Formula 1: Martin Brundle responds after Miami Grand Prix grid walk goes viral

Brundle has revealed his ‘dislike’ for the grid walks that the former F1 driver has become known for

Harry Latham-Coyle
Monday 09 May 2022 14:09 BST
Comments
Martin Brundle’s grid walk interviews are popular with Formula 1 fans
Martin Brundle’s grid walk interviews are popular with Formula 1 fans (Getty Images for Fox Sports)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Martin Brundle has revealed that he is not a fan of having to do the grid walks that the popular broadcaster has become famous for.

Brundle, who started 158 races in Formula 1 in the 1980s and 1990s, again drew the delight of fans for several strange interactions during Sunday’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

The Sky Sports pundit and presenter misidentified Paolo Banchero, likely to be a top pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, as Patrick Mahomes – quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL and seven years Banchero’s senior.

Brundle also appeared to be ignored by David Beckham and sidelined by a monologue from DJ Khaled during his pre-race wander amid the massed personalities keen to get close to the pre-race action.

While the 62-year-old has been asked to perform grid walk duties for a succession of broadcasters since his exit from F1 in 1997, Brundle has now admitted that he refuses to watch his interviews back, revealing his “dislike” for the role.

“There’s a reason why I’ve never watched back an F1 grid walk in a quarter of a century of doing them,” Brundle tweeted after the Miami Grand Prix.

“You have no idea how much I dislike doing them but somehow those crazy moments have defined my professional career.

“Oh well, that’s the way it is.”

At last year’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Brundle had an awkward encounter with Megan Thee Stallion and her entourage after attempting to collar her pre-race and asking her to rap.

F1 was subsequently reported to have tweaked the rules around celebrities on the grid – cutting back on the number of bodyguards and security personnel permitted access, and encouraging personalities to be courteous to media.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in