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Martin to race against son in Formula Palmer Audi at
Spa-Francorchamps
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For one weekend only, ex-Formula 1
driver and current ITV F1 commentator Martin Brundle will return to professional
motor racing – to compete against his son, Alex, in the Formula Palmer Audi
Championship at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend (16/17/18
May).
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Martin’s Formula Palmer Audi
appearance will be his first major competitive outing since 2001. He will line
up alongside FPA’s 21 regular drivers, including his son Alex, one of this
season’s championship frontrunners. Alex currently lies fourth in the standings
following his maiden FPA pole position and third podium finish this season at
Brands Hatch two weeks
ago.
Martin Brundle
said: “Racing in the
Formula Palmer Audi Championship this weekend is an early 49th
birthday present to myself. Who would pass up the chance to race at Spa? It’s
a great circuit and a unique opportunity for me to compete against my
son.”
“It will be
interesting to see how much speed I still
have,” Martin
concluded. “'Having seen some
of the determined moves so far this season by the regular young hot shoes, I
will have to be on my best form in
traffic!”
Although Martin has greater
knowledge of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit from his 12 years competing in
Formula 1, Alex has the advantage in terms of raw pace. The two went
head-to-head in an FPA car earlier this season in a four-way shootout with
Formula Palmer Audi Series Director Jonathan Palmer and his son Jolyon at
Bedford Autodrome. On that occasion, Alex emerged victorious – beating Martin
by 0.3
seconds*.
Alex Brundle said:
“This is a great
chance to race against my Dad, as long as he doesn’t get in my way! My aim this
season is to win the FPA Championship, so my main focus at Spa will be to score
points. Having my father competing should be helpful, as he will be able to
give me advice on the circuit and the handling of the
car.”
FPA Series Director, Jonathan
Palmer, is delighted that Martin is joining the grid this weekend: "I think it’s fantastic that Martin is having a
go. Since stopping F1 racing he has kept testing various top level cars, mainly
for his ITV F1 work, but I really admire Martin for proving his love of simply
driving racing cars and being prepared to pit himself against the young chargers
in FPA, all of whom are fighting to make F1."
"No question he’s still very quick,"
Palmer added. "It will be interesting to get
feedback from someone who is clearly the most experienced and successful driver
to ever race an FPA car!"
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