How Martin Brundle’s famous F1 grid walks came about

Martin Brundle has revealed how his famous Formula 1 grid walks first started.

The 66-year-old Briton has worked as a pundit and commentator ever since his F1 career concluded at the end of the 1996 season.

Brundle first worked for ITV, alongside the legendary Murray Walker, before joining BBC Sport in 2009. He has been an ever-present part of Sky Sports’ broadcasting team since it took over UK F1 rights in 2012.

Brundle is known for his pre-race grid walks, which have become a fan-favourite part of Sky Sports F1’s coverage of a grand prix weekend.

In an interview with Natalie Pinkham on Sky Sports F1, Brundle opened up about how his iconic grid walks came about.

“He [Rubens Barrichello] was my teammate the year before. That's why I probably felt he'd talk to me," Brundle explained.

"That's when drivers used to come up to me in the next year or two and go, 'You haven't spoken to me on the grid. Come and find me. Why are you not talking to me on the grid?’

"Now they just look at me like I'm a double glazing salesman or something, or an insurance salesman with his foot in the door.”

Asked if the grid walk was his own idea, Brundle replied: "Wasn't my idea.

“I was at ITV at the time, and they said to me, the producers, 'We've got an idea. Why don't you walk down the grid and say what you see?' Like, 'All right, I'll give it a go.’

"That's when cars used to drive to the grid. They don't now, they stop at the back and get pushed through because Niki Lauda used to come through, cut his engine and freewheel through, which was terrifying.

"It was dangerous. So now they all come through on trolleys, and I wanted to point out to people that you sit on the floor basically. I always say it's like laying in the bath looking over the taps, is how it looks when you're in a Formula 1 car.

"And then Keith, my cameraman back in those days, put the camera over my shoulder, and I think people liked that because we didn't have many onboard cameras and all the sort of toys and tools we have today to see what the drivers are really doing, and data and what have you.”

Brundle has had many memorable encounters with celebrities on the F1 grid.

He recalled a particularly risky moment when he approached James Bond actor Daniel Craig, despite being instructed not to.

Asked if he ever gets starstruck on the grid, Brundle replied: "I feel nervous I'm going to get blanked or pushed around by a bodyguard or something.

"I was told under no circumstances must I approach Daniel Craig when he was a megastar as James Bond, he was a megastar anyway. But Tommy was in my ear going, 'Go on, go on,' and I had literally read the riot act beforehand that I must not approach him, so I did.

"He was lovely and very chatty, and he's got very impressive blue eyes."