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Martin Brundle, a Sky Sports commentator, has apologized to the legendary Queen guitarist, Brian May, after an awkward interaction during the grid walk at the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
During the traditional grid walk, Brundle tried to interview May, who was present at Silverstone as a guest of the Mercedes team. Approaching May, Brundle asked, “Brian, are you up for a chat with Sky?” May declined, prompting Brundle to respond, “You don’t need to know anything. Nice to see you on the grid. Thank you very much.” Addressing the viewers, Brundle added, “We don’t want to make his life difficult. He said he doesn’t know enough about F1. I respect that. He doesn’t want to pretend he knows. That’s absolutely understandable.”
Brian May addressed the situation on his website, explaining his perspective. “I had a great day at Silverstone thanks to the kindness of the Mercedes team, and my grandson had some truly historic birthday moments,” May noted. “And, by the way, I apologize to Mr. Brundle. I had absolutely no intention of snubbing him. What you see is someone who is nervous about talking about something he knows little about and anxious to get to where he needs to be.”
Shortly afterward, Brundle took to social media to apologize. He wrote on his X account, “It is I who should be apologizing to Sir Brian May, not him to me, for the grid walk incident on Sunday at Silverstone. I did not address him as Sir Brian, and I shouldn’t have approached him twice when he was not willing to chat live on TV. No one is obliged to talk to me on the grid, or anywhere else, for that matter.”
The exchange highlights the unpredictable nature of live television and the challenges of interacting with celebrities at a high-profile event like the British Grand Prix. Both Brundle and May handled the situation with grace, emphasizing mutual respect.
Brundle, known for his direct and approachable style during grid walks, often interviews celebrities and important figures, bringing a human touch to the event. However, this interaction with May underscores the importance of sensitivity and respecting the preferences of guests.
May, on the other hand, made it clear that his refusal was not an intentional snub but a nervous reaction to talking about a subject he does not master. His message highlighted his gratitude for the experience at Silverstone and his admiration for Brundle’s work.
This incident serves as a reminder that even in a dynamic sport like Formula 1, understanding and respecting the people involved is essential. As Brundle continues to bring enthusiasm and insights to F1 fans, May’s response reinforces the importance of empathy and mutual consideration, whether on the race track or off.
