But back in 2007 he didn’t always get the respect he deservedCredit: F1
Yet it was pre-race where the drama began, when Brundle encountered a jobsworth employee.
The former McLaren and Williams driver has been trundling up and down the grid since he retired at the turn of the millennium, tackling the world’s biggest celebrities.
But in October 2007, it was an unknown man in a beige shirt who ran out of nowhere to cut off the pundit.
“It’s OK they’re expecting us down there,” Brundle said as the man flew into shot.
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“I don’t care, it’s been discussed,” Brundle said as he wasn’t allowed to pass. “We just want a quick word with Jenson [Button].”
Realising he wasn’t getting anywhere with the employ shaking his head and his arms outstretched, he contested: “What’s the time? It’s not ten to, it’s not ten to the hour, you can’t do that, we have to get off the grid at ten to.
“You’ve got a job to do, I’ve got a job to do, we’ve got Keanu Reeves down there, Jenson Button, and millions of people who want to know what he thinks.”
Perhaps realising he was in the wrong, or just getting bored, the beige shirted man stepped aside, only for another in a white bib to guide him and then stop him in a matter of metres.
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Turning back to the camera, it was the end of one of Brundle’s more awkward gridwalks, but one that summed up why he’s so loved in Formula 1.
“Good try Martin, just the kind of situation where he needed Keanu Reeves there,” host Steve Rider added.
Out of nowhere came an employee to block of Brundle
Out of nowhere came an employee to block of BrundleCredit: F1
Brundle reminded him of the time rules
Brundle reminded him of the time rulesCredit: F1
And eventually got his own way
The race went on to be the most consequential of the season as Hamilton beached his McLaren coming into the pits on tyres that were worn down to the canvas.
A 12-point title lead evaporated as Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen won, and another victory in the finale for the Finn gave him the title over Hamilton.
The Brit would get revenge the following season with his first of seven championships, while future teammate Jenson Button grabbed the next one.
Perhaps coincidentally – or not – it was one that brought Reeves back into the sport.
Button’s miraculous title win in 2009 with a Brawn GP team that was bought for just £1 later became the subject of a documentary by Reeves into F1’s most shocking ever title winner.
Reeves and Button paired up together to go through the story, and this time Brundle wasn’t blocked off from talking to them.
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