Martin Brundle recalls criticism for joining Sky F1 as broadcaster secures rights until 2034

Martin Brundle says he “took a bit of stick” for leaving the BBC to join Sky Sports’ new dedicated Formula 1 channel in 2012, but he now sees the move as fully vindicated after Sky F1 secured a multi-year contract extension that will keep live F1 coverage in the UK and Ireland until at least 2034.

Why it matters:

Sky’s long-term commitment reshaped F1 broadcasting in the UK, moving from free-to-air to a subscription model and setting a precedent for dedicated sport channels. Brundle’s early leap of faith proved pivotal as Sky F1 became the sport’s primary home for over two decades.

The details:

• Sky’s new deal means it will have held exclusive live F1 rights for 22 consecutive years by 2034, a stretch unmatched in British motorsport broadcasting.
• Brundle’s move: He was one of several high-profile BBC F1 staff — including David Croft, Anthony Davidson, Ted Kravitz, and Natalie Pinkham — to join Sky ahead of the 2012 season.
• Why he took the risk: “As soon as they told me they were going to do a dedicated Sky F1 channel, I thought: ‘Right, this is serious. I need to be part of this.’”
• His broadcasting journey: Brundle, a nine-time podium finisher in F1, began commentary with ITV in 1997, moved to BBC in 2009, then to Sky. He received an OBE in 2025 for services to motor racing and sports broadcasting.
• Audience focus: Brundle emphasised the responsibility to viewers: “They’ve got to trust us… we’ve got to tell them the story as we see it.”

What's next:

With Sky’s rights locked through 2034 and the 2026 F1 season marking 30 years since Brundle’s last race, his role as a lead analyst remains central. The broadcaster plans to continue its extensive coverage across live races, digital content, and podcasts, keeping the paddock connected with fans worldwide.