F1 journalist Martin Brundle faced a humorous snub from rookie driver Franco Colapinto during the grid walk at the US Grand Prix in Austin. Brundle, known for his engaging interviews, tried to speak with Colapinto as part of his pre-race coverage for Sky Sports F1.
Before the race in Austin, Brundle had interviewed several drivers and notable figures, including Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, and Kevin Magnussen, as well as Olympic champions Gabby Thomas and Armand Duplantis. However, when he approached Colapinto on the grid, the Argentine driver seemed to ignore him completely.
Introducing himself, Brundle said, “Hello, my name is Martin Brundle, Sky – we have not met. Can we have a chat?” Colapinto, making his debut in Monza the previous month, appeared to show no recognition and walked past Brundle without engaging in any conversation, prompting Brundle to comment to viewers, “Ah well, I think that is the answer to that.”
Brundle’s interactions with drivers and celebrities on the grid are known for their mix of amusement and awkwardness. In the past, he has had memorable encounters with personalities like Kylian Mbappe’s bodyguard in Monaco, Machine Gun Kelly in Brazil, and Shaquille O’Neal in Las Vegas.
Other notable encounters include interviews with DJ Khaled and Pharrell Williams in Miami, as well as a slightly frosty exchange with model Cara Delevingne at Silverstone. Despite the occasional snub or funny moment, Brundle’s grid walks continue to provide fans with entertaining insights into the world of Formula 1.