F1 News: Martin Brundle Comments On How Lewis Hamilton Has Changed – “Used To Talk To Me A Lot But Then Stopped”
F1 commentator Martin Brundle has discussed his experience doing his iconic grid walks and how this has allowed the drivers to talk with him in confidence. This is what almost 20 years of doing this will get you as he’s brushed shoulders with drivers and team principals to CEOs and celebrities.
He’s been the lead on some of the most entertaining moments of F1, and that is before the race even starts. It’s safe to say he’s a true legend as he’s been able to explore the sport from his point of view.
“I can, because I did,” will always be a quote that resonates with Brundle fans after he laughed at Megan Thee Stallion’s team who pushed him away saying that he couldn’t speak to her.
It’s a different game with the racing drivers, however, as they’re in the zone and focussing on the race ahead of them. Because of this, Brundle has to operate differently when trying to grab a chat with them.
“A few of them will just shake their head and then even apologise later on,” Brundle told GQ in regards to racing drivers on the grid.
“Or some come up to me in the paddock and go, ‘You haven’t seen me on the grid for ages, just come and talk to me on the grid’.”
Brundle adds that Sir Lewis Hamilton used to enjoy talking before a race, but these days this has changed with him being much more inside his own head as the race approaches.
“And then others will never talk. Lewis used to talk to me a lot and then stopped, so we take it as it comes,” he continued.
Martin Brundle has a rich racing history within F1, and because of this, the drivers on the grid respect him because he has been in their shoes. Brundle realises this:
”Yeah, I think so, they know you’ve been there, you’ve done it, you’ve seen it, you’ve crashed the car, and you’re going to ask something relevant or personal,” he says..
“I never tried to dropkick them or get clever with the questions, I think that would be unfair, so it tends to be quite happy and smashy and nicey conversation.
“I’m not really going to be hitting them with an ‘I heard your contract is up soon,’ or something like that. It’s going to be relevant to the race. But generally speaking, they trust me.”
Last weekend, Brundle didn’t attend the Japanese Grand Prix so Jenson Button filled in for him. And while we loved Button who brought humour, knowledge, and well articulated responses to the racing, we can’t wait to have Brundle back soon.
