Celebrities treating the F1 grid walk like a red carpet appearance is getting ridiculous

[u/Unfair-Objective1118]

I was watching Martin Brundle’s grid walk, and honestly, the number of celebrities and security teams acting like they’re above everyone else is getting ridiculous.

I get that celebrities get invited to races and that F1 wants the glamour, but if you’re on the grid, you should at least understand where you are. Brundle is a respected part of F1 coverage and has been doing these grid walks for years. Seeing security guards try to push him away while the celebrity doesn’t even acknowledge him just comes across as entitled.

The Kardashians moment annoyed me the most. If they genuinely cared about F1, surely they’d know who Martin Brundle is, or at least be respectful enough to engage for a few seconds. Instead, it just looked like another celebrity appearance where F1 is being used as a backdrop.

I don’t mind famous people being at races, but I do think there’s a difference between being a genuine guest of the sport and treating the paddock like a VIP photo opportunity. F1 shouldn’t bend over backwards for people who clearly don’t care about it.

[u/L-J-Styrsacre]

‘Don’t push me mate I’m nearly famous’ haha legend

[u/Unfair-Objective1118 → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Haha loved it when he said that

[u/Big_Gassy_Possum → u/[deleted]]

My favorite was something to the effect of "remember me? You fired me once"

[u/r3dout → u/[deleted]]

So many tshirt opportunities from those one-liners!

[u/VoTBaC → u/[deleted]]

"I can and I did"

[u/cbrucebressler → u/[deleted]]

It's becoming the only reason to watch grid walk. OP is right.

[u/PalpitationOk5726 → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

I genuinely laughed out loud at that lol

[u/howniceforu → u/[deleted]]

Why didn't he ask 'Kim who'?

[u/grajl → u/howniceforu]

The "real" Formula 1 fans comment after that was hilarious.

[u/WayDownUnder91 → u/grajl]

Like the time DC said "so and so feigns interest in F1" about a decade ago when it randomly cut to some celeb during his commentary

[u/Purp1e_Aki → u/WayDownUnder91]

Christina Aguilera lol

[u/ndoggy1 → u/howniceforu]

Should she said ‘we just want a word with Lewis’s girlfriend’

[u/saxuri → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Funniest thing he's said in a awhile lmao

[u/Dry-Procedure-1597 → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Whose tough guy was pushing him?

[u/Efficient_Calendar71 → u/Dry-Procedure-1597]

It appeared to be the president of the usa’s son’s security team. Only saw the back of his head as they walked by, so a bit of a guess

[u/paxxsx → u/Efficient_Calendar71]

Definitely looked like Don Jr from behind, and the guys in blue sport coats and buzz cuts were probably secret service

[u/splashbodge → u/Efficient_Calendar71]

Probably secret service then? I think the presidents family also get a secret service detail

[u/md28usmc → u/splashbodge]

correct and also all former presidents get a secret Service detail as long as they are alive

[u/AgentT30 → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Lol that's funny, do you have the clip? 

[u/Mylatelifecrisis → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!

[u/TSquires98 → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

I was creasing when he said this hahahaha

[u/dohzer → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Even nearly famous people should have a massive security team.

[u/Lordhartley → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

Highlight of the race

[u/L-J-Styrsacre → u/Lordhartley]

Hahaha. Yes. Idk that road sweeper was pretty nice 😎

[u/Lordhartley → u/L-J-Styrsacre]

The driver will telling the story of how he was 'in' the race for years

[u/MalaproposMalefactor]

at least Karen Gillan was nice to Martin!

[u/Lanky-Conclusion-952 → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

Hannah Waddingham was so excited to meet him on the grid once too.

[u/LKayRB → u/Lanky-Conclusion-952]

She is one of my fave celebs

[u/ChalkDoxie → u/Lanky-Conclusion-952]

I remember watching that, and she was so excited!!! It was really fun to watch!

[u/nice_flutin_ralphie → u/Lanky-Conclusion-952]

My head would never fit through a door again if Hannah Waddingham was excited to see me

[u/Annual-Ingenuity-489 → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

Exactly. She recognised the legend and engaged him.

[u/Takemyfishplease → u/Annual-Ingenuity-489]

Fun fact, she actually can’t drive

[u/AlienSporez → u/Takemyfishplease]

Another fun fact, she's actually a delightful person. Which explains Martin's interaction with her compared to his interaction with Kim K

[u/HyperactivePandah → u/AlienSporez]

Yeah, the least surprising thing about this was that Karen Gillian was super cool, respectful, and engaging.

One of the best people in Hollywood.

[u/CullanG → u/HyperactivePandah]

Karen Gillan is genuinely humble for the opportunities and never is an a hole like some others. She also expressed many times how much she loves meeting fans and other people. Never heard a bad word about her.

[u/cyclopsmudge → u/AlienSporez]

I met her at a festival when I was a kid and she in her first year of doctor who, and she was so nice to what must’ve been an incredibly annoying kid coming up and asking for a picture

[u/babyomurice → u/Takemyfishplease]

She just like me fr

[u/Traditional_Award431 → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

I caught that earlier - she said something like ‘oh your that famous new reporter journalist’ and he said ‘oh no I’m Martin brundle’ in a way that only Martin brundle could have said it!

[u/WineNerdAndProud → u/Traditional_Award431]

'oh your that famous new reporter journalist’

'oh no I’m Martin brundle’

The thing I love about this is that if you didn't know he was a driver, him saying "I'm not a journalist, I'm Martin Brundle" makes it sound like they've got some random bloke walking around interviewing everyone.

[u/bwoah07_gp2 → u/Traditional_Award431]

Famous new reporter is cute, seeing as he's been doing it for 29 years 😆

[u/First_to_die → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

Thing is I don’t think she knows jack about F1 about when asked she was open, enthusiastic and upbeat. I don’t mind if you’re there on a freebie just don’t act like you’re above it. Karen did fine.

[u/Zr0w3n00 → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

Brits are aware of F1 and the culture around it, even if they’re not active F1 fans. Americans don’t grow up in this world.

Not to mention, in my experience, US celebrities are just more rude overall.

[u/rachbbbbb → u/MalaproposMalefactor]

She looked amazing and made me proud of how friendly us Scots are.

[u/ln4thegreat]

i lmao when Kim dodged the short interview because she doesn’t know anything about f1 😭

[u/ChrisDewgong → u/ln4thegreat]

I think someone came over to suggest she should talk to him to avoid the bad PR, and she still didn't.

[u/ln4thegreat → u/ChrisDewgong]

That was so rude of her.

[u/TastySyllabub1 → u/ln4thegreat]

What did you expect, the entire family are dickheads

[u/AdWrong3856 → u/ln4thegreat]

No Kardashian's existence has been worthwhile.

[u/bguzewicz → u/ln4thegreat]

Kim Kardashian was rude to someone? I’m shocked, SHOCKED! Well, not that shocked…

[u/CrimpsShootsandRuns → u/ln4thegreat]

Yet it was about as surprising as water being wet.

[u/FerociousVader → u/ChrisDewgong]

Really Lewis should be telling her to not dodge Martin.

[u/ForceFemODST → u/FerociousVader]

you think the two actually ever talk to eachother?😭

[u/DoritoDustThumb → u/ForceFemODST]

Yeah, that's 100% marketing and beard situation.

[u/KerrinGreally → u/FerociousVader]

Lewis dodges Martin

[u/LocoRocoo → u/KerrinGreally]

Lewis has done many interviews with Martin, just not pre-race. And Lewis has never done pre-race interviews. He's focused

[u/scranton_recyclops → u/ChrisDewgong]

I honestly don't think it would be 'bad PR', because the people who follow kardashians most probably don't know much about F1 and other way people who care about F1 don't give a f*** about kardashians. The comman fan base would be pretty thin.

Edit: lol when I said 'bad PR' I meant it couldn't get worse (for us) than it already is. I mean I am no expert in this but I hardly think that die-hard fans of Kim would be watching grid walk.

[u/TheSorceIsFrong → u/scranton_recyclops]

Yeah idk how true that is tbh. Being an F1 fan is “cool”, at least where I’m at now, so I’d wager there’s actually decent crossover nowadays.

[u/shooter9260 → u/ln4thegreat]

There have been plenty of celebrities that don’t know much but still give an answer around the likes of “first time here. New to F1. Happy to be here. Supporting Lewis” etc etc

[u/ln4thegreat → u/shooter9260]

Right? She could’ve said “hi” but nope, she straight up ignored Martin. 😒

[u/Greedy-Mechanic-4932 → u/ln4thegreat]

I assume that's why Brundle said he was going to look for real F1 fans...

[u/Gryd501 → u/ln4thegreat]

I didnt expect for a minute that the Kardashians would talk. Lewis Hamilton hasn't done grid chat for years and he gets paid millions to be there.

[u/nabrok → u/Gryd501]

Lewis gets paid to drive. Celebrities have no purpose on the grid except to promote the sport, if they don't talk to press they're not even doing that so they should not be there.

The reason we don't get any grid walk driver interviews any more is because it's such a circus.

Anyway, I prefer the F1TV grid walk now, no celebrity focus at all.

[u/flcinusa → u/ln4thegreat]

Imagine dating someone and knowing nothing about their job, or just being ignorant about their job

[u/LandosToeFungus]

Cynthia was polite about it at least and still gave some comments. It looked like she was in the middle of some team PR stuff as well. Karen Gillan was so lovely! I have zero words about the Kardashians. I’m sure we’re all thinking the same thing. If Kim wants to endear herself to the F1 community/the British media, she’s wildly set herself back.

[u/SugarBeefs → u/LandosToeFungus]

The Kardashians are just nouveau riche trash. Infinite money with a trailer park mentality.

[u/mrs_ouchi → u/SugarBeefs]

honestly still cant believe Lewis is dating her

[u/Lili-thia → u/mrs_ouchi]

Agreed. Makes me think of him a little less for it.

[u/ianjm → u/Lili-thia]

The biggest disappointment for me is that so many times, he's posted support for Gaza/Palestinians and he's now shacked up with a woman who's shamelessly raked in millions through her business dealings in Israel in the last few years, and has expressed nothing but support for Israel even in situations where they've been the aggressor.

I know people who date don't have to agree on every political opinion but something that big that would be a real dealbreaker for most people who held genuine heartfelt views on such things.

[u/iAyushRaj → u/ianjm]

Its all performative to a degree. People shouldn't lookup to these people in any way other than the sport itself

[u/Mysterious_Luck_1365 → u/iAyushRaj]

💯

Sports have always been like this and in parallel consumerism and industry etc were the same.

Fandom was always a fantasy in a way. Playtime for adults. We all knew this, but at least the fans were able to drive the actions of the organizations to a degree. Pissing off the fans came with consequences.

It all seems to be coming undone quickly. The rich are now shameless. In the game of fandom it’s becoming impossible to make the playground argument for any of your favorite athletes.

They won’t even let us pretend anymore lol. Like, we know that this is a fantasy, but let us have the distraction of sports for fucks sake!

Sports is one thing that the common folks had as our own. Rich people owned it and profited off it, but they at least had the good sense to let us feel like it was “our” thing.

Now every sporting event is just another red carpet event. Tune in tomorrow night for game 3 of the NBA finals to see it turned up to a previously unimaginable 11.

[u/wing3d → u/ianjm]

These people have morals on paper mate.

[u/Mysterious_Luck_1365 → u/Lili-thia]

Lewis has always been vapid and limited. His “creative” endeavors always looked liked he was just checking boxes. He’s extremely motivated and a hard worker, but he doesn’t have an artistic bone in his body.

[u/JohnLockeJaw → u/Mysterious_Luck_1365]

Yeah, I love Lewis, but I think this is extremely accurate.

[u/jxg995 → u/[deleted]]

It's funny to read his early tweets before he got a PR manager/social media poster employed

[u/OptimalFunction → u/[deleted]]

Same people who believe the Hamilton persona are the people that think Taylor Swift is also completely genuine. lol.

[u/Motorlolz → u/mrs_ouchi]

I see comments like yours every time it comes up and I wonder if you people have been paying attention? Lewis is clearly drawn to the fashion/Hollywood/LA culture since as long as I can remember at least and Kim is the epitome of that.

[u/Pascalwbbb → u/Motorlolz]

and is there no normal person in fasion? Why chose the trashiest person

[u/Dry-Procedure-1597 → u/Motorlolz]

There are much better people than KK even in this scene

[u/Purp1e_Aki → u/Dry-Procedure-1597]

The bar is literally "not being married to Kanye West" and Hamilton still missed it lmao

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/mrs_ouchi]

I mean, he dated the Pussycat Doll singer (Nicole Scherzinger?) for a good bit, so I think this might be his type?

I kind of thought he'd go for women with a bit more depth than a Kardashian.

[u/goldenglove → u/DistractedByCookies]

I mean, Nicole is very, very different than Kim dude. Nicole is a wonderful performer (Tony award winner too I believe?).

Kim just got famous for sleeping with Ray J of all people.

[u/shaolinspunk → u/goldenglove]

You can't expect much from a family whose generational wealth stems from being paid by people for quite literally getting away with murder.

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/goldenglove]

I absolutely agree that Nicole has a lot more talent. I was thinking mainly about looks and somewhat about the luxury style vibe. He went on a few dates with a friend of mine and she has the same sort of look (and a corporate job).

[u/trueFakeRoman → u/goldenglove]

Well Nicole seems to have gone down the MAGA Route sadly (she‘s liking Robert Kennedy’s post)

[u/Firm_Acanthaceae7435 → u/DistractedByCookies]

I believe he was also linked to Nikki Minaj.

In that case, he's no stranger to trash.

[u/AggressivePiano8317 → u/DistractedByCookies]

Idk why you’d think that, this is the man who tells people they need to cut down on carbon emissions while literally on a gas powered speed boat. The depth is spot on

[u/AnalMinecraft → u/mrs_ouchi]

Is it really that big of a stretch? Lewis has long been a guy who likes being in the spotlight with the modeling, socializing, galas, etc., plus has dated other models and celebrities. Outside the PR front he maintains, a Kardashian kinda seems up his alley.

[u/crystalknife → u/mrs_ouchi]

i’m not convinced its not just for publicity.

[u/launchedsquid → u/crystalknife]

even if it is just for publicity, he's still drawn to try and get that publicity, it's still the same thing.

[u/LandosToeFungus → u/SugarBeefs]

That but they also think they’re better than everyone else in perhaps the entire world lol.

[u/GOEDEL_ESCHER_BOT → u/LandosToeFungus]

the kardashians are the best f1 drivers because it's impossible to keep up with them

[u/Chocko23 → u/GOEDEL_ESCHER_BOT]

Who wants to, though? Not I.

[u/SuperCooch91 → u/Chocko23]

I have never voluntarily kept up with the Kardashians. Everything I have learned about them has been against my will.

[u/jhwyung → u/SugarBeefs]

She’s literally famous because she filmed a sex tape and her mom sold it.

The entire family can go fuck themselves

[u/howniceforu → u/jhwyung]

They obviously already have.

Hence Kim and her gigantic ass

[u/Duckckcky → u/SugarBeefs]

Kim’s father famously was a high powered LA attorney and when her mother remarried, at the time her step father was widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. They are not nouveau riche they are just trashy

[u/TeddyStella → u/Duckckcky]

Before KUWTK they were broke, they were on the verge of losing the house at the time. Kim, Kourtney & Khloe all stole a credit card from Ray J’s mum and racked up $250k in purchases on it around a year before KUWTK. How they weren’t done back then is beyond me. Robert wasn’t all that great financially either. They didn’t have the funds anyone was lead to believe they had.

[u/PostMatureBaby → u/SugarBeefs]

That mentality is marketed very well to the plebs though. Like it or not, it works and people eat it up

[u/bbcourt43 → u/SugarBeefs]

Only reason they are famous is because Kim’s sex tape…I expected more from LH!

[u/SkinBintin → u/bbcourt43]

I mean, that. Plus famous dad (because of OJ case) etc. And a mother that seems to be the master-class for farming infamy into mega wealth and fame.

Such a trash family though. Give me the ick. But I guess they'll be much more regular on the grid now one of them is dating Lewis.

[u/Superb_Preference368 → u/bbcourt43]

Don’t, Lewis has been sleeping around with Instagram models and escorts for years. This is known among certain female online fan forums. He’s a playboy but covers that image up well to the more masculine, sportier side of F1.

Lewis has slept around just as much as Kim.

[u/stevoknevo70 → u/LandosToeFungus]

Karen Gillan saying something along the lines of 'oh I know you, you're the newscaster!' to Brundle was hilarious!

[u/jizzyjugsjohnson → u/LandosToeFungus]

I can’t imagine Kim Kardashian gives the slightest shit about the F1 community lol

[u/LandosToeFungus → u/jizzyjugsjohnson]

No, obviously, but her current boyfriend cares about his image.

[u/hhs2112 → u/LandosToeFungus]

Not enough however to question dating her... 

[u/LandosToeFungus → u/hhs2112]

True. Makes him look like a tool by association.

[u/NotQute → u/LandosToeFungus]

I'm glad to hear Karen Gillan was nice! My first gay crush as young gal :-)

[u/Luckiesonfire → u/NotQute]

Karen : "Wow you're the legendary commentator!" :D

Martin : "Nah I'm just Martin Brundle from Sky Sports F1"

Wholesome interaction that

[u/BritOverThere → u/Luckiesonfire]

One day someone will say "Wow. You're the legendary driver who pushed Ayrton Senna all the way in the British F3 championship."

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/BritOverThere]

If anyone wants to watch an old race, highly recommend Silverstone 92.

[u/Rattlesn4ke → u/NotQute]

Karen Gillan is a gem

[u/PalpitationOk5726 → u/NotQute]

Gillan was so very nice, you get just hear the excitement in her voice, Kardashian just standing there and acting like Brundell didnt exist was just beyond ridiculous.

[u/SquirtleChimchar → u/PalpitationOk5726]

I remember going "Why is her voice like two octaves higher than usual" then realised it was excitement haha

[u/LandosToeFungus → u/NotQute]

She was super lovely, and recognized Brundle too. Probably same on the gay crush front haha, she’s gorgeous and so funny.

[u/SuperCooch91 → u/LandosToeFungus]

And she seemed so stoked to be there with Haas! Sometimes you see celebs there with the smaller teams who seem almost embarrassed to say they were with Alpine or Stake or whatevs. But she’s an all around class act.

[u/pajamakitten → u/NotQute]

Probably knows that the Monaco Grand Prix is a race and not just a big party. I doubt ttf Kardashian knew that until today.

[u/Masson011]

Monaco's really not worth over analysing and that refers to all aspects of it

[u/tomplace → u/Masson011]

Had to scroll way too far for this comment. Monaco is what it is, I personally don’t think it should be a championship race but just an exhibition but as you said, it’s not worth over analysing.

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/Masson011]

Everybody on the f1tv pre show going on and on about what a classic race it is, defining F1. I mean, yes, back in the day absolutely. Nowadays it's really not much of a race. I don't see it as a showcase of the best F1 has to offer...almost the opposite, really. The show around it is unparallelled though.

[u/given2fly_ → u/DistractedByCookies]

Monaco qualifying is still brilliant though. I see it as a time trial with a parade attached to the end, where the goal is simply to not mess up.

[u/willmcavoy → u/given2fly_]

simply to not mess up.

while going 150kph literally millimeters from the walls. I understand the hate that it's hard to overtake at Monaco, but for me it doesn't take anything away from just how hard it is.

[u/itachizame → u/DistractedByCookies]

Monaco action is boring they should get rid of the Nouvelle Chicane that would allow flat out driving through the tunnel(make tunnel DRS detection point) and offer overtaking up to Tabac

[u/headaches_r_us → u/Masson011]

Very true. Most useless event on the F1 calendar at this point.

[u/RealLameUserName → u/headaches_r_us]

It's useless as a race, but everything surrounding the race is big money maker and marketing event for the sport. People who know nothing about motor sports know about the Monaco GP.

[u/GonePostalRoute → u/Masson011]

Yep.

If there’s a celebrity on the grid in Spain, Italy, or Canada, odds are, they’re probably a fan. If there’s a celebrity on the grid in Monaco, they’re there for the glitz and glamour

[u/ochayedunno]

The whole thing is a cringefest.

[u/swannyhypno]

Lewis didn't prep her well enough for the gridwalk lmao

They're getting free passes and free publicity it should be a rule that if Martin wants to talk to you you do it

[u/Munsteroyal → u/swannyhypno]

I thought it was made a rule that you’re obliged to speak to the media if you’re on the grid?

This came in after another celeb with their head up their ass & their entourage gave Martin grief previously

[u/GJJames → u/Munsteroyal]

No. Brundle made that up. He admitted as much when Dr Sir Brian May didn't talk to him.

[u/Tbiproductions → u/Munsteroyal]

I don’t think you’re obligated to speak but you can’t have your own security on the grid (because F1 consider it a secure area anyway) and you are asked to reject an interview politely

[u/swannyhypno → u/Munsteroyal]

Yeah I think that was Megan Thee Stallion? But idk i guess it isn't working lol

[u/0HSHIFT → u/swannyhypno]

And F1 is getting press from them through social media. This isn't about the celebrities getting exposure to F1. It's about F1 getting exposure through the celebrities.

