Ex-McLaren F1 driver hit with six-month driving ban

The former British driver was caught on the A14 in Northamptonshire on November 20, 2024, exceeding the 70 mph (113 km/h) speed limit by a full 26 mph (around 42 km/h).

Blundell was due to appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court but chose not to attend. Instead, his barrister entered a guilty plea on his behalf.

As a result, he was handed five penalty points on his licence, which triggered a six-month driving ban, along with a total fine of £1,042.

Born on April 8, 1966, in Barnet, in the Greater London Area, Blundell initially began his career on two wheels before moving into car racing.

After starting out in Formula Ford and progressing through the junior formulas, the Briton made his Formula 1 debut in 1991, competing until 1995 with Brabham, Ligier, Tyrrell and, notably, McLaren. In total, he took part in 61 Grands Prix, claiming three podium finishes.

After his Formula 1 stint, Blundell launched a second racing career overseas, competing in CART from 1996 to 2000. During that time, he achieved prestigious victories in 1997 at Portland, Toronto and Fontana with the PacWest Racing CART team.

Blundell also competed in other categories, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 with Peugeot while still racing in Formula 1.

After ending his full-time driving career, the Briton worked as a Formula 1 broadcaster for ITV until 2008, before moving into motorsport management and business through MB Motorsport. His most recent racing appearance came in 2019, when he competed in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship with Trade Price Cars.