Martin Brundle started his racing career in 1973 at the tender age of 12, driving a self-built Ford Anglia grass track car near his West Norfolk home.

He has not missed a season in the subsequent 24 years.

Moving on to Hot Rod short oval racing in 1975, the 70mph quarter mile tracks generated many wins and "Star grade" status, preparing him for the cut and thrust of circuit racing.

Throughout this time, school and technical college life were not ignored, Martin gaining 12 "O" levels and a distinction in Business Studies, a valuable knowledge for his later years in Formula One.

A few days after his 17th birthday, a driving test pass enabled a circuit racing licence, signalling the beginning of his saloon racing achievements.

Pole position for his first proper circuit at Oulton Park in 1977 in his Toyota Celica was followed by many races learning the circuits of Great Britain, through to 1978.

1979 offered his first single seater opportunity, sponsored in Formula Ford 2000 by a local company, Carter Builder. One win and several placings followed. Out of the blue, Martin wrote to Tom Walkinshaw to seek the opportunity to drive one of his cars in the BMW Championship at Snetterton. Amazingly, he agreed and Martin lined up on the front row against an international field, eventually finishing second after an epic race.

1980 was more BMW, this time winning the Championship, and Formula Ford 2000, but lack of sponsorship then forced Martin back to saloon cars, partnering the great Stirling Moss in the BP/Audi team in 1981.

BP sponsorship took Martin into Formula 3 in 1982 with five pole positions, two wins and the prestigious Grovewood Award as the most promising Commonwealth driver.

1983 took Martin to Eddie Jordan's fledgling team to take on the mighty Ayrton Senna in Formula 3, Senna taking the Championship from Brundle only in the final laps of the final race. Both were immediately elevated to Formula One, Martin spending three seasons, 1984-1986, with the Tyrell team, collecting a second at Detroit in 1984 behind Piquet, and many World Championship points. Broken ankles and feet sustained during a high speed crash in Dallas were a serious setback.

1987 was a difficult season at the German Zakspeed team, producing a fifth place at Imola.

Martin's Jaguar link started in 1982 driving the Tom Walkinshaw Racing XJS in the European Touring Car Championship; a winning debut at Donington Park. More XJS in 1983 and 1984 with many wins, Martin was chosen as lead driver when Jaguar returned to the World Sportscar Championship at Mosport, Canada, in 1985. Winning again in 1987 at Spa in Belgium, for 1988 Martin left Formula One for Jaguar in the USA IMSA and the World Sportscar Group C Championships. Starting in January with a win in the famous Daytona 24 hours, the World Championship was also his by October in Suzuka, Japan. A test schedule for the Williams GP team and standing in for an unwell Mansell at the Spa GP completed an exhausting year.

Two years with the Brabham Grand Prix team in 1989 and 1991 had limited success, divided by a further season with Jaguar, the highlight of which was winning the Le Mans 24 hours in 1990. Martin also made history by finishing 1st and 2nd in the same race at Monza in 1991, driving both of the tunning Jaguar XJR 14s during the race.

1992 was Martin's most successful Formula One season alongside Michael Schumacher in the Benetton Ford team, scoring points in 11 of the final 12 races, including five podiums.

To everyone's surprise he was then replaced by Italian Ricardo Patrese and so moved to the French Ligier team for 1993 finishing seventh in the World Championship, highlighted by a podium finish in the San Marino Grand Prix.

Early 1994 saw some brinkmanship as Brundle gambled on and claimed the Number 8 McLaren seat vacated by Senna. Second and third in Monaco and Australia were the highlights, poor reliability were the very public low points, although again finishing seventh in the World Championship.

A series of strong performances on his return to Ligier for 1995 was highlighted by an excellent podium finish at the demanding Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

Martin drove for the Benson and Hedges Jordan Peugeot team in 1996. After a spectacular crash in Melbourne the season progressively improved with very competitive top six places in five Grand Prix.

In 1997 Martin moved alongside the legendary Murray Walker for the F1 ITV television production in the UK, with their commentary also beamed worldwide to tens of millions of viewers in many English speaking nations. Martin's own series of 'Great Escapes' programmes was an instant hit with 9 million viewers, again on ITV.

Le Mans assaults in 1998 and 1999 for Toyota led to a stunning 3min 29 sec pole position and easily leading the race. However technical problems sidelined the car on both occasions. In 2001 Martin led the Bentley team back to Le Mans after 71 years; leading the early stages of the race until mechanical problems retired the car.

For the 1998 and 1999 season Martin won two highly coveted Royal Television Society Awards for his expert commentary on Formula One.

Martin is also involved with the management of David Coulthard's career and is Chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club.

Away from motor racing Martin is a shareholder with his brother, Robin, and Mr Mike Williams in the Brundle Group of retail motor dealerships, currently employing 90 people with a turnover of 30 million pounds, retailing Toyota, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Skoda and Honda.

Other significant awards:

British Racing Drivers' Club Gold (1988) and Silver Stars (1983)

Segrave Trophy (1988) for "Courage, Imagination, Initiative" by land, air or water.