Martin Brundle back at Le Mans next year
Discussion
Martin Brundle and his son Alex will be driving a Nissan powered prototype in next years Le Mans 24 hour race.
''Martin and Alex to drive Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport Zytek
Ex-Formula One driver, Martin Brundle, will join his son Alex at the wheel of the Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport LMP2 prototype at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 16-17).
The deal sees Brundle senior reunited with Nissan, after the Englishman spearheaded its official works effort at the world's oldest and most celebrated endurance race in 1997 with the R390 GT1.
For 2012, the father and son combination will pilot the race-winning Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan sports prototype. Not only did the car take the LMP2 class win at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans* on its way to finishing eighth overall, but victories at Le Castellet, Imola and Silverstone also saw the Nissan-engined LMP2 car capture both the 2011 Le Mans Series drivers' and team titles.
After enjoying a successful Formula One career that spanned 13 years (1984-96), Martin Brundle has remained in the sport as a highly-regarded and multi award-winning commentator on British television.
Joining him in the driver's line-up for the 80th running of the race will be his 21-year old son Alex.
As the leading British driver in this year's Formula Two Championship, he will join Greaves Motorsport in 2012 to race the Nissan-powered prototype as the team defends its Le Mans Series crown.
The Brundles will follow in the footsteps of a small number of father-son combinations to have competed at the illustrious race together, including Mario Andretti, with son Michael, and Nigel Mansell with sons Leo and Greg.
Martin Brundle, 52, said: "I'm very much looking forward to returning to the Le Mans 24 Hour race with Nissan and the Greaves Motorsport LMP2 team. This is an unexpected pleasure, heightened by the fact I will be team-mates with my son. I'm eagerly anticipating a very special feeling when handing the car over to Alex during one of the world's greatest motor races. Class victory in front of the fanatical Le Mans spectators is the goal."
Alex Brundle, 21, added: "I loved driving the Le Mans circuit at this year's official test day and a chance to compete in the full Le Mans Series, as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours, along with my single-seater activities in 2012 is brilliant for my career. At Le Mans, my father has been on pole position, led many times and been part of the winning team; this can fast-track my learning process. My thanks go to Nissan and Greaves Motorsport for creating this important opportunity, which I will seize and maximise."
Simon Sproule, Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications, Nissan, said: "I'm delighted that Nissan will once again be part of one of motorsport's most famous races, this time with a fascinating father-son pairing. We will again seek to provide a reliable and powerful engine for Martin and Alex and for Greaves Motorsport to follow up on the success we've enjoyed in 2011. Martin has won at every level of endurance racing, while Alex's strong testing performances at Paul Ricard and Le Mans reflect his natural talent and the experience he already holds at 21."
''Martin and Alex to drive Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport Zytek
Ex-Formula One driver, Martin Brundle, will join his son Alex at the wheel of the Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport LMP2 prototype at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 16-17).
The deal sees Brundle senior reunited with Nissan, after the Englishman spearheaded its official works effort at the world's oldest and most celebrated endurance race in 1997 with the R390 GT1.
For 2012, the father and son combination will pilot the race-winning Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan sports prototype. Not only did the car take the LMP2 class win at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans* on its way to finishing eighth overall, but victories at Le Castellet, Imola and Silverstone also saw the Nissan-engined LMP2 car capture both the 2011 Le Mans Series drivers' and team titles.
After enjoying a successful Formula One career that spanned 13 years (1984-96), Martin Brundle has remained in the sport as a highly-regarded and multi award-winning commentator on British television.
Joining him in the driver's line-up for the 80th running of the race will be his 21-year old son Alex.
As the leading British driver in this year's Formula Two Championship, he will join Greaves Motorsport in 2012 to race the Nissan-powered prototype as the team defends its Le Mans Series crown.
The Brundles will follow in the footsteps of a small number of father-son combinations to have competed at the illustrious race together, including Mario Andretti, with son Michael, and Nigel Mansell with sons Leo and Greg.
Martin Brundle, 52, said: "I'm very much looking forward to returning to the Le Mans 24 Hour race with Nissan and the Greaves Motorsport LMP2 team. This is an unexpected pleasure, heightened by the fact I will be team-mates with my son. I'm eagerly anticipating a very special feeling when handing the car over to Alex during one of the world's greatest motor races. Class victory in front of the fanatical Le Mans spectators is the goal."
Alex Brundle, 21, added: "I loved driving the Le Mans circuit at this year's official test day and a chance to compete in the full Le Mans Series, as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours, along with my single-seater activities in 2012 is brilliant for my career. At Le Mans, my father has been on pole position, led many times and been part of the winning team; this can fast-track my learning process. My thanks go to Nissan and Greaves Motorsport for creating this important opportunity, which I will seize and maximise."
