Latest news with #Brundle
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Christian Horner Tipped For F1 Return in Bombshell Team Ownership Role
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula One driver and Sky Sports F1 reporter Martin Brundle has revealed that Christian Horner will likely return to the sport in a "part ownership or ownership role." Owning a team wholly or partly while leading it could offer Horner complete control, something he was reportedly seeking at Red Bull Racing. Horner was dropped from the role of CEO and team principal after the British Grand Prix for reasons that are yet to be revealed. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies was promoted to Red Bull to replace Horner. Horner's sudden exit after a 20-year association with Red Bull shocked the F1 world. However, Brundle believes that Red Bull's Verstappen-centric approach led to Horner's departure, especially since the team's current car of the ground effect era is reportedly designed around the four-time world champion. That could be one reason why none of Verstappen's three teammates in the last year has been able to adapt to Red Bull's challenger. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brundle said: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria."This is the crux of it, I think the mistake they've all made at Red Bull is allowing it to become a one-driver team. "The tail's wagged the dog there for quite a long time. They've had some what appears to be dreadful driver decisions that had some common sense upfront, when they put a driver in who was going well somewhere else." In addition, Horner's alleged desire to have full control of the team reportedly played against him. Brundle added: "All of that has played out and then Christian wanting to keep hold of the overall control of the direction in every aspect." Despite being a friend of Horner, Brundle said that the media didn't spare him when it needed answers. However, pointing out what F1 had lost, he said: "I don't agree with everything Christian said and done, nor him me. We have completely opposite jobs in this paddock. We've given him quite a hard time from time to time on a Friday in this show. "But we've lost a pantomime villain. I think that's really bad news for F1, because the other villains, like Zak and Toto have nobody to have a go at now. Christian's a friend of mine, and I don't do fair-weather friendships." Brundle then opened up about Horner's potential F1 return. He said: "I feel sorry for him, I feel bad for him, but I think he will re-emerge somewhere else in a part ownership role or ownership role." Could Horner come back as a co-owner with one of the teams on the grid? The former team boss has been linked to the Alpine F1 team, especially given his friendship with Alpine's executive advisor, Flavio Briatore. BBC Sport reported that around 20% of Alpine's shareholdings are up for sale, a potential option for Horner if he wanted to return as a co-owner. This could be possible, especially after the exit of former Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes. Although the Enstone-based team hired Steve Nielsen as managing director, who starts in September, Horner still has strong backing through his experience at Red Bull to demand a large amount of control at Alpine. Having ceased its engine operations, Alpine becomes a Mercedes customer team in 2026, when F1 enters a new era of regulations. However, it remains to be seen if Horner would be interested in co-owning a team strongly linked to Mercedes, whose team principal and co-owner, Toto Wolff, has been his arch-rival.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Martin Brundle in Ozzy Osbourne tribute at Belgian GP – 'My favourite grid walk guest'
Ozzy Osbourne made a memorable appearance on Martin Brundle's Formula 1 grid walk more than 20 years ago and the Sky Sports favourite paid tribute to the rocker on Sunday Martin Brundle began his grid walk at the Belgian Grand Prix with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The rock legend died last week, aged 76, less than three weeks after his farewell concert with his band Black Sabbath in Birmingham. Osbourne was loved by millions worldwide and also captured the hearts of Formula 1 fans many years ago with a memorable appearance on one of Brundle's pre-race grid walks. The broadcaster usually spends some time walking up and down the grid before a Grand Prix to speak with famous faces. A particularly memorable walk happened when Osbourne was a VIP guest at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Many reporters tried to speak with him but Brundle, working for ITV at the time, managed to get to the front of the queue – not that he could get much sense out of the rocker. And he had to cut the interview short when Osbourne swore unexpectedly, in an exchange which Brundle later reflected upon. The Brit said: "He wasn't fully with it, shall we say. I asked him a question and he gave me a very long, incomprehensible answer. "I said to him, 'I'll try and think of a question to that, but in the meantime how are the dogs?' And he said, 'They are at home s****** on the carpets.' It went out live to millions of people and I got in trouble because I was supposed to have known he would swear if I asked that question." That memorable moment resurfaced on social media in the days after Osbourne's death last week. And Brundle took the opportunity to say a few words about the departed music legend as he began his grid walk ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix at a rain-soaked Circuit Spa-Francorchamps. Speaking live on Sky Sports, the broadcaster said: "A quick word for probably my most favourite ever grid walk guest: Ozzy Osbourne. Condolences to your family and friends, we will miss you. Rest in peace I don't think quite fits for Ozzy Osbourne." While Osbourne may have landed Brundle in a bit of bother with his loose language, he did at least engage with the broadcaster, who has branded his grid walks in general as "car crash television". While many stars are happy to converse with the ex-F1 driver on the grid, some have notoriously snubbed him. Earlier this year, he told the Daily Mail: "The grid walk actually really annoys me because that's what I'm known for now. The whole thing is still a mystery. I won a lot of races as a driver and was on the F1 podium. I was World Sportscar Champion, winner at Le Mans, beat Ayrton Senna a lot of times in F3. "I was a reasonably handy racing driver and I'm a reasonably handy commentator but all I'm going to be remembered for is getting ignored on the grid by the Megan Thee Stallion and other people I'd never heard of until that moment. It's quite a funny thing but I can't knock it, heading towards 66, I'm lucky to still be in live sport and that's why I was pleased with the OBE because it wasn't an OBE just for grid-walking."
