Eddie Irvine called ‘horrible man’ by Martin Brundle on F1 grid as he’s forced to issue apology

Eddie Irvine made a rare appearance at a Formula 1 race at the Italian Grand Prix, getting Martin Brundle into hot water with a comment about Bernie Ecclestone

Martin Brundle jokingly called Eddie Irvine a ‘horrible man’ after being forced to cut short a grid walk interview with the ex-F1 star.

Having missed last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Brundle was back on grid walk duty ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. One of his interviewees was Newtownards-born ex-Ferrari driver Irvine, who was making a rare appearance at an F1 race.

Having raced against each other in F1 in 1990s, there was a jovial rapport between Brundle and Irvine, 59, who recalled what it was like driving for Ferrari at Monza.

In light of veteran drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both in their mid-30s, sealing their returns to the grid with the new Cadillac team for 2026, Brundle jokingly asked if Irvine would consider making a comeback to the sport, saying: “You’re only in your 50s.”

Irvine went on to explain why he hadn’t often attended grand prix since his retirement, saying: “Stefano [Domenicali], the boss of Formula 1, is a good friend.”

Then, waving his grid pass, he adds: “Stefano always gives me a pass. When Bernie [Ecclestone, F1’s former ringmaster] was the boss, he used to break your b****. I don’t like my b**** being broke, so I never came.”

Immediately realising Irvine’s language wasn’t appropriate for a Sunday afternoon audience, a smiling Brundle responded: “You’re going to get me into trouble. You know you’re going to get me into trouble. That’s the end of that interview, you’re a horrible person, goodbye.”

As he and colleague Nico Rosberg walk away to find another interviewee, Brundle said: “Apologies for the colourful nature of Eddie’s explanation there. He then turned to Rosberg and said: “Let’s go, we haven’t been thrown off air yet.”

Amused rather than offended by the incident, fans were quick to defend Irvine on social media. One said: “Eddie Irvine needs to be a regular pundit on Sky Sports F1. He’s good craic.”

Another added: “I forgot how much I loved Eddie Irvine. We deserve more drivers with personalities like that!”

A third said: “Eddie Irvine trying to get Sky into trouble [laughing face emojis].” Another viewer demanded: “We need more interviews with Eddie Irvine.”

Irvine has led a colourful life since his final F1 race with Jaguar in 2002, dating numerous glamorous women and building a mammoth net worth thanks to a successful property portfolio.