Martin Brundle Opens Up About the Pressures of His F1 Grid Walk

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Martin Brundle Opens Up About the Pressures of His F1 Grid Walk
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle has admitted that his legendary Formula 1 grid walk is a high-pressure experience, describing it as “terrifying” and acknowledging that he is always “one sentence away from the end” of his broadcasting career.
Brundle, a former F1 driver who secured nine podium finishes before transitioning into broadcasting, has become one of the most recognized voices in the sport. His unscripted pre-race grid walk is a staple of Sky Sports' F1 coverage, offering spontaneous interviews with drivers, team members, and celebrities just minutes before lights out.
The Risks and Challenges of Brundle’s Grid Walk
Armed with a live microphone, Brundle navigates the packed pre-race grid, attempting to engage with some of the sport’s biggest stars and high-profile guests. However, the unpredictability of live television makes each grid walk a nerve-wracking experience.
“I’m one sentence away from the end of my career at all times, or being canceled,” Brundle revealed in an interview with The Sun.
“I’m terrified of the whole thing because it’s live, and it’s just pure car crash television.”
Brundle’s grid walks have often gone viral due to awkward or unexpected encounters. Some of the most infamous moments include security guards blocking his access to celebrities like Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Thee Stallion, who appeared unfamiliar with the F1 world.
Another recent controversy erupted at the 2024 British Grand Prix when legendary Queen guitarist Sir Brian May declined an interview, leading to widespread discussion. May later apologized, explaining that his reaction stemmed from a lack of familiarity with F1 rather than any personal slight.
F1’s Celebrity Boom Creates Challenges for Brundle
The Formula 1 grid has become increasingly crowded in recent years as the sport continues its global popularity surge. High-profile celebrities are now a common sight before races, creating both opportunities and obstacles for Brundle.
While some guests are eager to engage, others appear less interested, which Brundle understands.
“I understand that,” Brundle said. “Because we watch Formula 1 year in, year out, racing ourselves, and they’re on the grid, and they actually don’t know anything about it and quite clearly don’t really want to be there.
“They’re just selling a movie or something. I get that, but for Formula 1, they are A-listers.”
Frustration Over Limited Access to Drivers
Brundle’s grid walks were originally centered around drivers, but access to them has become increasingly difficult over the years. As teams have become more structured in their pre-race preparations, drivers are less available for spontaneous interviews.
Brundle reflected on how much things have changed since his first-ever grid walk at the 1997 British Grand Prix.
“Literally, I was the only person on the grid with one camera,” Brundle recalled on the Sky F1 podcast.
“And I remember sitting down and saying, ‘This is the driver’s eye view when they come to the grid,’ with the camera over my shoulder. You sit on the floor of a Formula 1 car, and it just grew from there.”
Back then, drivers were far more accessible, and Brundle could freely chat with them.
“It was so easy back in those days, so easy, because there was nobody else to compete with,” he said. “Drivers would stop by and have a good old chat. I remember talking once to Michael Schumacher and Gerhard Berger at the same time. And I could do what I wanted and go where I wanted to.”
Today, however, the grid is packed with VIPs, celebrities, and media personnel, making it increasingly difficult to secure driver interviews.
“The grid now looks like it has 2,000 people on it,” Brundle said.
Brundle’s Determination to Keep the Grid Walk Alive
Despite the difficulties, Brundle remains committed to delivering an informative and entertaining grid walk segment. He believes a good grid walk should balance technical insight with lighthearted moments.
“A good grid walk adds a little bit of important information about the day, the race, the cars, or one of the drivers in particular,” Brundle explained. “Talk to a celeb or two. Must talk to some drivers.”
However, his biggest frustration remains the lack of access to drivers.
“I am really disappointed if I don’t get to see some drivers, which is getting near impossible, actually, to find a driver on the grid,” he admitted.
Many drivers now retreat to their garages before the race, engaging in last-minute debriefs with their teams rather than remaining on the grid.
“A lot of them, like Lewis [Hamilton] and George [Russell], go back to the stations in the garage and do a debrief on headphones,” Brundle said.
“And a lot of the drivers do. They get off the grid, especially if it’s hot. They need to go and drink. They need to go to the bathroom. And they don’t want to be bothered on the grid.”
What’s Next for Brundle?
Despite the challenges, Brundle continues to be a key figure in Formula 1 broadcasting. His grid walks remain a highly anticipated part of race weekends, offering fans rare behind-the-scenes insights.
As the F1 grid becomes busier and more commercialized, Brundle will have to navigate these evolving dynamics while striving to maintain the spirit of his iconic segment. With his wealth of experience and sharp wit, he remains one of the most respected voices in the sport.
For now, fans can look forward to more unpredictable, entertaining, and occasionally awkward moments from Martin Brundle’s legendary grid walks.
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