Martin Brundle’s gridwalk is a regular fixture for F1 viewers (Image: Getty)
Formula One gridwalks are unique in their own right as the former driver talks to some of the world’s most popular VIPs. But the F1 icon considers his live interviews to be “car crash television” and fears they could spell the end of his TV career. The broadcaster, 65, can often be seen marching up and down the grid minutes before the race, making a hurried attempt to chat to the glamorous stars and celebrities attending the race. Brundle never looks entirely comfortable as he engages in conversation with celebrities from all walks of life – and that’s part of its charm.
One viral encounter with Ozzy Osbourne led to the Black Sabbath rockstar rambling incoherently in his direction, while Brundle’s lack of familiarity with rapper Machine Gun Kelly and his music career led to a toe-curling exchange. Some VIPs have even refused to engage with Brundle altogether, with infamous incidents involving model Cara Delevingne at the British Grand Prix in 2023 and a brutal snub from rapper Megan Thee Stallion and her bodyguard. Brundle’s haphazard nature of those interviews leave him fearing that he could be axed by his employers or ‘cancelled’ by society.
“I’m one sentence away from the end of my career at all times, or being cancelled,” he told at F1 75 Live at London’s O2 Arena in February. “I’m terrified of the whole thing, because it’s live and it’s just pure car crash television.”
In some ways, the gridwalk somewhat cheapens Brundle’s image in F1. He often provides expert insight from the commentary box and has done so for nearly 30 years after retiring from racing. But he insisted that he feels ‘very privileged’ to meet people from all walks of life on the asphalt – even if some of them don’t turn up.
It wouldn’t be a Martin Brundle gridwalk without a little awkwardness
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1)
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He continued: “Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Thee Stallion, I don’t know, getting knocked about by security guards. They’re the ones that people like. And then I meet some really lovely, fascinating, world-class people, politicians and royalty and movie stars, and I’m very privileged with the people I meet on the grid.
“I get a list through on it, race morning, with 70 people on it. Half of them don’t turn up, but you get through and you’re like, ‘I’ve not heard of many of those.’ Oh, 65 million followers on . Oh, 140 million followers on . How did I not hear of these people? Clearly somebody has.
Martin Brundle speaks to Jeremy Clarkson at the Bahrain Grand Prix (Image: Getty)
“I get a list through on it, race morning, with 70 people on it. Half of them don’t turn up, but you get through and you’re like, ‘I’ve not heard of many of those.’ Oh, 65 million followers on . Oh, 140 million followers on . How did I not hear of these people? Clearly somebody has. I think it’s all part of the incoming tide, all the boats float higher. That’s part of why something like this works today, and it hasn’t happened in the past.”
Brundle will be back with his trusted microphone and cameraman for the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday to kick off the 2025 season. He won’t be at every race, and given his advancing years, the gridwalk in its current form won’t be around forever. With that in mind, F1 fans should savour the cringe-inducing chats and awkward encounters while they still can.