Hot on the heels of Jacques Villeneuve’ recent visit to Lotus in Hethel, it would be tempting to speculate that Martin Brundle also had an ulterior motive. Accompanied by his son Alex, one of the rising stars of the Formula Two, Brundle called on Classic Team Lotus where Clive Chapman (son of Lotus’ founder Colin Chapman) showcased some of his Father’s much loved Formula 1 projects.

“It is an honour for Lotus to host Martin Brundle, one of the most respected and popular names in motor sport. It was an incredible opportunity to demonstrate our exciting array of vehicles and the work of our talented employees to one of the most esteemed analysts in the automotive arena and I am delighted with his positive responses,” said Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus.

Whilst he was at Hethel, Brundle also took a look around Lotus’ state of the art manufacturing facilities and sampled the Lotus Evora for the first time around the famous Lotus test track.

Brundle comments, “I remember first visiting Hethel in the 1960s, when my Father drove a Lotus Cortina. I am equally impressed now as I was then and as a Norfolk man, I am delighted Lotus is performing so well. I was pleased to see my old friend Gino Rosato and after hearing more about the future plans from Dany Bahar and his team, I am looking forward to the forthcoming products to come out of Hethel.”

Martin Brundle and his son Alex (Photo courtesy of: alexbrundle.com)

After returning from a stint around the track in the Lotus Evora, Brundle said, “I was especially keen to drive the Evora after reading so many positive magazine reports. On a wet track, the cornering grip and particularly the braking performance deeply impressed me. It’s a quality sports car.”

Alex Brundle is one of the rising stars of British Motorsport, having competed initially in T-cars, then progressing into Formula Palmer Audi in 2007. He finished sixth in the championship in 2008 before moving up to Formula Two in 2009.