F1 commentator Martin Brundle, from King's Lynn, was taken ill ahead of the British Grand Prix.

Eastern Daily Press: Former F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: MATTHEW USHERFormer F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: MATTHEW USHER

The former Formula One driver was about to take the microphone for the 2017 event at Silverstone, Northamptonshire for Sky Sports.

But the broadcaster announced that he had been taken ill before the start of the race and that he had been taken to the medical centre at the Grand Prix circuit.

The former King Edward VII School pupil was due to be presented with a trophy at the start of the race to mark his 20 years in broadcasting.

His colleague, fellow former Grand Prix driver Damon Hill, received the trophy in his honour.

Eastern Daily Press: Former F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: IAN BURTFormer F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: IAN BURT (Image: Archant � 2006)

Sky later released a statement which said: 'We're pleased to report that Martin has left the circuit and gave fans a thumbs up as he walked out.'

Fans have since taken to Twitter to wish Mr Brundle a speedy recovery as another former Grand Prix driver, Paul di Resta, took his place in the commentary box.

After leaving the Gayton Road school when it was still a grammar school, he worked his way up through junior racing formulae, including Formula Ford and Formula Three, before landing a coveted seat in Formula One in 1984.

From there he embarked on a successful 12-year career during which he drove for top teams such as McLaren, Benetton and Tyrrell and raced legends such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher.

Eastern Daily Press: Former F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: MATTHEW USHERFormer F1 driver and now Formula One commentator Martin Brundle. Picture: MATTHEW USHER

Since 1997, he has been a highly-popular commentator for the BBC, ITV and Sky on the sport he once raced in.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsF1/status/886553679649808384