Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle experienced another famously awkward grid walk moment when actress Ana de Armas declined his request for a quick interview. The incident occurred on the starting grid at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7, 2025, just before Lando Norris secured his world championship title, ending Max Verstappen's dominant streak.
The Awkward Exchange
Brundle, the 66-year-old former Formula 1 driver turned pundit, approached the 37-year-old James Bond and Ballerina star as she stood on the grid wearing a VIP lanyard. Introducing himself with his microphone, Brundle said, "Ana, Martin Brundle, Sky F1," before asking, "Can I have a quick chat?"
While Ana de Armas's exact response was unclear on the broadcast, Brundle was heard replying, "Ur, it's up to you," after which the actress quickly moved away, leaving the veteran broadcaster without his coveted pre-race interview.
Fan Reaction and Historical Context
Formula 1 fans swiftly took to social media platform X to express their disappointment. User @abishekdas73 noted, "Martin Brundle got ducked by Ana De Armas," while @sewissupremacy commented, "AnaDeArmas being ignorant disappointed me. Like why bother going on the grid if you're not gonna speak to Martin?"
This is not the first time a celebrity has turned down Brundle during his chaotic and beloved grid walks. In 2023, model Cara Delevingne was widely criticised as 'rude' for shutting down a chat at Silverstone. Delevingne later explained on X that she was told by a PR representative to say no, adding, "Thank you for seeing both sides."
The most infamous incident occurred at the 2021 United States Grand Prix, when rapper Megan Thee Stallion's security team physically shoved Brundle aside. This led Formula 1 organisers to introduce an informal 'Brundle clause', stating that celebrities invited onto the grid cannot bring security and are strongly encouraged to engage with the media.
The Love-Hate Relationship with the Grid Walk
Despite the segments being a fan favourite for their unscripted and often chaotic nature, Martin Brundle has openly confessed his dislike for them. In 2022, he tweeted, "There's a reason why I've never watched back an F1 gridwalk in a quarter of a century of doing them. You have no idea how much I dislike doing them."
He has reflected on the pressure, stating, "I have felt under pressure on the grid before but by people called Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Mansell, Piquet and so on. Bodyguards visiting the grid for the first time don't bother me... but they could maybe learn some manners and respect on our patch."
The grid walks have produced countless memorable moments, from Jeremy Clarkson giving a tipsy interview to Brundle mistakenly interviewing Lewis Capaldi's brother. While most encounters are good-natured, the occasional rejection sparks debate about celebrity access and media obligations at premium sporting events.
Not all of Brundle's attempts were in vain at the Abu Dhabi event. He successfully secured an interview with legendary footballer Thierry Henry, without needing to resort to his usual failsafe of seeking out chef Gordon Ramsay.