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Ozzy Osbourne's Hilarious F1 Interview With Brundle Resurfaces After His Death
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula One driver and presenter Martin Brundle's hilarious grid walk interview with Ozzy Osbourne from the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix has resurfaced online after Osbourne passed away on July 22nd in the UK. Osbourne was the lead singer of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath, whose battle with Parkinson's disease since 2019 was no secret. He performed with his band for the last time on July 5, marking the end of an era. A crowd of 40,000 fans watched him in Birmingham, with the concert raising £140 million (approximately $190 million), reportedly for charity. Brundle's grid walk interviews with celebrities have been unexpected at times, given the hustle and bustle on the grid just before a grand prix. A video of him approaching Osbourne on YouTube has had fans laughing and paying tribute to the late celebrity. The video shows Brundle trying to make his way through the crowd to reach Osbourne before calling him a "fruitcake." He said: British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada. British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada."I want to have a word with this guy because he's an utter fruitcake, as we all know, and we love watching him on TV." When Brundle does manage to reach him, he asks: "Ozzy, British TV. Good to see you here. "Sharon (Osbourne's wife) had some good news this week, I hear." Osbourne's reply was incomprehensible to Brundle, but he likely said: "I'm good in currently we're writing a musical about the life and times of Rasputin the mad monk, and we just got allowing it to go on Broadway." Brundle replied swiftly, "All right, I'll try and think of a question for that answer. Did you bring the dogs with you?" Osbourne replied: "No they're all at home "sh*tt*ng." Brundle smiled and walked away, saying: "Excellent, thank you very much. I think we'll move on now." Given Osbourne's replies, it is unclear if he was suffering with his well known health conditions or if he was having some fun with Brundle. Fans have reacted to the video, remembering Osbourne after his passing. Some comments are quoted below: A teary-eyed fan: "I'm going to miss him. RIP Ozzy <3" A fan's last tribute: "ALL HAIL THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS!!!! 🦇👑" This fan had an explanation: "Brundle wants to talk to Ozzy because he thinks Ozzy will make a fool of himself. Brundle asks about whats new. Ozzy tells about whats new. Brundle pretends to not have asked about whats new, then preceeds to make fun of Ozzy. Ozzy tells Brundle off in a slightly more polite way than he needs to. Brundle walks away, saying this wasnt very interesting." [sic] Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time.