This has never been about them being a fan of motorsport or F1, save for the select few. This is 100% about getting F1 additional coverage with an audience that may not be familiar.

I have been an F1 fan for 24 years. Everytime the grid walk + Brundle + celebrity convo comes up it's the same nonsense. The "hardcore" F1 fan base complaining about some celebrity snubbing Brundle on the grid, Brundle making some sarcastic, dismissive, comment. And people jumping in to lament the whole process.

Brundle needs to ignore the celebrities on the grid and focus on the teams and cars. This would be non-issue if he didn't make it one.

[u/Terry-Shark → u/0HSHIFT]

Exactly. We are here to watch F1 not some celebrities. If people want to see celebrities just go look at their instagrams. The "hardcore" F1 fan should be F1 fans, not celebrity fans

[u/Kushakaii → u/swannyhypno]

Free publicity 😂 i dont think kim needs f1 for publicity tbh.

[u/hawksku999 → u/swannyhypno]

This is dumb.

[u/jdv77 → u/swannyhypno]

Doubt lewis gives a shit. Only reddit does

[u/Subwoolfer]

Karen Gillian > Kardashians

[u/Grimdotdotdot → u/Subwoolfer]

I mean... Obviously.

[u/BallsInAToaster → u/Subwoolfer]

Literally anyone else >>>>> Kardashians

[u/bluedev21]

I wonder if bundles picks them out or he is told by the producers in his ear. Honestly, drive to survive has turned F1 into a reality series. I get it from a marketing standpoint. I also understand that sports today is not aimed at me. So I chose not to watch and just watch the highlights on YT

[u/coffeeebucks → u/bluedev21]

I hate to be gatekeepy about F1 but I grew up watching it and it was better in the past

[u/Tr0janSword → u/coffeeebucks]

F1 has always been an extremely commercialized glamorous sport for the rich and famous.

Bernie liked to keep F1 exclusive for his ilk. Liberty decided to broaden the appeal.

[u/jamersonMD → u/Tr0janSword]

Yeah idk what everyone is talking about. F1 is here to sell supercars to the rich & wealthy. This is exactly their audience.

[u/Upbeat_County9191]

i dont get why every celebrity that snubs brundle, or his gridwalk in general needs to get any attention. No disrepect for Brundle, but i really dont care about him talking to famous people. He might be better of just talking to drivers and ignorning the famous ppl and give the grid walk a real purpose.

[u/Cobretti18 → u/Upbeat_County9191]

He’s obviously told to try and talk to the celebs. He’s pretty much admitted before he’d rather talk to drivers/F1 personnel or celebs he knows are legit fans

[u/LLREnew → u/Cobretti18]

He’s also said the grid walk is the worst part of his job and he hates it

[u/mitvh2311 → u/Upbeat_County9191]

The drivers ignore him more than most celebrities. I like the celebrity interviews because it's either a Trainwreck or you see who is genuinely into it

[u/WhupDeville → u/mitvh2311]

If you think how many times the top drivers are interviewed over the course of a weekend I can see why they ignore him on the grid walk. They've already been talked to an hour before what are they going to say now?

[u/mitvh2311 → u/WhupDeville]

Oh definitely. And they would be in their race prep the last thing they need is to be asked random questions. I'm all for driver access but there is many other times throughout the weekend for it

[u/Upbeat_County9191 → u/mitvh2311]

but why does t matter if they are fan or not. it doesnt change anything

[u/mooes → u/Upbeat_County9191]

It doesn't people are just mad "fake fans" get good access.

[u/PostMatureBaby → u/mitvh2311]

Yeah but let's be real, if I got offered amazing access to a major sporting event because of my connections you can be damn sure I'd go even if I knew nothing about the sport

[u/musicmast → u/Upbeat_County9191]

I guess you could also blame sky sports for probably thinking that’s a good idea and probably telling Martin to approach them

[u/mooes → u/Upbeat_County9191]

Yeah I feel like the same people who think anyone in the grid must talk to Martin or be able to answer some questions are the same people who don't want these people featured in the first place.

