With the popularity of F1 on a boom, Liberty Media is on a mission to expand the sport further in America. In that effort, they increased the number of US fixtures from two to three races in 2023. However, the move has irked some of the purist fans who feel that the races in the States turn out to be just a spectacle for celebrities. Those voices got some sort of legitimacy when Brad Pitt snubbed one of the legends of the sport before the race at COTA. This time around in Miami, Tom Cruise repeated the disrespectful gesture but the renowned Sky F1 pundit gave it back.
Forget about the action in his movies, Tom Cruise is quite the daredevil in real life as well. From flying a jet to driving a Red Bull F1 car, Tom has done it all. Therefore, when he made his way to the paddocks during the Miami GP, it was never a surprise for his fans. Cruise even ran a pit stop drill with the Mercedes crew, getting a hands-on experience of the affairs. However, his gesture during the grid walk will surely leave an unpleasant taste in F1 fans’ mouths.
Tom Cruise slammed for his disrespectful actions against F1 legend
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Last year at COTA, Martin Brundle approached Brad Pitt for a few questions when the Inglourious Basterds-famed star snubbed the veteran commentator. Fans took offense to his actions then. This time, the organizers put out clear instructions for the broadcasters to not bother Hollywood stars during the grid walk. Therefore, Brundle was told to stay clear off Cruise. However, he decided to approach him anyways but was apparently turned away.
He, as per Express UK, said, “Tom Cruise although I was specifically told I’m not allowed to speak to Tom but that doesn’t usually stop us does it?”
“Plenty of people on the grid. You can’t actually see cars when you get further own here because there are just so many people. They all think they are famous. Some of them very much are.”
Brundle isn’t the only F1 legend who had to face humiliation in Miami. Sir Jackie Stewart too was turned away by Roger Federer’s security.
Tennis star Roger Federer’s security disrespects Sir Jackie Stewart
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Federer is one of the most loved tennis legends in the world. Perhaps Sir Jackie Stewart is one of his fans as well. As the 3-time F1 world champion saw the king of the grass during the grid walk, he tried to approach him.
However, before he could get to Roger, his security blocked him and told him to turn away. It was ironic to see that the legend of the sport was not recognized while Federer enjoyed exclusive access despite being a former tennis player.
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If such incidents do not stop, surely it will become difficult for F1 fans to follow US fixtures with as much enthusiasm as they do now. What do you think about these incidents?