Where is Martin Brundle today? F1 fans react to his absence

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Formula One fans are wondering where Martin Brundle is today, as the Sky Sports pundit is missing from his usual commentary duties. Here’s why the former racer sometimes misses Grand Prix weekends.

Former F1 driver Brundle has been a mainstay of F1 commentary in the UK since 1997 – the year after he retired from driving.

He first worked for ITV before moving over to the BBC in 2009 when the latter gained broadcast rights in the UK. In 2012, UK broadcast rights changed to pay TV channel Sky Sports F1, with Brundle moving once again.

Since then, he has commentated regularly on Sky’s coverage. The driver of 158 Grands Prix, Brundle usually joins Croft for qualifying and the race on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

But with Brundle missing from commentary recently, some are wondering where he is.

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Where is Martin Brundle today?

10-time podium finisher Brundle is missing from Sky’s coverage for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Brundle has missed Grands Prix in Azerbaijan, Hungary, Holland, Russia and Turkey over the past year. Given the high number, and frequency of Grands Prix this season, Sky has been rotating its on-air talent.

Brundle elected to skip the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as his contract allows him to miss a number of races throughout the year. Essentially, the former racer is not contracted to be at every GP on the F1 calendar, which is why he’ll sometimes miss race days.

Unfortunately, Sky doesn’t release their commentator lineups for race days ahead of schedule so we don’t know which Grand Prix Brundle will miss this season.

Aside from lead commentator David Croft, other pundits including Brundle, Jenson Button, Paul di Resta and Karun Chandhok are rotated to ensure everyone is well rested.

Fans reacted to Brundle’s absence at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend:

Brundle continues to race classic cars

Brundle, who won the 1990 Le Mans 24 Hours is a keen historic racer. He often takes part in events such as the Silverstone Classic and Goodwood Revival.

The broadcaster missed the Hungarian GP before the summer break last year as he was competing at the Silverstone Classic.

He took part along with his son, Alex, who often commentates on F1 and the junior series for F1TV.

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Joshua Rogers

Joshua is a senior sports writer with over four years' experience in online writing. He graduated with a BA in Ancient History from The University of Manchester before receiving an MA in Sports Journalism from The University of Central Lancashire. He became a trending writer for a leading social publisher and later spent time covering the 2018 World Cup for The Mirror Online. He then moved to a social marketing agency where he acted as website editor. His specialties on The Focus include F1, tennis, NBA, NFL and combat sports.