HOLLYWOOD star Brad Pitt awkwardly snubbed Martin Brundle as the pundit did his traditional grid walk before the US Grand Prix.
The Sky Sports pundit often talks to drivers and celebrities ahead of the races as the TV coverage builds towards lights-out.
The pre-race grid walk was axed when Covid was raging across Europe but returned last year to the delight of fans.
But Brad Pitt appeared to not be in the mood to chat as he ignored Brundle’s attempts to start conversation.
Pitt – who is staring in a F1-themed movie – rebuffed the pundit’s questions before turning around and giving a brief answer after Brundle asks about the film.
He said he cannot give any information about it yet as it was “top secret.”
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When Brundle then tries to ask him about his enjoyment of F1, the famous actor palms him off with a dismissive “thank you, man.”
The awkward encounter was similar to Brundle’s last trip to Austin when he memorably clashed with the security detail around American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
His iconic grid walk also saw him make a hilarious blunder as he mixed up his American sport stars during a trip to the inaugural Miami Grand Prix earlier this year.
Fans were left unhappy with Pitt’s attitude.
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One wrote on Twitter: “Brad Pitt, you’re doing a movie on F1 and don’t know who Martin Brundle is? It’s *the* grid walk. Stop and talk to him.”
Another said: “Not sure I understand the logic of Brad Pitt not wanting to spend just a moment to talk to Martin Brundle during the grid walk.
“I mean, this is his moment to connect with those F1 fans that would see his F1 movie.”
Unlike Pitt, music star Ed Sheeran did stop to have a chat with Brundle.
The grid walk preceded an action-packed Texas race as Lewis Hamilton came within six laps of his first win of the season.
But he was pipped in the closing stages by his old title rival Max Verstappen who had to fight his way back to the front after a botched pit stop.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel continued to end his F1 career on a high as he briefly lead the race until a dodgy pit stop of his own.
The German fan favourite then had to fight his way back into the points – and pulled off a brilliant last lap overtake on the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.
The race also had two safety car periods with one being triggered after a dramatic crash between Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
