Former Formula 1 star Mark Blundell, who once raced for legendary teams including McLaren, has been slapped with a 20-month driving ban after being caught behind the wheel while nearly double the legal alcohol limit.
The 58-year-old racing veteran, who achieved three podium finishes during his F1 career, was stopped by police while driving his powerful BMW X6 through Hertfordshire countryside lanes.
From Racing Hero to Courtroom Drama
St Albans Magistrates' Court heard how Blundell was pulled over on the B158 near the village of Newgate Street on February 9th. The ex-McLaren and Ligier driver failed a roadside breath test and subsequent station tests revealed he had 63 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - significantly above the 35mg legal limit.
Blundell, who now works as a motorsport commentator and pundit, pleaded guilty to driving while above the legal alcohol limit. In addition to his lengthy driving ban, magistrates ordered him to pay £1,085 in fines and costs.
A Stellar Career Overshadowed
During his impressive racing career, Blundell not only competed in 61 Formula 1 Grands Prix but also achieved remarkable success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking victory in 1992. His F1 career spanned teams including McLaren, Ligier, Tyrrell and Brabham, with his final race occurring at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.
The fallen racing star continues to work within the motorsport world as a commentator and analyst, though this conviction casts a shadow over his professional reputation.
Zero Tolerance Message
This case serves as a stark reminder that even experienced professional drivers are not above the law when it comes to drink-driving regulations. The substantial ban demonstrates the serious approach courts take to such offences, regardless of the driver's background or expertise.
Blundell's conviction comes during increased police focus on rural drink-driving, with authorities targeting country lanes where some motorists mistakenly believe they can avoid detection.
