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Topics: Formula 1, Motorsport
Jayden Collins
F1 pundit Martin Brundle has fired back at critics of his now-infamous grid-walk blunder with Brad Pitt.
The Sky Sports presenter has built a cult following for his pre-race strolls across the grid where he attempts to have a chat with every celebrity he sees.
In typical Brundle fashion, he wasted no time in getting amongst it at the United States Grand Prix, spotting none other than Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt.
The famous actor was not wanting anything to do with Brundle and it made for incredibly-uncomfortable scenes that went viral online.
The incident was thrust back into the spotlight with fellow Formula 1 presenter Will Buxton taking issue with Brundle’s approach, claiming he knew Pitt wouldn’t be available for a chat.
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He tweeted: “Another USGP. Another reminder that all grid-accredited media are given a list at EVERY RACE of which media invitee/celebrity is and isn’t approachable for interview.
“Pitt hadn’t been on any of the days he was present.”
Adding: “For reference on F1TV our grid walk is always about the cars and the drivers. Who is where and why.
“If we grab an interview it is rarely with a ‘celeb’ unless we know they are invested in the sport and available to chat.
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“Because for us the celebs are the ones in the cars.”
Brundle took exception to the comments, claiming they were fabricated.
He replied: “That’s simply untrue Will. Don’t make things up to suit your narrative.”
However, Buxton hit back and sent through a screen recording of a list of celebrities available for interview being provided.
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He said: “It’s really not though. Here’s Austin’s. Those who don’t wish to be interviewed (it’s rare people ask not to be) are communicated to us verbally as well you know.
“Must apologise as I believed doc itself was sent to all tv as routine and it now appears it might not be.”
However, he claims were refuted by F1 journalists Chris Medland and Jennie How who claimed they had never seen such a list in their time reporting on the sport.
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F1 TV presenter Karun Chandhok also took issue with celebrities blowing off media while on the grid.
He wrote: “I think the point is – why aren’t they approachable? All our passes have the caveat that we can be recorded when we enter the paddock by Netflix for example.
“If you’re especially going to be allowed onto the grid, there should be a certain expectation to at least speak to media.”