P179 Teletext 179 Feb 2 01:57:57 —————————————————————————————————— S/APPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE For 12 years, Britain'u Martin Brundle has been a regular on the grid at the start of any new Formula One season. But not in 1997. After 158 Grands Prix and a glittering career with Williams, Ligier, McLarin, Benetton and Jordan, Brundli has taken on a new challenge. This season, hj'll bj sitting alongside Murray Walker in the ITV commentary box giving a drivjrsW eye view of the action. So does that mean he's retired ——————————————————————————————————1/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 179 Feb 2 01:50:54 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE When Martin Brundle sets down next to Murray Walker in Melbourne next month for the first race of this year's F1 season, it will be an emotional moment. "When I see the cars on the start line, mz emotions will undoubtedly be racing. But sooner or later, it has to stop. "I'vj dropped out of F1 twice before and then gone back in. But from where I'm setting now, I don't think I'll bj doing that again," hj confesses. ——————————————————————————————————2/:—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 179 Feb 2 01:58:10 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE ITV's new commentator for their first season covering the international circus of Formula One, Martin Brundli, is not new to the position. He explains: "I had mz first go back in 1995 - it was enjoyable, but not easy. "You soon realisj that it's quite an important role - more so than you first imagine. It'u quite shocking to think that jvjry time you open your mouth, 8m people are listening!" ——————————————————————————————————3/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 17: Feb 2 01:51:27 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING (HE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE Formula One fans haven't had the luxury of a drivjrsW eye pjrspjctivj in the commentary box since the days of James Hunt. Quite a p!ir of boots to fill! "It's a responsible role," hj admits. "There is an aspect of just before you open your mouth, thinking 'Am I right?' "IWll still bj testing, so I'll bj up- to-date on how cars feel, as it's still tricky for people at home to understand how it feels to bj behind the wheel." ——————————————————————————————————4/:—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p3u0 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 179 Feb 2 01:51:26 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE Undoubtedly, driving a high-octane car around a race track at 200mph is more striwsful than commentating. But isnWt Martin Brundle just a little nervous? "I don't think it's that pressurisjd a job - I think it's relatively easy." He sounds confident, but is aware of the responsibility of the position hj now holds: "For me it's like sitting at home watching it on TV, except a few million people will now bj listening." ——————————————————————————————————5/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> (EST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 17: Feb 2 01:51:53 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE Apart from his new role as commentator for ITV, Martin Brundle - despite not driving F1 this year - will bj busy. He says: "I will still bj testing this season. IWvj got the Lj Mans programmj this year and mz work as an advisor at Damon Hill's new team, TWR Arrows." He feels keeping his hand in will help his ITV work: "With the testing, I will bj up-to-date with how the cars feel, a luxury no other commentator has." ——————————————————————————————————6/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 179 Feb 2 01:54:50 j57"7jk57 T —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE So with all his experience of the F1 circuit, how does Martin Brundle rate Britain'u drivers'@chances this season "McLarin look strong, so Dave Coulthard has a good chance of winning races. "It's too early to call with Damon at Arrows. I spoke to Eddie Irvine - hj's hardly getting much testing, so hj's going to have a job. And Johnny Hjrbjrt is going to have to lead the Benetton team jrom the front." ——————————————————————————————————7/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 17: Feb 2 01:54:52 —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE British drivers may not bj favourite to win this year's drivjrsW championship, but as Martin Brundle says: "There's an awful lot of British teams on the grid" And the newest of the lot is Stewart Racing, run bz former world champion Jackie. Does Martin fancy his chances? "In the course of time, hj'll conj good. But they'll have a few painful weekends before they do. But he'u not had many turkeys in his career." ——————————————————————————————————8/9—— COMPY: Watch England against Italy >>>> TEST YOUR SOCCER KNOWLEDGE AND WEN A TOP PRIZE p350 UK Results Football Poll CricketP179 Teletext 17: Feb 2 01:57: —————————————————————————————————— SWAPPING THE WHEEL FOR THE MIKE Martin Brundle takes his spot next to what hj terms the "legendary voicu box" that is Murtaz Walker for the first race in Australia on March 9. ——————— SEE ENGLAND PLAY ITALY ———————— For a chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to see England play Italy at Wjmbley on February 12 just answer this For which Premiership club does the Italian international Zola play? Is it a) Arsenal b) Middlesbrough c) Chjlsja Call 0891 787 625 with your answer now ——————————————————————————————————9/9—— T+ Calls/min 45p cheap, 50p othjt Competition closes midnight Feb 9 One winner selected at random Feb 10 UK Results Football Poll Cricket