Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle's grid walk may be the very definition of car crash television, but the veteran broadcaster proved just how ice-cold it should be in the latest edition of Las Vegas.
Brundle's grid walk, which takes full advantage of live television, is a must-see appetizer at every F1 race.
Maybe he'll get a healthy interview, maybe he'll get a cold shoulder, and maybe Brundle himself will make a mistake.
Or, like in Las Vegas, maybe Brundle will be icy.
Since the start of the Las Vegas Grid Walk, it has been reported that 77 celebrities, as well as motorsport luminaries and the drivers themselves, have been on the list to walk the grid, so it's sure to be a tough one. It was obvious.
So while Brundle may be picky, he made the most of it from the get-go.
When the cameras cut to him, he was almost immediately elbowed for an interview with Petra, the daughter of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
After introducing her, Brundle immediately stroked her and said, Hello, how are you doing? If you don't mind, you can go this way first (pointing in the opposite direction) and then I'll go…but thank you for the heads up,'' Brundle added as he walked.
Brundle complained that the packed grid kept all the drivers in the garage and that he couldn't find anyone.
“I don't know if I'll be able to find anyone today,” Brundle said.
In the 10-minute corner, Brundle “avoided” Gordon Ramsay, a regular sight on the grid, and golf star Rory McIlroy, whom he interviewed earlier this week.
But he will track legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who is producing F1 movies with Brad Pitt, Olympic 100m gold medalist Noah Lyles, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal and Sylvester Stallone. I was able to do that.
But when he was approached for a conversation with former Playboy Playmate of the Year turned actor and media personality Jenny McCarthy, Brundle kept moving.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he said.
McCarthy, who is also a judge on “The Masked Singer,” has also been criticized for promoting anti-vaccine topics and being called the “face of the anti-vaccine movement,” but reportedly says he disputes this label.
However, F1 fans noticed the strange side of the situation.
One fan said: “I still laugh at how that guy (sorry I don't know his name) had no one to talk to. (Someone) leaned over and said we had Jenny McCarthy. But he answered without gratitude.”
“Watching Martin Brundle curve Jenny McCarthy's handler on live TV was hilarious, LOL,” wrote another.
A third commented: “Martin Brundle had no desire to speak to Jenny McCarthy, but her agent and friend agreed to interview her (and Donnie Wahlberg) at #BrandleGridWalk. The only good thing about this coming at such terrible times, even though I wanted it to be so laughable, was Jenny McCarthy.'' #LasVegasGP. ”
A fourth wrote: “Jenny McCarthy witnessed the outrage over Martin Brundle's indifference to tonight's #LasVegasGP.”
A fifth added: “Martin Brundle just quit interviewing Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg to find better celebrities on the #F1 grid in Las Vegas. Funny.”
Brundle then approached Williams driver Franco Colapinto, who was eliminated in Q2 in Saturday's qualifying, at the front.
The pair had some drama early in the season, with the 21-year-old Argentine appearing to disrespect the veteran on Sky Sports.
The issue was then resolved between the two parties, with both sides taking responsibility for the situation.
Brundle's grid walks often make headlines for the wrong reasons.
In Monaco this season, a security guard tried to pull Brundle away from soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé, but the veteran commentator replied: “It's okay, I'm in charge here.”
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May also came under fire for refusing to speak to Brundle at the British Grand Prix.
Although Brundle shrugged off the disrespect, some fans are wondering what the next step is, especially considering the likes of Megan Thee Stallion and Cara Delevingne have been trolled for disparaging Brundle in the past. I had doubts about my desire to proceed.
Megan Thee Stallion's disdain even led to a rule change by the FIA banning bodyguards from the grid.
Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Australian rookie Oscar Piastri was badly burned when a Sky Sports presenter reprimanded him mid-answer.
In Miami, it was three-time F1 champion Jackie Stewart who was thrust into the spotlight after he was almost manhandled during a grid walk prank.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Hollywood power couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones charmed fans with a classy interview ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
It was musician Sam Ryder who drew widespread praise for his infectious banter during a conversation with Brundle at the British Grand Prix.
At the Canadian Grand Prix, motorsport pioneer Mary McGee had a heartwarming exchange with Brundle that touched fans.
