Martin Brundle Interview
October 31st, 2008: Brundle's ITV F1 memories
As ITV ended 12 years of F1 coverage in 2008, Martin Brundle listed some of his enduring memories.
* I vividly recall the first ever TV 'link' I did with Murray in a shopping centre in Melbourne back in '97.
Bizarrely, this shopping centre had a statue of Marilyn Monroe in the doorway with a breeze blowing up her skirt in a classic Monroe stance – we had to walk past it into an amusement arcade to do some links. Quite what the F1 association was I can't remember.
It was a very odd weekend all round, because I wanted to be a racing driver and I wasn't: I was talking to this camera and trying to find my way in an alien environment.
* I don't know much, but I do know a lot about teams and the ITV F1 team has always had a broad base of hard-working, creative people who gelled from day one.
You can't blame them for the adverts, and I think they've taken Formula 1 coverage massively forwards.
Over the 12 years I was a grand prix driver I think I did two interviews on TV, because there was so little air time back then.
I thoroughly enjoyed making the driving and technical features over the years. I am very proud of those pieces of TV.
The creativity, dedication and team spirit of my colleagues has been a great experience, and I've learned an awful lot from them. Nothing is forever but I'm very sad that we are disbanding.
* I never watch or listen to my commentaries and I've hardly ever seen a Grid Walk other than a couple of snips I caught on YouTube.
I don't have the time and I don't find it comfortable watching myself. The fans, forums and blogs soon let you know how you are doing!
I've met some fascinating people on the grid: kings, prime ministers, movie stars, pop stars and even the occasional racing driver.
It's like an alter ego for me, because I'm not the kind of person who interrupts people – I don't really recognise the bloke who bounces around being cheeky and rude on the grid. And I truly hate bothering the drivers.
I do, though, love the adrenaline rush of what is five minutes of live, unscripted, unrehearsed, 'car crash' TV.
The Grid Walk has taken on a life of its own. It wasn't my idea; it was thought up by Gerard Lane and Neil Duncanson from North One, who suggested I walk along the grid and talk about what I saw. I think we pioneered it at the 1997 British Grand Prix.
* The laughable commentary boxes at some Formula 1 tracks.
They really are shoeboxes: noisy, sweaty, tiny places that you share with a load of electronic boxes which do all sorts of weird and wonderful things that I've never understood.
* The race that stands out is Suzuka 2005, when Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso came scything through the field and Kimi took the lead on the last lap. It was just a thrill and a pleasure to commentate on.
Story by www.itv-f1.com
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