86. Martin Brundle

Martin Brundle is a British former Formula One driver and one of motorsport’s most respected broadcasters. Competing in F1 between 1984 and 1996, Brundle earned a reputation for his skill, resilience, and sharp racecraft. Beyond F1, he made his mark in endurance racing, winning the World Sportscar Championship and the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1988, and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990 — all with Jaguar.

Born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Brundle began racing at just 12 years old in a self-built Ford Anglia on grass tracks. He later moved into Hot Rods and the British Saloon Car Championship before stepping up to British Formula Three in 1982. In 1983, he famously battled Ayrton Senna for the title, ultimately finishing second. Both drivers debuted in F1 the following year.

Brundle joined the Tyrrell team in 1984, impressing early with a fifth-place finish in Brazil. Although later disqualified from that season due to technical issues with the Tyrrell 012, he bounced back to score his first official points in 1986. After a challenging year with Zakspeed in 1987, he found major success with Jaguar in sportscar racing.

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Returning to F1 in 1989, Brundle drove for Brabham and later partnered with Michael Schumacher at Benetton in 1992, securing five podiums and finishing sixth in the championship — his career best. Over the next few seasons, he drove for Ligier, McLaren, and finally Jordan, wrapping up his F1 career with nine podiums across 158 races.

Post-retirement, Brundle transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting. His insightful commentary has featured on ITV, the BBC, and Sky Sports F1, making him a beloved figure among fans. He even tried his hand at rallying in the 1999 Rally of Great Britain.

Brundle’s legacy continues through his son Alex, a successful endurance racer. In recognition of his contributions to motorsport, Martin Brundle was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours.