Martin Brundle’s grid walks at high-profile F1 races often turn into PR nightmares for certain celebrities. Brad Pitt was one of the first victims of fan backlash after he ignored the F1 Legend’s repeated attempts to interview him during his famous ‘grid walk’ segment pre-race at the US GP. A seeming replica of that incident ensued at the 2024 British GP. Lead guitarist of rock band Queen, Sir Brian May, gave Brundle the cold shoulder twice during his customary grid walk, for he apologized later. But this time, the Sky Sports presenter humbly issued an apology of his own.

Brundle’s Brad Pitt interaction at the 2022 US GP is immortalized as one of F1’s most awkward moments. For this, the Oscar-winning actor sent an explanatory note to the former driver, which he described as “nice of him” to do so. Similarly, Sir Brian May apologized on his website, writing how he had “no intention of snubbing” him. The guitarist revealed he was “nervous” to speak about a sport he knew very little of. This apology touched Brundle, who asked May to not feel sorry at all.

“It is me who should be apologising to Sir Brian May, not him to me for the gridwalk on Sunday at Silverstone,” the Briton wrote for his compatriot on X, adding, “I didn’t address him as Sir Brian, and I shouldn’t have approached him twice when he wasn’t up for a chat on live TV. Nobody is ever obliged to talk to me on the grid, or anywhere else for that matter.”

Even after the Brad Pitt incident, Brundle had emphasized how no one should feel obligated to entertain his questions. Over the years, the 1990 Le Mans winner’s grid walks have evolved quite a bit and made for many awkward yet hilarious moments for viewers. His ‘Patrick Mahomes‘ incident from 2022 can never be forgotten.

Martin Brundle mistakes NBA player for NFL Legend Patrick Mahomes

At the 2022 Miami GP, Martin Brundle was quite excited to interview Patrick Mahomes. On spotting the NFL Quarterback, he trailed him, “Patrick, Patrick…”. Once he came across free space on the grid and stopped “Patrick” for a short interview. After a couple of questions about the race “atmosphere”, the 65-year-old (then 63) realized the man he stopped wasn’t Mahomes.

“Okay, it’s not Patrick, that’s why you ignored me in the beginning,” Brundle said on air. “What is your name, sir?” he asked. “Paolo Banchero”, came as the reply as the Sky Sports presenter apologized for his mistake and chuckled. The NBA team Banchero plays for, Orlando Magic, also humorously referenced this error after Mahomes won the 2024 Super Bowl.

This episode is all the more hilarious when you dive deeper into Brundle’s perception of his job. Speaking with GQ ahead of the 2024 F1 season, he described his grid walks as “unscripted, unrehearsed, car crash telly. I always feel I’m one interview away from the end of my career.” Say what you want to, but Martin Brundle is the iconic voice of F1 after Sir Murray Walker.