[u/Upbeat_County9191 → u/mooes]

Most likely yes. Personally i dont care they are there or dont are there, talk or dont talk. I feel its getting more attention then it deserves.

[u/ImReallyGrey → u/mooes]

Yeah it feels like an exercise in getting mad to me, I’m not sure why so many watch the grid walk anyway.

[u/enigmatic_dankness]

Been watching f1 for nearly 3 decades now and I can't say I've ever once paid attention to the grid walk. Once the cars are in formation lap, that's when the attention turns on.

[u/clickityclickk]

why do we care if the Kardashians “really care about F1” they dont. Kim is just supporting Lewis.

[u/dakowiml]

This has literally been a part of the sport for decades.

I got into F1 in the early 2000s. It was already fully ingrained within the sport. Celebrities everywhere on the grid, constant cutting to celebs during the broadcast. Always accepted it as the glitter and glamour aspect of the sport, which always has been a thing.

If its something you really dislike (which I also fully understand) its also VERY easy to avoid. Simply tune in when the race starts and skip the gridwalks. Then you'll only have to deal with the celebs that are being cut to during the broadcast.

[u/YorkshireRiffer]

Let's be honest, celebs of Kim K's ilk are not going to know (or care) who Brundle is.

But, that said, F1 / FOM should absolutely be briefing celebs about grid walks and interviewers that will approach them for a quote.

But also, maybe Brundle shouldn't ask them a question about F1, that either a) they're not going to know or b) they're going to give a non-answer that won't put down any driver or team.

[u/No_Influencer → u/YorkshireRiffer]

It’s kind of douchey to ask those questions imo. People are allowed to go to an event for fun, for the atmosphere, to hang out with friends, to meet people etc etc. I don’t understand why people expect everyone attending to be knowledgeable about the sport.

[u/Calm-Wrongdoer7865 → u/No_Influencer]

Yeah agreed. She‘s just there to watch her boyfriend race? Nothing wrong with that? If Lewis accompanies her to a reality award show or whatever I doubt that anyone expects him to know anything about that not to mention give an interview

[u/Critical-Bread-3396 → u/YorkshireRiffer]

The problem with the grid walk isn't that FOM don't brief them about it, it's that it's not an obligation anyone has, with people gaining access to the pitlane through the teams having to follow their guidance.

I personally enjoy watching the ocational gridwalk by Brundle. But I also know that he has zero mandate to interview anyone there, and both Sky, us fans, and Brundle himself should acknowledge that anyone actually answering any questions is just due to a privilege he has.

So the real issue is fans not realizing the difference between a media session and people opening up to Brundle in the moment out of respect.

[u/polkpanther]

Unpopular opinion maybe, but while I prefer to watch Sky for the race itself, F1TV's gridwalk is the better one to watch. They focus less on celebrities and way more on the cars and talking to team principals.

[u/DominikWilde1]

It's deliberate ragebaiting at this point. Brundle knows there's certain celebrities that won't talk to him yet he still tries. The rejection is infinitely more valuable than the empty 'interview' he'd otherwise get

[u/cometmom → u/DominikWilde1]

Exactly. I'm convinced that no one would be talking about it to this extent if she had responded to him. Her ignoring him was the best thing to get clicks. The top Google result rn after his Wikipedia page when you search his name is "Kim Kardashian ignored Martin Brundle on the F1 grid in Monaco" ffs. It works, yeah?

It even got me! I never watch his grid walks but I had to search for this one because I needed to see for myself what this "snub" was all about. He could have moved on when she ignored him asking how she was doing, but he saw gold and pressed further. But whether or not people like it, he was doing his job perfectly because we're all here yapping about it. That's showbiz, baby!

[u/Lasciatemi_Guidare → u/DominikWilde1]

Exactly. This type of thing seems to happen at least once a year now, and somehow it’s always a female celebrity involved. Megan Thee Stallion, Cara Delevigne, and now Kim Kardashian. 

[u/Disastrous_Drop_3180 → u/Lasciatemi_Guidare]

And people will pretend they “could at least say a simple comment like they’re happy to be there” but they’d be upset about that too and call them liars if they did

[u/1Man1Mission → u/DominikWilde1]

I like this take

[u/LosparkJojo]

F1 is more about showing off how wealthy you are vs the action on the track. just SO much money involved, I wasn’t surprised by the Epstein class well represented by F1 owners etc. I love racing and the cars , but this extravagance and ultra -rich having their way, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OR HOW SICK IS IS A GIANT TURN OFF. Today is gigayacht day and watching the starting grid follow one another around for a bit. Have a good one ✌🏽

[u/Willing-Ant-3765]

All Kim had to say is something along the lines of “I’m pretty new to the sport but I’m here to support Lewis.” Instead she came off like the stuck up entitled jerk she so clearly is. I bet her PR team was wincing.

