Martin Brundle has named talking to Mika Hakkinen earlier than one among his F1 championship victories as his “peak” grid stroll second.
Because the late Nineteen Nineties, Brundle’s grid stroll has been synonymous with followers and viewers all over the world.
The Brit usually speaks to drivers and quite a few celebrities on the grid earlier than the nationwide anthem.
Brundle continues to do his notorious grid walks in 2024 for Sky Sports activities in the UK.
Talking just lately on the Sky F1 podcast, Brundle mirrored on his lengthy profession in broadcasting, particularly his grid walks.
Brundle named talking to Hakkinen as his “peak” second on the grid.
Hakkinen received each of his F1 titles at Suzuka towards Michael Schumacher (1998) and Eddie Irvine (1999) respectively.
“I might at all times begin with the drivers in that respect,” he mentioned.
“Speaking to Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen. We had an amusing occasion in Brazil as soon as. Maybe the height for me was entrance of the grid, Suzuka, Mika Hakkinen is on pole. He’s bought an opportunity of successful the world championship. And he’s simply placing his balaclava on as I get there.
“We had been teammates at McLaren, know one another properly, nonetheless very a lot do, and he checked out me as a lot to say ‘Come on Martin’. So I simply mentioned to him ‘Mika, are you able to win the world championship at this time?’. ‘Sure I can’.
“Down goes the balaclava, on goes the helmet, will get within the automotive and wins the world championship.
“For me that’s distinctive broadcasting alternative, content material. Which different sport are you able to do this in?”
