F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Brundle: Hamilton 'not as approachable' as he used to be

Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle says he is "confused" by Lewis Hamilton's demeanor during interviews, feeling the F1 isn't as "approachable" as he used to be.

The former F1 driver has enjoyed many one-on-one interviews with Hamilton over the years. But Brundle has sensed a change recently in the seven-time world champion's disposition, although the Sky F1 commentator admitted that his favourite driver is perhaps growing weary of his off-track duties after 14 years in the sport.

"He is not as approachable as he used to be but he is a global megastar and he is a little bit fatigued by all the demands we have to make on him," Brundle told PA Sport.

"I don’t always feel good when I sit down to interview him. I sometimes feel like saying ‘hey, Lewis, it’s me, we have made a lot of TV together over the years and we have known each other for a long time’.

"I get confused by his initial demeanour. Then I find that he settles down and off we go.

"But who have I had the most enjoyment commentating on? Lewis. Watching him from the first corner of his first lap in Melbourne to winning seven World Championships last year in Turkey has been extraordinary."

As Hamilton heads into his 15th year at the pinnacle of motorsport, Brundle will begin his 25th season in the commentary box, a lengthy career that started with ITV in 1997, passed through the BBC from 2009 to 2011, and has continued since 2012 with Sky Sports.

"I feel lucky I have lasted this long," said the 62-year-old.

"I have always expected a Jenson Button or a David Coulthard or a Mark Webber to come and blow me out of the water, but I’m not sure they are ready to commit to a full season and commit to it the way I do.

"I have just signed a new long-term contract with Sky and it never occurred to me that they will say no, but one day they will.

"I feel slightly shocked and slightly terrified that this is my 25th season but what would Lewis Hamilton say? I feel blessed."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Prost: ‘Very difficult’ for Renault to return to F1 in the future

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost has suggested the sport may have seen the…

5 hours ago

Ocon: Haas’ expanded partnership with Toyota is ‘fantastic’ for 2026

Esteban Ocon is brimming with optimism about Haas’ future – and a big part of…

7 hours ago

Norris looks ahead to 2026: ‘I would love to race Lewis more’

Fresh from clinching his maiden Formula 1 world championship last weekend in Abu Dhabi, Lando…

8 hours ago

Herta offers feedback on first official F2 test in Abu Dhabi

Cadillac F1 reserve driver Colton Herta made a strong start to his preparations for the…

9 hours ago

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Born on this day in 1909

On this day in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana was finally completed. The…

11 hours ago

‘Dirty games were played’: Marko exposes Horner’s lies at Red Bull

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where alliances shift faster than a pit stop…

12 hours ago