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne's abandoned F1 grid walk interview and X-rated answer stunned Martin Brundle
F1 legend Martin Brundle got in trouble with TV bosses for what Ozzy Osbourne said to him during a brief but iconic grid walk interview at the Canadian Grand Prix Ozzy Osbourne provided Martin Brundle with one of his most memorable Formula 1 grid walk encounters. The iconic Black Sabbath frontman, who has died at the age of 76, wasn't particularly known for his passion for F1, but he did make an appearance at least once at a grand prix. The Birmingham-born rock legend was a VIP guest at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. He turned up on the grid before the race began, with reporters eager to speak to him. Brundle, the voice of ITV's F1 coverage at the time, positioned himself perfectly for an interview, only to find himself battling to extract anything sensible from the star. In a moment that has become legendary, Brundle quipped: "I'll try and think of a question to that answer." He was then forced to end the chat abruptly after Osbourne let slip a swear word on live television, which got Brundle into trouble with his superiors. Reflecting on the incident, Brundle once said: "He wasn't fully with it, shall we say. I asked him a question and he gave me a very long, incomprehensible answer. "I said to him, 'I'll try and think of a question to that, but in the meantime how are the dogs?' And he said, 'They are at home s****** on the carpets.' It went out live to millions of people and I got in trouble because I was supposed to have known he would swear if I asked that question." Osbourne did at least engage with Brundle, who has branded his grid walks in general as "car crash television". While many stars are happy to converse with the ex-F1 driver on the grid, some have notoriously snubbed him. Over two decades since that encounter, Sky Sports ' Brundle can look back with a sense of humour, though he'd rather be remembered for his racing career. Earlier this year, he told the Daily Mail:"The grid walk actually really annoys me because that's what I'm known for now. "The whole thing is still a mystery. I won a lot of races as a driver and was on the F1 podium. I was World Sportscar Champion, winner at Le Mans, beat Ayrton Senna a lot of times in F3. "I was a reasonably handy racing driver and I'm a reasonably handy commentator but all I'm going to be remembered for is getting ignored on the grid by the Megan Thee Stallion and other people I'd never heard of until that moment. "It's quite a funny thing but I can't knock it, heading towards 66, I'm lucky to still be in live sport and that's why I was pleased with the OBE because it wasn't an OBE just for grid-walking." Osbourne passed away just weeks after a reunion gig in Birmingham. The Prince of Darkness, who had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2019, died "with his family and surrounded by love". A family statement, issued on Tuesday, said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Martin Brundle reveals what Christian Horner has told him about Red Bull exit
Christian Horner has left his roles as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing after 20 years in charge of the team which has enjoyed great success in Formula 1 Christian Horner remains in the dark about the reason why he was relieved of his duties at Red Bull Racing. That's according to Martin Brundle who said he has exchanged messages with the famous Formula 1 chief since next broke of his exit from the team. Horner had served as the first and only team principal of Red Bull's top outfit in F1 since the energy drinks giant bought out Jaguar F1 in November 2004. But that long era came to an end on Wednesday when it was announced that he would no longer serve Red Bull as chief executive and team principal. He was seen driving out of the team's Milton Keynes base shortly before 11.30am, after being informed of his fate. And, speaking on Sky Sports, Brundle said he had been in touch with Horner who had suggested he was not given a specific reason why the change has been made. The Sky Sports broadcaster said: "I said to him, 'Can we have a chat before I have to go on TV', because I want to know more about it from his point of view, and he wasn't able to do that. What he did say to me was no reason was given to him as to why he's been released." Sign up to our free weekly F1 newsletter, Pit Lane Chronicle, by entering your email address below so that every new edition lands straight in your inbox! Horner is not the only senior figure understood to have left their roles. Director of communications and social media Paul Smith and group chief marketing and commercial officer Oliver Hughes are also said to have departed. Smith in particular was one of Horner's closest allies within the team, also serving as something of a personal PR representative of the team boss. Brundle said he was "quite sad" to hear of the news, adding: "I consider Christian a friend, and he's done an incredible job there for 20 years. Won an awful lot of races and World championships for drivers and for the team. "He took it from what was the Stewart team through Jaguar, and it was struggling, to a massive campus in Milton Keynes, and an awful lot of success and a huge trophy cabinet. But it's not been difficult to feel in the Formula 1 paddock, and to observe and to hear that things were not particularly rosy. "I believe it's probably performance-related as well. I think perhaps it makes it more likely that the Verstappens will stay there. I think that became quite personal, in some called it, 'Team Verstappen'. So I think there are a number of aspects, but particularly that the car is struggling. Although, they've won races this year, of course, they've won races brilliantly this year." Laurent Mekies will take over as chief executive of Red Bull Racing, moved over from his previous role as team principal at junior outfit Racing Bulls. "Nothing is forever. Things move on, and Red Bull have already put in place significant changes," Brundle added. "Laurent Mekies comes over from Racing Bulls, their junior team, sister team. Alan Permane takes over the reins there. They've very quickly put into place solutions. They're debuting their own engine for the first time next year, in what is going to be the biggest change in Formula 1 history of car and power unit at the same time. Christian has been in the seat and driving that aspect of the team along completely."
