Brundle denies £1m Sky deal is done

25/10/2011
NEWS STORY

Martin Brundle has denied claims that he has signed a £1m deal to move to Sky and head its F1 coverage team.

On Friday, the Englishman Tweeted that he had received offers from both the BBC and Sky and would take the weekend to consider his future.

On Monday, the Daily Telegraph reported that the former racer was expected to sign a deal that day, a claim dismissed by Brundle who Tweeted: "Telegraph was wrong, I didn't sign £1m Sky contract today. Calmly working through it, will end up doing what satisfies me most professionally."

From next season, in a controversial deal prompted by the BBC, Sky Sports will show every round of the world championship live while the BBC will show just half the races, the rest being broadcast several hours after the event.

The matter of who will comprise the Sky team has been the subject of much speculation especially as, ironically, the BBC finally appears to have got it just right.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Brundle will leave the BBC for Sky while sidekick David Coulthard has another year on his contract. That said, there is speculation as to whether the BBC might use its own team or that of Sky which must be offered as part of the deal.

According to the Telegraph, Brundle, if he accepts the Sky deal, will team up with David Croft, a move which would see the 158 Grand Prix veteran revert to the role of co-commentator.

Most interesting thing about the Telegraph article however, are the readers comments where most make no bones about the fact that they won't buy Sky's coverage - some even telling Bernie Ecclestone exactly where he can place the sport - while others suggest popping down to B&Q and buying a cheap satellite package in order to watch all the races for free on (German station) RTL. One cheeky reader even suggests that RTL would do well to employ an English speaking commentary team in view of the new (English) viewers it will have from next season.

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Published: 25/10/2011
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