Martin Brundle makes Megan Thee Stallion claim as he delivers F1 grid walk admission

Martin Brundle makes Megan Thee Stallion claim as he delivers F1 grid walk admission Newspoint | 15/03/2025 21:39:10

Martin Brundle admits it "annoys" him to be more recognised for his grid walk than his racing career.

Despite as an F1 driver from 1984 to 1996, where he secured nine podium finishes, is better known among new fans of the sport for his broadcasting work with , , and since 2012, ' F1 coverage.

The 65-year-old motorsport legend is a pundit and commentator during Grand Prix weekends, yet it's before races that's among Gen-Z fans.

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During his grid walks, Brundle often paces around trying to get interviews with high-profile celebrities, from Kylian Mbappe and to Stormzy and DJ Khaled, leading to some cringeworthy yet iconic interactions. And despite the awkward encounters with stars such as Cara Delevingne and , Brundle says he still loves the experience.

“The grid walk actually really annoys me because that’s what I’m known for now,” Brundle explained to . “The whole thing is still a mystery. I won a lot of races as a driver and was on the F1 podium. I was World Sportscar Champion, winner at Le Mans, and beat Ayrton Senna a lot of times in F3.

“I was a reasonably handy racing driver and I’m a reasonably handy commentator but all I’m going to be remembered for is getting ignored on the grid by the Megan Thee Stallion and other people I’d never heard of until that moment.

“It’s quite a funny thing but I can’t knock it – heading towards 66, I’m lucky to still be in live sport and that’s why I was pleased with the OBE because it wasn’t an OBE just for gridwalking.”

Brundle's encounter with American rapper Megan Thee Stallion became a viral hit after her entourage physically blocked him from interviewing her, while actress Delevigne brazenly declined to speak to him. Unsurprisingly, Brundle, 28 years on from his first rodeo, refuses to watch the interviews back.

He said: “It’s not my natural habitat to interrupt people, and be cheeky and rude because that’s what it’s become. I know when I've done a decent job or embarrassed myself in front of millions of people. I can't bear to watch it even though I really should. But in my heart of hearts, I know when I’ve done well.”

Brundle was awarded an OBE in the King's 2025 New Years honours for services to motor racing and sports broadcasting. He admits he was thrilled that the award was not just a recognition of the second part of his F1 career.