UNIMAGINABLE: Former F1 Driver and TV Pundit Handed Six-Month Driving Ban for… Read more
Former F1 Driver and TV Pundit Handed Six-Month Driving Ban for Sp
Former Formula 1 driver and television pundit Mark Blundell has been banned from driving for six months after being caught travelling well over the speed limit on a Northamptonshire A-road. The 59-year-old, who made a name for himself in the 1990s racing for several top teams, was clocked driving at 96 miles per hour in a 70mph zone — a breach that led to the suspension of his licence and a financial penalty exceeding £1,000.
Blundell, a familiar face in British motorsport, competed in Formula 1 between 1991 and 1995. Over his five-year stint in the sport, he made 61 race starts for Brabham, Tyrrell, and McLaren, securing three podium finishes. Though he never won a Formula 1 race, Blundell earned widespread respect for his skill, consistency, and determination against some of the toughest competitors of his era.
His racing career extended beyond Formula 1, where he enjoyed notable success in endurance racing. In 1992, Blundell achieved one of the greatest triumphs of his career when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving a Peugeot 905 Evo 1B. Teaming up with fellow Briton Derek Warwick and Frenchman Yannick Dalmas, the trio dominated the race to give Peugeot a memorable victory in the world’s most prestigious endurance event.
After hanging up his racing helmet, Blundell smoothly transitioned into a career in broadcasting. In 2002, he joined ITV’s Formula 1 coverage team as a pundit and analyst, providing insights and commentary throughout the season. His straightforward analysis and extensive racing experience made him a respected voice among motorsport fans. He remained with ITV until 2008, when the BBC acquired the rights to F1 broadcasting in the UK. Since then, Blundell has stayed active in motorsport circles, working as a driver manager and occasionally appearing as a commentator and speaker.
However, the veteran racer found himself on the wrong side of the law following a speeding incident late last year. According to a report by the Northampton Chronicle, Blundell was recorded driving at 96mph on the A14 Cold Ashby near Junction 1 Overbridge in Northamptonshire on November 30, 2024. The vehicle in question was reported to be a Land Rover, and the speed exceeded the legal limit by 26 miles per hour.
The case was heard at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on October 8, 2025, though Blundell did not personally attend the proceedings. Instead, his barrister entered a guilty plea on his behalf. The court was told that Blundell fully admitted to exceeding the 70mph speed limit and accepted responsibility for his actions.
In addition to the six-month driving ban, the former F1 driver was handed five penalty points on his driving licence. The court also ordered him to pay a combined sum of £1,042, covering fines, legal costs, and a victim surcharge.
The ruling serves as a reminder that even seasoned professional drivers are not exempt from road traffic laws. Despite his extensive experience behind the wheel — spanning decades of high-speed racing at the world’s most demanding circuits — Blundell now joins a list of former racing professionals who have faced legal consequences for speeding on public roads.
The court’s decision is expected to temporarily limit his mobility, though it is unlikely to significantly impact his ongoing professional commitments. In recent years, Blundell has focused primarily on management roles, including running MB Partners, a sports management agency that represents athletes across various motorsport categories.
Blundell has yet to make any public comment regarding the court ruling or his driving suspension. Nonetheless, the incident has drawn attention among motorsport fans who recall his decorated career and post-racing media work.
While his time on the track was defined by speed, precision, and control, this latest episode underscores the importance of observing road limits — a message even veteran drivers like Mark Blundell can’t afford to overlook.
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