Colapinto explains Brundle grid walk snub in Austin

Williams rookie Franco Colapinto has explained why he seemed to ignore Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle during the latter's pre-race grid walk at last weekend's US Grand Prix, explaining that it wasn't personal but simply a case of focusing on the race.

Amid the grid's commotion, Brundle reached out to the young Argentine who hurried past without acknowledging the former F1 driver's presence.

Brundle, known for his lively grid walk segments, commented on the situation during Sky's broadcast.

“Must go and introduce myself to Franco,” he said. “He looked at me like I was trying to mug him or something. I think he thought I was trying to steal his umbrella, to be honest. I'll go and say hello to him.”

Speaking to the media on Thursday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Colapinto clarified what happened.

“There isn't much of a story,” he said.

“I spoke with Williams many times and I don't have much of experience on this, of having first going to the grid, then waiting there for 30 minutes, jumping out of the car, walking around the paddock and everyone wanted to make new interviews.”

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Colapinto emphasized that his priority was staying mentally prepared.

“I have been quite focused before the races, you know,” he added. “And Connor [Bean, Williams press officer], he has been really helping me not do interviews on the grid, not on the grid, but in the paddock and all those things and being focused on what I have to do, that is driving of course.”

Despite the misunderstanding, Colapinto expressed his utmost respect for Brundle, acknowledging his contributions to the sport.

“Martin, of course, he's been extremely massive - a mega, mega, mega driver and he left a legacy in the sport as well. He never did any interview [with] me and it was, at least for me, not a great moment to be speaking on the camera,” he continued.

Colapinto further added that he was running late for the national anthem and had his mind set on racing.

“I was going to the national anthem and I was very late,” he said. “And yeah, I was focused on the race, I was focused on driving and I was just fully into that. I didn't want to speak too much.

“I love speaking now [in media sessions] and when I jump out of the car, but when I am in the racing mode, I try to be a bit more into my role and not to be giving interviews. That's it.”

On Thursday, Colapinto and Brundle got together in the paddock for a Sky F1 segment that will be broadcast this weekend.

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