Brundle’s grid walk is car-crash TV gold
ASpontaneity results in good and bad moments
fter nearly two years away, Martin Brundle’s grid walk returned with a bang at the United States Grand Prix. He was clearly excited to get back to his roving-reporter role, and what better place than Austin, with its legions of drivers and celebrities.
The levity offered in his preamble is a world away from the insight offered during his commentary and as a pundit. It is a shame that he is no longer at every race on the calendar, but if any broadcaster has earned a less punishing schedule it is Brundle. With no disrespect intended to his replacements in the commentary box, it is noticeable when he is absent.
Brundle has made the grid walk his own over the decades, with many memorable moments – and some cringeworthy ones. Who can forget Ozzy Osbourne talking (barely) about his Broadway musical about Rasputin on the grid in Montreal? Or when Kimi Raikkonen informed Brundle that he missed a speech by Pele in Brazil as he was emptying his bowels?
Within two minutes among the melee in Texas there was another one for the highlights reel, an exceptional television moment. Approaching rapper Megan Thee Stallion, Brundle tries to intercept. He tries valiantly to find a way through the perimeter of bodies protecting her. She seems receptive and willing to engage.
“Megan Thee Stallion, you’re a freestyle rapper. Have you got any rap for us today on Formula One?” She laughs openly at his request before telling him: “I have no rap today. I’m sorry!”
Brundle tries to continue the interview before a concerned member of her entourage butts in, presumably telling the presenter where to go. Brundle is having none of it. “I can do that, because I just did,” he says.
It was a classic of the awkward when-two-different-worlds-collide genre.
The day after, Brundle suggested the entourage should “learn some manners and respect on our patch”.
The request for a rap was verging towards ludicrous, of course. Did it lack respect? Could he have been more prepared? Perhaps. But should there be a respect for the sport by engaging with seasoned broadcasters embedded in F1, especially if you are fortunate enough to be granted a privileged spot on the grid in the moments before a grand prix? The rapper seemed happy to have a chat, but it was her crew who were acting like Brundle was a man off the street who had wandered backstage at one of her shows; not an accredited, experienced broadcaster working his day job.
In a more general sense, this is often a PR exercise for the celebrities, so what is to be gained but the bad press if you ignore questions? NBA hall-of-famer Chris Bosh was welcoming and happy enough to give Sky a few minutes of his time, though Serena Williams was having none of it, twice. “A double fault,” Brundle said.
A low-key lack of deference in this instance is kind of the point of the approach. Brundle is not David Frost and Megan Thee Stallion (or whoever else…) is not Richard Nixon. A positive reply to his silly question was not expected.
What is the point of it all, then? Is it for insight, promotion or comedy? Does anybody get anything from it at all? Nobody is after insight on strategy in these Brundle v celebs encounters, but they are often a few moments of bad-but-good television. There could be the opportunity to do something more planned and less off the hoof if F1 really wanted to get the best out of these encounters. Would that be an improvement? Unlikely.
The chaotic nature of these interviews is what makes the grid walk what it is. Spontaneity results in good and bad moments. And moments so bad they are good. The viewing experience for the fan does not need to be any more polished.
This may all come, one day. But, for now, where is the harm in a bit of delightful and lighthearted
awkwardness? At least until Brundle hangs up his microphone.