Martin Brundle, a Sky F1 commentator, has opened up about his extensive pre-race grid walk routine and stated he is only “one interview away” from quitting racing.
For many years, Brundle’s grid walk has been a highlight of British F1 coverage, providing exclusive access to the drivers just before the start of a race.
Martin Brundle talks about his experiences walking the grid in Formula One.
The grid walk has become more well-known in recent years as a result of videos documenting Brundle’s travels going viral after awkward meetings with celebrities such as musician Machine Gun Kelly and socialite Cara Delevingne.
Calling the grid walk “unscripted, unrehearsed, car crash telly,” Brundle acknowledged that the role requires him to take on a “alter ago” persona and that he worries that a poor interview could spell the end of his career.
“It’s like winning the lottery, especially when it’s live and the drivers are ready to talk to you minutes before they hop in a car and go at 230 mph,” he said to GQ. I adore how urgent that is.
The A-listers frequently treat me like I’m from space. And it says something like, “Hey, I thought you were briefed!” I assumed you were aware of my arrival!
“I always think that my career could end after one more interview. Being naughty all the time is so not me, but my other self emerges.
“You just have to go for it when millions of people are waiting on your shoulder for some entertainment or insider information.
It’s sport, first and foremost, and entertainment, so we have to be entertaining to watch. People seem to enjoy awkward interactions, and I’m okay with that.
I miss being a race car driver a lot. Really, we’re all addicted to adrenaline. The grid walk is the only thing that makes me feel about 30% as anxious as I did when I used to be on the grid and ready to race cars.
As the interview went on, Brundle recalled meeting Machine Gun Kelly, whom he calls “an unusual character,” at the Interlagos Brazilian Grand Prix last year. He disclosed that his production team was pressuring him to go to George Russell’s Mercedes.
“I was hearing in my ear that you had to go to George Russell’s car,” the man stated. two rows in back of you. The front end of George Russell’s car is having a major issue right now.
“In the interim, millions of people are watching as Machine Gun Kelly tries to perform an air guitar routine with me.”
The 64-year-old said he will “take it all day long that they want to be there,” despite ardent F1 fans frequently accusing celebrities of showing a lack of respect by declining to interact with him. He claimed that having well-known people on the grid highlights F1’s enormous appeal.
