Appreciating the passion of Formula 1 guru Martin Brundle

Formula 1 guru Martin Brundle made his debut in1984 for Tyrrell before enduring an on-and-off relationship with Formula 1 until the end of 1996. But it wasn’t until after his retirement when his career really took off.

When a particular person has a certain love for something, there are times when that person in question can never let go. In this instance, that person is Martin Brundle, with the subject being Formula 1.

He had a turbulent Formula 1 career that spanned 12 years and included 158 race starts with eight different teams, during which time he achieved nine podium finishes.

An experienced driver who could not achieve all he wanted in a Formula 1 car, Brundle did know how to drive a sports car. A 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 1990 seemingly rejuvenated his racing career. But even with a highly successful sports car career on the horizon, the love affair the Norfolk boy had with Formula 1 was too much to resist.

And from 1997 to the present day, Brundle has firmly planted his roots within the Formula 1 commentary box.

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The outpouring of support for the late Murray Walker opened a lot of peoples’ eyes when it came to which voice they refer to when in relation to Formula 1. For many, that voice was Walker’s. However, for many of the more recent era, that voice is Brundle’s.

It seems, in today’s world, that pundits and commentators are not appreciated as much as they can be before it is too late, and that can be a big shame.

Brundle is able to radiate his passion for racing without having to move. The energy he is able to put behind his words while watching a Formula 1 car enables us fans to imagine ourselves in the booth alongside him.

Whether it is on the first lap or the 60th time around, the energy remains consistent. But it is not a deluded energy. If a race is not as exciting as it should be, he will be the first to state that fact — and making those statements hurts him the most. A sour word against the sport in which he is so involved stains him and stays with him.

A large advantage Brundle has is his racing experience. He is able to explain a driver’s mentality as the drivers are competing. Sometimes a driver needs to be explained from another racer’s perspective to viewers in a clear way, with very little mistakes.

There have been many times when Brundle lived through the pain and emotion that the drivers currently sitting in the car are going through. Sure, no current Formula 1 driver has ended up on his side at Tabac at Monaco or had a Verstappen on his head — Jos, not Max.

As a Norfolk boy, Brundle comes with his Norfolk sayings, which, in a strange way, makes him seem more human and a lot more relatable. It is as if he has created his own language when it comes to describing the movement of a race car.

An ability to switch from concentration to humor and then place the focus back on the race is a skill he utilizes effectively. But one thing remains constant: Formula 1 will always be the topic.

Thankfully, he is allowed to stand trackside during Free Practice 2 sessions, talking through what the drivers are looking for at the particular corner where he stands, and he sometimes explains what the drivers got horribly wrong on either entry, mid-corner or exit. He also explains which cars are performing the best during each part of the corner.

Even in his passionate rants on the exploitation of track limits, he makes his point very clear when it comes to keeping all four wheels on the track.

It is commentating on a qualifying lap when Brundle really comes alive. His commentary kicks into another gear when he is allowed a full lap to, just himself, commentate on the driver and the car working in unison.

His passion is evident when he sees a driver pushing to the limit, when the greatest cars on the planet are being pushed to the max, when he spots the driver’s braking point, etc. Even when he sees things such as the elevation or undulation changes to the track or a change a driver makes on the steering wheel, his energy is truly unmatched.

A good commentator makes it clear what is happening on track, but a great one can make you feel every bump in the road and can even make you imagine yourself sitting trackside while listening.

It is refreshing when viewers can relate their passion that of those to whom they are watching or listening. Brundle’s understanding of the sport is second to none. As a former driver, he is able to feel the emotions of the car just as well as the driver. When a car whacks a kerb, the winces from Brundle can be heard across the paddock, as he can almost hear the car scream in pain.

It is almost unimaginable to watch a Formula 1 event, especially on British TV, and not hear the recognizable voice of the guru. A very strange time it will be when that time comes.