This past weekend, F1 saw a return to Austin for the first time since 2019.
The US Grand Prix has always had no short supply of star-power, with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Ben Stiller and even George Lucas mingling with the teams in the paddock during Sunday’s race, with all the teams jumping on the slightly embarrassing yet hilarious coattails of each celebrity’s stardom.
Yet, perhaps the most awkward was beloved staple of F1 coverage Martin Brundle’s encounter with rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
This moment occurred during Brundle’s famous grid walk, a chance before the start of the race to meet some of the stars and people involved in all the action, which has become a Sunday tradition within the F1 community.
These unscripted interviews have led to some of the funniest and slightly awkward moments in F1, whether an interview with a ‘fruitcake’ Ozzy Osbourne in Canada 2003 or being kicked off the grid by an official in China 2007.
Sunday’s grid walk was no exception, in which during the segment Martin attempted to converse with American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
While walking alongside her, Brundle is quickly pushed away by a bodyguard accompanying the star. Perhaps rather ambitiously, Martin asks her if she has ‘any rap today for Formula One?’ to which she laughs and responds, ‘I have no rap today I’m sorry.’
Brundle is yet again forced out of the way before he asks who the rapper is supporting, as he asserts that he is allowed to talk to her to the many personnel surrounding, who clearly have no idea who the cherished ex-driver-turned-commentator is.
It wasn't just the rapper who snubbed Brundle, though, tennis star Serena Williams also refused to talk to him ahead of the race.
This was met with mixed opinions. Does the media ask too much of celebrities? Or should a celebrity have to dial down their ego and engage with the F1 community when attending a race?
The idea of celebrities attending races polarises the community. Some fans are glad to see stars attend events, while many fans can blatantly see which celebrities are genuinely interested in the sport and which attend for publicity from the media, with pundits such as Martin Brundle and David Coulthard cheekily suggesting how little interest celebrities actually have in F1.
With F1 becoming an ever-increasingly global sport, perhaps the lure it brings to celebrities will only increase. Yet, it is my belief that the fans, the people who contribute and show immense passion for the sport, should be the ones focused upon and able to experience the same treatment as some of these celebrities from F1 and its teams.
Yet, it is certain that Martin Brundle gives a voice to many fans and is what F1 needs for its ‘celebrity-management.’