Brundle tells F1 celebrity guests to 'learn some manners'

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Martin Brundle has urged celebrities visiting the F1 grid - and especially their entourage - to "learn some manners and respect our patch", as the Sky F1 commentator reacted to a few awkward encounters during his grid walk in Austin.

The US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas brought out its fair share of celebs last weekend to witness the action.

While the likes of Ben Stiller, golfer Rory Mcllroy or legendary NBA player Shaquille O'Neal - a class act by any celebrity metric - were all smiles and readily available to convey their excitement, others strolled down the grid like royalty, escorted by their usual cohort of overblown bodyguards and followers.

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Brundle attempted to get a word from rapper Megan Thee Stallion when her heavy-weight protector intervened before he was rightly dismissed by MTS.

"I think she’s happy… okay boss," a brave Brundle told the bodyguard before asking the artist if she had "any rap for F1".

"I have no rap today, I’m sorry…" courteously replied MTS. But things got awkward when our Brundle asked MTS who she was supporting, just before our Sky F1 man was disdainfully pushed aside by one of the rapper's hangers-on who told him "you can't do that".

"I can do that, because I did," fired back an unimpressed Brundle.

Footage of the encounter went viral on social media, along with another moment when the former F1 driver turned pundit approached Serena Williams for a word from the tennis legend who just walked on and ignored the Briton who, as ever the witty one, was left to tell the viewers that "it's a double fault".

On Monday, given the amount of exposure the colorful moments had received, Brundle took to Twitter to offer celebrities and their entourage a few words of advice.

"I have felt under pressure on the grid before but by people called Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Mansell, Piquet and so on," said Brundle.

"Bodyguards visiting the grid for the first time don’t bother me, everyone’s got a job to do, but they could maybe learn some manners and respect on our patch."

As they say, the ability to stay calm and polite, even when people upset you, is a superpower. Well done, Martin!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.