Fans braved the rain to watch a live question and answer session with Alex and Martin Brundle at Silverstone – and now you can do the same without getting wet!
The father and son duo took to the stage during a Friday that was blighted by heavy downpours at The Classic 2021: Silverstone. But the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of supporters who enjoyed listening to two motorsport experts during a three-day celebration of historic racing and iconic cars.
Alex took his dad on a trip down memory lane and the pair talked plenty of Formula 1 before the floor was opened up to take questions from punters who refused to be put off by the conditions.
Will Martin Brundle’s F1 grid walk ever return?
Martin, a former F1 driver who has enjoyed a 25-year career covering the sport on TV, remains a much-loved co-commentator and pundit on Sky Sports.
His pre-race grid walk interviews became a hugely popular part of a Grand Prix weekend but they have been shelved as a result of the pandemic’s restrictions. And the 62-year-old admits he doesn’t expect them to return even as some country’s restrictions start to ease.
“It’s all changed because now we’ve got the national anthem and other procedures on the grid,” said Brundle senior.
“I don’t think the drivers will want to go back, if they can help it, to being interviewed on the grid. They’ve quite enjoyed less corporate work, less media work and certainly less people like me rocking up as they’re trying to think about a grand prix. I think there’ll be a few people, like Lando (Norris) and George (Russell) who seem very keen to have a chat, they’re very generous. But I’ve got a feeling the grid walk as I know it, I started in 1997, I think it’s kind of over because the timings are wrong now.
“I used to talk to the drivers on the grid but now, especially on a long lap like Spa, it takes them a long time to get to the grid, then they go off to the bathroom and then they run to the ́front for the national anthem. I think the grid walk is past its best if I’m honest, I regret to say.”
Crowds braved the rain to watch Alex and Martin Brundle at Silverstone.
Alex Brundle gives insight on F1 cars’ power units
Alex, a globally recognised endurance racer, commentates on Formula 2 and Formula 3 action and can be seen on F1 TV.
He gave plenty of valuable insight, as well as compéring the event, and discussed the current cars ahead of 2022’s regulation changes.
“I actually feel that the power units are a little bit too complicated at the moment,” said Brundle junior.
“Yes, we’ve got to have an element of hybridisation, it’s the way the world is going, but of course the complexity of the power unit dominates the wheel base in many ways. When you look at the power units the way they are, and of course there are aerodynamic benefits as you see with the Mercedes which has the longest wheel base on the grid at the moment.
“But I think there’s a lot to be said for simplification of F1 cars. Although OEMs and manufacturers want to demonstrate their competence in developing a power unit, the show would benefit from having simpler, lighter cars to race more aggressively wheel-to-wheel.”
Richard Bradley, right, and Gavin Caney during their Flux Presents Q&A session on our stand at The Classic 2021: Silverstone
More talking, racing and Flux Presents fun at Silverstone
The friendly banter, and plenty of informed opinion, continued during the event which saw Alex quiz his dad on all manner of memories.
From his first visit in 1965 to his maiden race at the home of British motorsport in 1977, Brundle junior and senior had plenty to say about Silverstone and their many other experiences of being a racing driver.
One followed after their Q&A when they teamed up together on the Sunday to compete in the coveted 60th anniversary E-type Challenge. The pair finished eighth with 10 minutes still left on the clock in a red-flagged session.
Alex had enjoyed some more historic racing success 24 hours’ earlier in the Lola T70 by teaming up with Gary Pearson in the Yokohama Trophy for Masters Historic Sports Cars. They fell agonisingly short of a podium position in the Jaguar Lister Knobbly in the MRL Royal Automobile Club Woodcote & Stirling Moss Trophies.
The Brundles weren’t the only people to take to the Flux stand over the weekend. Q&A sessions were also held on our stand on the Saturday with modern sports car racer Richard Bradley, the godfather of Formula Junior Duncan Rabagliati, British F3 talent Ayrton Simmons and engineering genius Ray Mallock.
They individually joined Gavin Caney – who has hosted previous BTCC-based Flux Presents events at Oulton Park, Snetterton and a speedway evening at the Adrian Flux Arena – to share their views and insight into the world of motorsport.
Martin and Alex teamed up to race a Jaguar E-type at Silverstone
Can I get insurance for my classic car?
You might not have been lucky enough to drive one of the cars that Alex and his dad Martin did at Silverstone, but there were plenty of other classics on show that you may own.
However old, treasured or valued your vehicle is, Adrian Flux can tailor a policy that will give you classic car insurance that your pride and joy deserves.
