Sky Sports plans for Martin Brundle's F1 grid walk after Cara Delevingne row

23 July 2023 , 06:00

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Brundle often converses with famous faces, such as singer Sam Ryder, on the F1 grid prior to a race (Image: Getty Images)

So often these days, the biggest talking point to come from a major sporting event is not the action itself, but one viral moment which proves divisive among fans.

That happened again this month at the British Grand Prix. Max Verstappen won the race while Brits Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton gave us a thrilling battle for second place – but still the big story was about what had happened on the grid a few minutes before the start of the Silverstone race.

It was jam-packed with celebrities – setting up a bumper edition of Martin Brundle's usual pre-race grid walk. That particular segment of the Sky Sports coverage has become one of the most popular among viewers in recent years.

Some of that is because Brundle is an excellent and informative broadcaster who knows more about the inner workings of the Formula 1 circus than most people alive. But then, as with all live television, there is also the potential for things to go very wrong.

There have been several high-profile instances of Brundle being treated poorly or snubbed completely by celebrities on the grid. Two such examples came at the 2021 US Grand Prix in Austin, when he was blanked by Serena Williams and shut down bluntly by a bodyguard for rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

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At Silverstone, it was model and actress Cara Delevingne who was at the centre of the latest storm. Brundle had chats with the likes of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, singer Liam Payne and actress Florence Pugh, but was refused when he tried to start a conversation with Delevingne.

Naturally, the debate began on social media shortly after – the same debate as always. Some, usually season F1 fans, who slam the celebrity in question for disrespecting Brundle and suggesting they should be obligated to speak, and others who defend the interviewee's right not to answer questions.

Martin Brundle was infamously turned down when he approached Cara Delevingne on the Silverstone grid (Sky Sports)

In this particular example, Delevingne was on the grid as a guest of Alfa Romeo and it was a member of the team which had advised her not to speak, which prompted some criticism. And Brundle came under fire for his sarcastic response to being snubbed: "I'm sure that would have been extremely interesting."

The end result was that no-one came out of it smelling of roses. Brundle had angered some fans which didn't reflect well on Sky Sports, while Formula One Management – responsible for granting grid access to VIPs – also had a headache.

Regardless, the whole furore isn't likely to change anything. Sky Sports declined to comment when approached, but Mirror Sport understands that Brundle will deliver a grid walk again at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix and again at the races that he attends in the future in his capacity as a pundit for the broadcaster.

Furthermore, despite that criticism of the way in which he sometimes goes about that grid walk, Brundle has not been asked to make any changes to his broadcasting style. His segment remains one of the most enjoyed elements of Sky's F1 coverage among their subscribers.

Formula 1 also declined to comment on the record. But Mirror Sport understands there is no desire among chiefs for Sky to change any aspect of Brundle's grid walks going forwards.

These instances are always a hot topic of debate on social media. The simple truth of this example is that Brundle was well within his rights to ask Delevingne for an interview, and that she was under no obligation whatsoever to participate in one.

Every VIP in the grid is briefed beforehand that they are entering a live media zone and that there is every chance they may be approached, but that they do not have to engage if they do not want to. Delevingne did received that briefing from her hosts Alfa Romeo, and made the decision not to speak to Brundle when he approached.

His grid walk in Budapest this weekend will be much different to that at Silverstone, because the grid will be far less busy. This Grand Prix doesn't have quite the same prestige to be able to attract so many global celebrities, but there are still plenty left this season for which the stars will inevitably come out again.

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The race in Austin, as proven in 2021, is always attractive for those who want to experience the glamour of the sport. And, of course, the first edition of F1's new crown jewel, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, is expected to attract all the big names.

Brundle will no doubt we walking the grid in those locations and that may well produce some more awkward moments. Such an outcome would spark even more hot debate, but few would argue that it won't be great television for those watching the Sky feed from home.

Daniel Moxon