Former Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell has been banned from driving for 20 months and fined £1,042 after admitting drink-driving. The 59-year-old appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
The court heard that Blundell was stopped by police on the A14 near Junction 1 Overbridge in Northamptonshire on 23 July. He provided a breath sample reading 89 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
In addition to the ban and fine, Blundell was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £42 victim surcharge. His driving licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points.
Blundell, who raced in Formula 1 between 1991 and 1995, achieved three podium finishes and won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1992. After retiring from racing, he worked as a television pundit for ITV and later for other broadcasters.
The ban means Blundell will be unable to drive for 20 months unless he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which could reduce the disqualification period by up to 25%.
