What is going on with Martin Brundle?

[Flat Out Farr]

Hi Fellow Enthusiasts;

I don't know whether anyone else has picked up on this, but Martin seems to be less opinionated this season, as well as having a slightly lower profile in the 2008 commentary team.

I personally think that, next to James Hunt, he has been one of the great F1 commentators, owing to his experience in the cars, as well as in other levels of motorsport, and his ability to play motorsport politics.
Anyone one who can deal with Walkinshaw and come out on top deserves respect in my books!

The cynic in me suspects that Uncle Bernie didn't appreciate his James Hunt type of opinions last season, and may have (alledgedly), threatened to withdrawl his F1 pit-pass if he didn't tone down his comments regarding how
F1 is run etc etc.

Whilst I am sure Louise Goodman is a lovely lady, Martin Brundle is much better at doing the pit walk-about.
I also noticed that he seems to be doing much less of the commentary than
James Allen.

So come on ITV, let Martin carry on at the same level etc as 2007, not the subdued MB we seem to have at the minute.

PS: I saw the Malaysian GP on Spanish TV and then the ITV version I had recorded, when I got back to the UK. The former was Alonso, Alonso, Alonso, in fact I thought Alonso had won it at one point. The ITV coverage was very good and made me appreciate it's lack of bias and fairness to all the drivers.

[Knowlesy]

The problem is if he says anything even slightly controversial he will be pursued in the courts by the FIA.

To be honest I see no difference. He may not be giving outrageous opinions but so what? That is not essential. He is still doing a good job, the only thing is I notice he makes more mistakes than he used to but hey-ho.

[Adam43]

Perhaps he just hasn't had anything contriversial he has needed to say. He's not Eddie Irvine. Only says something when it is worth saying.

[Flat Out Farr]

It will be a great shame if PC affects F1 the way it has everyday life !
I take Knowlesy's point, I agree; MB does do a good job, and that is what helps make it worth watching, i.e. his informed opinion.

Anyone else got a take on this??

[safc_fan89]

"The ITV coverage was very good and made me appreciate it's lack of bias and fairness to all the drivers."

Is that supposed to be a joke?

[Aysedasi]

I hadn't noticed any difference, personally......

[Flat Out Farr]

Originally Posted by safc_fan89

"The ITV coverage was very good and made me appreciate it's lack of bias and fairness to all the drivers."

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Compared to Spanish TV, YES!!!!

[Adam43]

Is Spanish TV even more of a Lewis show?

[Ralf's Girl]

I hadn't noticed any great difference in Brundle's style of commentary - I think he did a good job last year and continues to do a good job this year. I wouldn't like to hear him being controversial just for the sake of it.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Flat Out Farr

Compared to Spanish TV, YES!!!!

I'm sure that the Spanish commentary is very 'even handed' and in no way makes out Alonso to be the "God" that he undoubtedly is.

[BootsOntheSide]

What with traction control gone, and some engines not fully adapted to them, driver errors are more likely and more excusable this year, so there's less need to criticise the drivers at this stage.

[garcon]

I thought the "ambition overtook adhesion" comment on Massa's spin was classic Brundle.

I'm not sure he has much reason to worry about any legal action - he has no need to discuss F1 politics in the commentary box (and rarely ever has done).

[Chiefy]

I concur. Brundle's commentary has been good so far this season. I, like Knowlesy, think he's made more mistakes in the past couple of seasons than he used to - but it's not like he's at James Allen's level so I'm not worried. And Steve Parrish got a wrong name in the Moto GP race (de Angelis instead of Nakano) earlier today, so it's not like he'd be the first person to make an error on live television. Take Janet Jackson as another example. At least Martin hasn't exposed himself to us all...

[Smokey 6 litre]

perhaps MB is playing down his role with ITV so they wont be so upset when he jumps ship to the BBC next year.

[JeremySmith]

Welcome! to Ten-Tenths "Flat Out Farr"..

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

Perhaps he just hasn't had anything contriversial he has needed to say. He's not Eddie Irvine. Only says something when it is worth saying.

Oh, we should have him. That sure would spice things up. BBC, are you reading this?

[duke_toaster]

Yes, but I think a few lawyers from some teams would want to do things that Max enjoys to the BBC ...

[Sodemo]

I dont understand why viewers choose to chastise commentators for making the odd mistake. Its motorsport, a fast paced, action packed (or supposed to be) sport, commentators are required to be quick thinkers and talkers, mistakes will happen, they are only human. I never understood the mini-witch hunt against Murray Walker for the same reason, they are human, humans make mistakes.

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I dont understand why viewers choose to chastise commentators for making the odd mistake. Its motorsport, a fast paced, action packed (or supposed to be) sport, commentators are required to be quick thinkers and talkers, mistakes will happen, they are only human. I never understood the mini-witch hunt against Murray Walker for the same reason, they are human, humans make mistakes.

And in the case of Murray, usually quite funny as well.

Mick

[foreversideways]

Well the other question is, will Martin and his colleges be able to keep straight faces at the next GP after the "Recent Revelations", detailed on another thread

[P38 in workshop]

Will anybody keep a straight face?

[Burnsie]

Before FOM removed it, there was an excellent video on YouTube which compared ITV's commentary of Robert Kubica's Montréal crash with an American broadcaster's commentary. From the moment the live pictures came onto the screen until shortly after the car had come to rest, Martin Brundle had told us the corner, the car, the driver, the probable speed of impact, as well as a point or two about the visible damage to the car and the fact that a safety car would be required. By comparison, in the same space of time, the American had managed to tell his viewers which team the car belonged to - nothing more. Well, except for some "woah" and "aw jeez" remarks. Brundle is an exceptionally good 'co-commentator'/analyst, and I will be genuinely disappointed if he doesn't remain in the commentary box for BBC next year.

[Smurfer]

Originally Posted by safc_fan89

"The ITV coverage was very good and made me appreciate it's lack of bias and fairness to all the drivers."

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Dito.

[mjstallard]

Whilst his commentary is still top notch, does anyone else feel that his gridwalks aren't quite what they used to be? No one of any consequence ever really wants to chat to him anymore and I do recall talking with someone in the chat room during the Aussie GP who were watching Speed who got a whole host of drivers whilst we got Dannii Minogue...

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by mjstallard

does anyone else feel that his gridwalks aren't quite what they used to be?

I'd imagine that Martin has got bored of asking the same drivers the same questions. Lewis and Kimi have both refused to speak whilst on the grid, Michael had an exclusive contract with a German TV station when he was driving, just to name but a few. Problem is, he only has a certain amount of time on the grid, and he can either be at the front or the back of the grid, and usually the same drivers are at the front/back.