“Don’t Make Things Up To Suit Your Narrative”: Brad Pitt Controversy Fuels Social Media Feud Between F1 Fan Favorites

For all the fighting and battling that goes out on the tracks, and sometimes off it, the belligerents are either the drivers or the team bosses. But who would’ve thought the fighting would be between F1 commentators and that too, over Brad Pitt?

The United States GP in Austin was the 19th race of the season. It made for great viewing for fans of all teams with a number of nervy moments, skillful overtakes, and brilliant driving. But a lot of screen time was also dedicated to the star-studded audience present at the Circuit of The Americas.

Among the many stars, Brad Pitt was in attendance at the race. The American actor was given special access to the paddocks, reportedly as part of his research for an upcoming movie that is based on Formula 1. Pitt was also seen in discussion with Lewis Hamilton, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein.

After the whole Martin Brundle-Brad Pitt incident, F1 presenter Will Buxton posted on Twitter, “Another USGP. Another reminder that all grid accredited media are given a list at EVERY RACE of which media invitee/celebrity is and isn’t approachable for interview. Pitt hadn’t been on any of the days he was present.”

“For reference on F1TV our grid walk is always about the cars and the drivers. Who is where and why. If we grab an interview it is rarely with a “celeb” unless we know they are invested in the sport and available to chat. Because for us the celebs are the ones in the cars.”

The tweet was a response to the much-discussed snub by the actor of veteran journalist Martin Brundle while walking around the grid prior to the race.

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Fans of the sport were visibly annoyed with what they saw as disrespectful behavior by the actor towards a veteran of the sport. It does not bode well for a person who is making a movie aimed at these same fans.

What is the Brad Pitt controversy at US GP all about?

Surprisingly, on a race night, the biggest talking point was not about a driver’s racing or a team’s strategy, but it was all about this episode.

Brundle had initially been snubbed by the actor when he tried to interview him. Pitt walked away and said, “No, not yet, top secret” when Brundle asked him to speak about the movie he is doing. Martin also quipped in response, “Obviously they’re known as Pitt stops, if they don’t want you to talk to Brad Pitt.”

The saga has, however, continued on Twitter, in a different vein. Buxton’s tweet got a reply from Brundle who said, “That’s simply untrue Will. Don’t make things up to suit your narrative.”

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Will has also replied with a video clip of what seems like an official F1 communication to him, titled “Talent attending doc”.

What started as a snub to a veteran journalist is quickly snowballing into a much bigger dispute if what Will says is true. It could turn into a bigger issue if journalists feel a sense of disparity in treatment from F1.