Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle’s grid walk might be the very definition of car crash television but the veteran broadcaster has proven just how ice cold he has to be in the latest edition in Las Vegas.
Making the most of live television, Brundle’s grid walk is the must-watch appetizer to every F1 race.
Maybe you’ll get a wholesome interview, maybe you’ll get a wild snub, maybe Brundle himself will make a faux pas.
Or, like in Vegas, maybe Brundle will show himself to be ice cold.
From the outset of the grid walk in Vegas, it was clear it was going to be a tough one with a reported 77 celebrities on the list to walk the grid as well as motorsport personalities and the drivers themselves.
So Brundle could be picky — and he made the most of it right from the outset.
As the camera cut to him, almost immediately he was tapped on the elbow for an interview with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter Petra.
After introducing her, Brundle brushed her immediately, saying: “Cool. Hi, how are you doing? If you don’t mind, I’m going to go this way (pointing in the opposite direction) first and then I’ll … but thank you for the heads up on that,” Brundle added as he walked away.
With an absolutely packed grid, Brundle complained about not being able to find anyone, with the drivers all staying in the garage.
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to find anyone today,” Brundle said.
In his 10-minute segment, Brundle “sidestepped” Gordon Ramsay, who he regularly sees on the grid, and golf star Rory McIlroy, who he interviewed earlier in the week.
But he was able to track down the likes of legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who is producing the F1 movie with Brad Pitt, Olympic 100m gold medalist Noah Lyles, “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal and Sylvester Stallone.
However, when he was offered a chat with former Playboy Playmate of the Year turned actor and media personality Jenny McCarthy, Brundle kept moving.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he said.
McCarthy, who is also a judge on “The Masked Singer,” has also been criticized for promoting anti-vax talking points and being called “the face of the anti-vax movement,” a label she reportedly disputes.
But F1 fans found the funny side of the situation.
“I’m still laughing the guy (sorry I don’t know his name) had nobody to chat with, (someone) leans in and says we have Jenny McCarthy, he replies with no thanks,” one fan wrote.
“That was hilarious seeing Martin Brundle curve Jenny McCarthy’s handler on live TV lmao,” another posted.
A third commented: “Martin Brundle not having any desire to talk to Jenny McCarthy, despite how laughably desperate her rep/friend was for him to interview her (and Donnie Wahlberg) on the #BrundleGridWalk is the only thing good about this again horribly timed #LasVegasGP.”
A fourth wrote: “Jenny McCarthy witnessed the wrath of Martin Brundle’s indifference on tonight’s #LasVegasGP.”
A fifth added: “Martin Brundle just passed on interviewing Jenny McCarthy & Donnie Wahlberg to fish for better celebs on the #F1 grid in Las Vegas — funny stuff.”
Brundle then made a beeline for Williams driver Franco Colapinto, who crashed out of Q2 in Saturday’s qualifying.
The pair had had drama earlier in the season when it appeared the 21-year-old Argentinian had snubbed the Sky Sports veteran.
It was later worked out between the pair with both taking the blame of the situation.
Brundle’s grid walks often make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In Monaco this season, a security guard tried to keep Brundle from football superstar Kylian Mbappe, with the veteran commentator replying: “It’s alright mate, I’m in charge around here.”
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May was also slammed after turning down a chat with Brundle at the British Grand Prix.
Brundle brushed off that snub but some fans had questions over the willingness to move on, particularly when the likes of Megan Thee Stallion and Cara Delevingne have been trolled after snubbing Brundle in the past.
Megan Thee Stallion’s snub even prompted a rule change where the FIA banned bodyguards from the grid.
Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri was dealt a brutal burn when the Sky Sports presenter bailed on him mid-answer.
In Miami, it was three-time F1 champ Jackie Stewart who stole the limelight after he was almost manhandled during the grid walk shenanigans.
But it’s not always bad.
Hollywood power couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones won fans over with their classy interview ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
At the British Grand Prix, it was musician Sam Ryder who drew widespread praise for his infectious banter while speaking with Brundle.
At the Canadian Grand Prix, fans were blown away after motorsport pioneer Mary McGee had a heartwarming exchange with Brundle.
