F1 legend drops 2-word reaction as Michael Schumacher's former teammate receives prestigious British honor

F1 world champion Damon Hill praised former F1 driver and Michael Schumacher's ex-teammate Martin Brundle after he was awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours for 2025. The British driver raced alongside the seven-time F1 world champion for a year in 1992 at the Bennotton F1 team and finished in a career-best P6 in the driver's championship.

Brundle was awarded an OBE for his contribution and services to motor racing and sports broadcasting and for his accolades. The 1996 world champion on his Instagram story dropped a two-word response to the news and wrote:

"Well earned."

Screengrab of Damon Hill's Instagram story featuring news of Michael Schumacher's former teammate Martin Brundle's award (@96f1champ)

Hill expanded more on Brundle's award on his X (formerly Twitter) profile, where he praised him:

“Much deserved honor for the Bard of Kings Lynn. If anyone thinks talking is easy, I'll challenge them to do what Martin has done for our sport. Like the proverbial Swan, he retains perfect posture when all around are flapping ducks. Happy New season Martin Brundle OBE.”

Former F1 driver and fellow Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok also praised Martin Brundle (via Autosport):

“I often describe him as the 'Adrian Newey of commentary'. Worked through so many eras of the sport & always makes sure he’s absolutely at the forefront of knowledge, delivering every time. Been an honor & pleasure to learn from him.”

Despite being a consistent points scorer and getting five podiums in 1992, Brundle was dropped from the following season as Michael Schumacher's teammate and replaced by Ricardo Patrese. After finishing his career in 1996, Brundle joined punditry and became a commentator alongside the great Murray Walker.

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Martin Brundle delves into his dynamic with Michael Schumacher

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has said he was not on talking terms with his former teammate Michael Schumacher for five years after he stopped racing.

Speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, the 65-year-old said:

“Well, weirdly, we fell out because something I said was translated, taken out of context, and translated into German and put in a headline and newspaper. And Michael got very upset, I have no idea what it was to this day. He wouldn’t speak to me for five years, it was really odd.

And then we got drunk together in a nightclub in Valencia when he was on his sabbatical between Mercedes and Ferrari. We were fine after that, he was sort of hanging off my shoulder, like, ‘My teammate, my teammate!’ And it broke the ice again."

Brundle is amongst the select few drivers in F1 who raced alongside both Ayrton Senna and Schumacher at the pinnacle of motorsport in his decade-long career. He is one of the lead commentators on the Sky F1 broadcast and continues to trend among fans for his "Grid Walk" segment.