unpredictable nature.
He explained his role: “We`re only there to tell the story, the stories about the cars and the drivers, and we`re there to explain what is a fast-moving and highly complex sport.”
Despite the chaotic environment – “the grid, it just gets busier… I can`t see anybody half the time, sometimes I can`t even see an F1 car” – he aims to provide unique insights. He believes the “bit edgy” quality and occasional failures of the grid walk make it relatable, as viewers “are kind of living it” alongside him.
Brundle admits he`s never watched one of his grid walks in the 27 years he`s been doing them, finding the “cheeky and interrupting” style somewhat unnatural, yet acknowledging it has “grown a life of its own.” The segment was originally intended to build excitement after the cars lined up, creating energy before the start.
He highlights the unique access it provides: “The chance to talk to a driver literally before they pull their crash helmets on and zoom down to the first corner is unique in sport.”
Marcus Prine