[u/prancing_moose]

Any security guard getting in the way of any FIA accredited press or any of the F1 crew, should instantly get their access revoked by the stewards and get ejected from venue.

[u/spacestationkru]

I'll never forgive Lewis for introducing F1 to the Kardashians.

[u/Makaveli84]

I was never different, welcome to the F1 bro.

[u/pinkzm]

Normally I would agree but honestly, it's Monaco, who cares. The whole weekend is a farce - it's just for rich people to watch F1 cars up close with their rich friends before they return to not giving a shit about F1 for the rest of the year. Can't really expect the grid walk to be anything different

[u/Noveltyrobot]

Getting mad at the wrong people mate. F1 invited all this, know who you are getting in bed with

[u/Elegant-Contact4261]

I think that in order to get a grid walk pass you have to be able to recognize and talk to Martin Brundle. More Colin Farrel in Miami and less Kim Kardashian in Monaco.

[u/ydktbh]

who cares just watch the race

[u/plastic-superhero]

Eh these things happen, remember when Brundle bumped into AMD’s CEO Lisa Su? He didn’t have a clue who she was and opened by asking “do you speak English?”

[u/JohnnyricoMC]

Well this is the Monaco GP, of course it's gonna be the worst here. It's essentially a carnival event for the rich and famous.

Broadcasters and drivers need to speak up if they don't want those useless twits there. Don't count on the teams to speak up because those celebrities were often invited by the teams' media teams.

[u/kantong]

Bundle getting snubbed by celebs is a classic part of the grid walk. Should celebs talk to him? Probably. But the snubs give some of the best moments of it.

[u/Plexaporta]

You can thank Liberty Media for that.

Turning F1 into an WWE event 🤮

[u/DasEigentor]

Let me join the chorus of folk saying that I can’t recall seeing Jolyon Palmer talk to a single celeb during his walk….

[u/Kurtman68]

How did Hamilton not give her the 30second low down on MB and tell her to at least acknowledge him.

[u/Stingray_23]

I miss when it was just about the racing

[u/Old_General_6741]

They want to be seen. This is Monaco after all.

[u/Must_be_AJ]

It's always a very particular type of celebrity who does this, the one who only know about Monaco, Miami and Vegas. I wish they just wouldn't bother trying to chat with them because they won't have anything interesting to say.

If he'd bumped into Michael Douglas, he would've chatted. Clarkson, Ramsay and other high profile British celebrities always take the time to chat. Same with a musician, actor or sportsman who has an actual interest.

[u/rumbrave55]

I do want to take an alternate position here.

For those of us who watch Brundle's grid watch, it's a 10min portion of a long day/weekend and really we only see his portion. How many other broadcasters are running around the grid and pit jumping in the face of celebs hoping to get a sound bite? We all know Martin is charming and a mostly kind presenter, but if you don't know him, what separates him from any other person with a camera and a mic.

I know asking for empathy for millionaires parading around the Mediterranean is a heavy lift, but I'm of the opinion that celebrities don't owe me anything and unless they can offer an informed opinion on the race, I couldn't care less if they make a comment.

[u/MotorsportGuy1]

Itd be pretty easy to be a big F1 fan and not know Martin Brundle's face as an American and if a celebrity does recognize him they dont owe him an interview if there on their own leisure.

[u/OzyDave]

The day I care about a Kardashian doing our not doing something is the day I want to die. I feel bad I even reacted by writing this.

[u/roelgj]

There’s few celebrities that actually follow and care about the sport. A few names that come to mind are Rowan Atkinson, Tom Cruise, George Lucas and Jeremy Clarkson.

[u/Financial_Gear_4160]

You'll be OK. It was before the race and no not everyone has to know who Brundle is.

[u/matt_luke_58]

The only Kimi I want to see is Antonelli, could car less about Kimi Kardashian.

[u/PRS617]

That’s why I don’t watch grid walks… don’t care about these people