Martin Brundle Cuts 2026 F1 Workload to 16 Races

Veteran Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle has confirmed a reduced workload for the 2026 season, limiting his on-site appearances to 16 of the 22 scheduled grands prix. The 66-year-old broadcaster, a fixture on Sky Sports F1 coverage since 2012, shared the details during an appearance on The F1 Show podcast, explaining that the adjustment allows him to manage the demanding travel and time zone challenges of the expanded calendar.

Brundle kicked off the year at the Australian Grand Prix in March but was absent for the subsequent rounds in China and Japan, where fans noticed the absence of his signature pre-race grid walks. He attributed the misses primarily to races starting in the early morning hours from a European perspective, which complicate his schedule. "I do 16 races a year, so I have to miss some, and they tend to be the early hours of the morning races," Brundle said. He expressed particular regret over skipping Suzuka, a track he holds dear from his driving days. "But I always feel a bit sad when I'm not in Suzuka because I love that track as a driver and as a broadcaster, but I can't do them all these days."

The reduction marks a step down from the 18 races he...