Brundle ends driver management role
F1 racer turned TV commentator Martin Brundle is stepping back as a driver manager.
The 49-year-old, who was the retiring David Coulthard’s long time manager, had been involved in a driver management company with his broadcasting colleague and former teammate Mark Blundell.
The business, 2MB Sports Management, will now be run solely by fellow Grand Prix veteran Blundell, handling the careers of rising stars including McLaren test driver Gary Paffett.
While Blundell is not moving from the British broadcaster ITV to BBC’s F1 coverage in 2009, Brundle will continue to occupy the commentary booth this year, as well as oversee his son Alex’s graduation to the new Formula 2 series.
“I have decided to step back from all driver management in order to focus fully on my own career, and that of my son Alex,” Brundle said.
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Read more: Martin Brundle at BBC in 2009
So in effect he is ‘managing’ his son? Also, is MB still connected to the Cosworth one-make series he was promoting last year?
This has made me think. What exactly do the drivers managers do? What rewards do they get? What pressures are they under or face to secure deals for there drives. How did they get into the job, or how does one get into this kind of work? It might be interesting to do some manager profiles.
Good for Alex! I was a friend of his for some time at school 6 or 7 years ago but lost contact. I also set the alarm off on Martin’s car once… good times.
I feel that ‘managing’ his son will be somewhat more of a casual role than managing anyone else, from the very nature of their relationship. It’s also possible that Alex does in fact have a manager and that Martin will merely be a support for this, as is not made clear. But then, Chaz’s comment is quite important in this. It would be interesting to know what their role actually consists of throughout.
Keith, I have a question & thought I’d place it here as it’s about broadcasting. Do you know if the BBC intend to broadcast the F1 Races on BBC HD in addition to BBC1? I’m sure we would all like to know.
This article from a few days ago answers your question quite: