It makes me sad every day to report negative news about Formula 1, especially when trying to reflect the views and opinions of the majority of fans and pundits I have polled and observed across social media and serious independent platforms like ours.I have always viewed Sky Sports as something of the ‘Fox News’ of Formula 1. Not quite the mouthpiece of FOM, but certainly its cheerleader. We saw that clearly in British media biased and malicious reporting in the aftermath of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
And separately against no-angel Mohammed Ben Sulayem when he takes on FOM or self-appointed holy grails in the sport, where things got nasty and exposed just how dirty the politics can get, with Sky F1 leading the charge. But that is not what this piece is about.
This is about Martin Brundle.
Brundle is someone I respect, particularly for that remarkable season in 1983 British Formula 3, one of the greatest in motorsport history. He was beaten by my hero, Ayrton Senna, to the title, at a time when winning Formula 3 was effectively a ticket to Formula 1, which both secured the following year.
While their trajectories diverged, Senna shot to stardom that season with Toleman in 1984, while Brundle suffered a terrible accident that nearly cost him his left foot. That said, considering those circumstances, his victory at Le Mans commands immense respect from me. If you win Le Mans, you are a serious driver.
As a pundit, Brundle has earned his place. He will be more famous for his punditry than his F1 achievements, that’s how good he is. Influenced in part by Jad Mallak, who holds him in high regard, I, too, respect his analysis and am a huge fan of his son, Alex Brundle’s commentary.
In fact, I will add that the English-language commentary crown of legend, Murray Walker, sits on Brundle’s head. The voice of modern Formula 1.
Disrespecting a Formula 1 World Champion is sacrilege
 Brundle has always positioned himself as a purist of racing. He has a clear underlying passion for pure racing. Which is why it is so disappointing to see him align himself with the spin surrounding these current regulations and present this version of Formula 1 as acceptable for the next five years.
If you consider Formula 1 a religion, as I do, then standing on the sidelines and grilling Max Verstappen, one of the sport’s greatest talents and a driver universally respected within the paddock, is unacceptable. Sacriligious. In the hierarchy of motorsport greatness, Verstappen is well ahead of Brundle and deserves to be respected by his peers.
Furthermore, Max is driving these awkward cars. Brundle cannot look at what we witnessed at the Japanese Grand Prix and tell us this is a Formula 1 we love, or should love. If he truly believes that, then he should step aside, and they should DNF him right now. He is senile.
Or, Brundle got the memo that was sent to Juan Pablo Montoya. Shill this sh!t. And like Duracell bunnies they are clapping their hands at this! Unacceptable. Having driven the cars they drove, knowing what the ethos of F1 is all about better than most, for them to sit comfortably in TV studios and dismiss the very real and valid concerns of the current World Champion is offensive.
It is as offensive as watching Montoya, once admired for his honesty and no-nonsense approach, flip into a spokesperson for the system and regurgitate this FOM-slop. I was outraged when I witnessed his fall earlier this season, and I said so at the time.Â
Shame on Brundle and Montoya for selling out
To see someone once respected for straight talking become part of the narrative is deeply disappointing and disturbing. In the context of the elite control culture permeating the globe. Force-feeding society what society does not want or need.
And worst of all, pushing a narrative while stifling free speech critical of this mess they have delivered to the Formula 1 fanbase. I was shocked. I processed it, and then I got angry.
Martin Brundle and Juan Pablo Montoya, you are both wrong and you know it. You are both out of line. Formula 1 does not need you at all and will not be the poorer if we never here from you again, there are many talking heads to replace you. But there is only Max Verstappen.
Finally, for all of you who think that when Max Verstappen departs Formula 1, it won’t make a difference. It will shatter your heart, just like it did mine and many others when Ayrton Senna departed. That void took years to fill.
Ditto Michael Schumacher. I was no fan, but one of the greatest he was. I even felt a sense of loss as did the rest of the Formula 1 world, when Ferrari pushed him into retirement. That’s why we celebrated when he returned. I also miss Sebastian Vettel; when he departed, it was time, but there was a gap.
Imagine when Lewis Hamilton goes. Or Fernando Alonso finally hangs up his helmet. Or when Max Verstappen walks. You think it will make no difference to Formula 1? You are wrong and racing is not in your blood.