Martin Brundle offers Sir Brian May an apology after F1 grid-walk gaffe

For those who have enjoyed watching Formula 1 coverage on British screens since the turn of the Millennium, Martin Brundle's grid-walk prior to a race star has become one of the most beloved aspects of the coverage.

Having initially produced the segment with ITV as part of a broadcasting team with Murray Walker, Brundle took the concept with him when he moved to Sky Sports F1 from the BBC, following his time with ITV.

However, the feature hasn't been without its controversial or embarrassing moments, with the latest coming just before Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Celebrities are often picked out on the grid due to their profile, although many aren't truly interested in F1 and struggle to answer questions when put on the spot.

Brad Pitt was one of the first to face fan backlash after ignoring Brundle's repeated attempts for an interview during the 2022 US GP grid walk.

This interaction remains one of F1's most awkward moments. However, Pitt later sent a note to Brundle, explaining the incident, which Brundle appreciated.

What happened between Martin Brundle and Sir Brian May?

A similar situation occurred at the 2024 British GP with Sir Brian May, lead guitarist of Queen, who was present to wave the checkered flag. May ignored Brundle twice during the grid walk but later apologized.

"By the way, apologies to a Mr. Brundle, absolutely no intention of snubbing you. All you see is someone who is nervous of speaking about something of which he has little understanding, and anxious to get to where he is supposed to be," May wrote on his website.

Brundle, though, took the matter to social media and offered his own apology, suggesting that he was entirely to blame for the incident.

"It is me who should be apologizing to Sir Brian May, not him to me for the grid-walk on Sunday at Silverstone," Brundle posted on X, formally Twitter.

"I didn't address him as Sir Brian, and I shouldn't have approached him twice when he wasn't up for a chat on live TV.

"Nobody is ever obliged to talk to me on the grid, or anywhere else for that matter."