Simon Sproule, Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications, Nissan, said: "I'm delighted that Nissan will once again be part of one of motorsport's most famous races, this time with a fascinating father-son pairing. We will again seek to provide a reliable and powerful engine for Martin and Alex and for Greaves Motorsport to follow up on the success we've enjoyed in 2011. Martin has won at every level of endurance racing, while Alex's strong testing performances at Paul Ricard and Le Mans reflect his natural talent and the experience he already holds at 21."
Life Saab Itch said:
Alex has a lot of natural ability. He will do well if he has learnt how to regulate between driving at 95% and over 100%.
If he's got that sorted, they'll do fine.
Who's going to be the 3rd driver? Blundell?
2006 - 21st in FPA / 8th in T CarIf he's got that sorted, they'll do fine.
Who's going to be the 3rd driver? Blundell?
2007 - 11th in FPA
2008 - 6th in FPA
2009 - 19th in F2
2010 - 17th in F3
2011 - 7th in F2
Not exactly a stellar career, has he even won a motor race ever??????
Giles240 said:
2006 - 21st in FPA / 8th in T Car
2007 - 11th in FPA
2008 - 6th in FPA
2009 - 19th in F2
2010 - 17th in F3
2011 - 7th in F2
Not exactly a stellar career, has he even won a motor race ever??????
Hence my point about being able to regulate between 95% and over 100%2007 - 11th in FPA
2008 - 6th in FPA
2009 - 19th in F2
2010 - 17th in F3
2011 - 7th in F2
Not exactly a stellar career, has he even won a motor race ever??????
Alex has struggled with this in the past and has binned it more times than was neccessary, but hopefully he's learn't from it.
Let's face it, he's got a fecking good teacher in his old man.
Life Saab Itch said:
Hence my point about being able to regulate between 95% and over 100%
Alex has struggled with this in the past and has binned it more times than was neccessary, but hopefully he's learn't from it.
Let's face it, he's got a fecking good teacher in his old man.
So did Mathias Lauda....Alex has struggled with this in the past and has binned it more times than was neccessary, but hopefully he's learn't from it.
Let's face it, he's got a fecking good teacher in his old man.
weyland yutani said:
Mansell drove the Le Mans 24 Minutes unfortunately. Shame Brundle isnt driving a LMP1 or GT2, LMP2 is the least interesting class imo.
LMP2 looks even better next year, there is already plenty of good WEC entries confirmed. Its not all about Audi vs Pug! Blundell isn't too shabby in a sports car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ECE3oT-Z8&fea...
robmlufc said:
weyland yutani said:
Mansell drove the Le Mans 24 Minutes unfortunately. Shame Brundle isnt driving a LMP1 or GT2, LMP2 is the least interesting class imo.
LMP2 looks even better next year, there is already plenty of good WEC entries confirmed. Its not all about Audi vs Pug! Blundell isn't too shabby in a sports car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ECE3oT-Z8&fea...
Life Saab Itch said:
Hence my point about being able to regulate between 95% and over 100%
Alex has struggled with this in the past and has binned it more times than was neccessary, but hopefully he's learn't from it.
Let's face it, he's got a fecking good teacher in his old man.
If he could lose his attitude and ego he'd gain 1/2 a second with that weight reduction alone.Alex has struggled with this in the past and has binned it more times than was neccessary, but hopefully he's learn't from it.
Let's face it, he's got a fecking good teacher in his old man.
Seen a lot of AB's racing and have to say I anm deeply unmoved by it - there are a lot of faster drivers out there who don't throw it at the scenery every time they are under pressure. He and his dad both did an FPA round at Spa and, despite the fact Alex had been racing them for half a season, Martin was having to hold back rather than make the boy blunder look a touch silly.
As you may have guessed I am not a fan.
head wants highlights? Highlights are for children and morons IMVHO.Rude-boy said:
If he could lose his attitude and ego he'd gain 1/2 a second with that weight reduction alone.
Seen a lot of AB's racing and have to say I anm deeply unmoved by it - there are a lot of faster drivers out there who don't throw it at the scenery every time they are under pressure. He and his dad both did an FPA round at Spa and, despite the fact Alex had been racing them for half a season, Martin was having to hold back rather than make the boy blunder look a touch silly.
As you may have guessed I am not a fan.
He says the right stuff though, "My thanks go to Nissan and Greaves Motorsport for creating this important opportunity, which I will seize and maimise."Seen a lot of AB's racing and have to say I anm deeply unmoved by it - there are a lot of faster drivers out there who don't throw it at the scenery every time they are under pressure. He and his dad both did an FPA round at Spa and, despite the fact Alex had been racing them for half a season, Martin was having to hold back rather than make the boy blunder look a touch silly.
As you may have guessed I am not a fan.
I'm going to make sure I use that in a meeting today.
Forums | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff