Martin Brundle makes awkward mistake during Hugh Grant F1 interview
Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle had an uncomfortable encounter with actor Hugh Grant during his signature Silverstone grid walk.
A pre-race interview at the 2026 British Grand Prix turned awkward on Sunday, July 5, when veteran Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle mistakenly questioned actor Hugh Grant about a television series in which he does not appear.
Brundle, 67, approached Grant during his signature grid walk at Silverstone. The interaction began smoothly, with Grant, 65, identifying himself as a big fan
of Ferrari, the luxury Italian automaker that invited him to the event. Grant attended the race as a guest of Ferrari and brought his two sons, 13-year-old John and 11-year-old Felix. He was spotted in the VIP section standing next to Brian May of Queen before Brundle beckoned him over for a quick word
.
Media additions
The exchange shifted when Brundle transitioned from racing to Grant's acting career. According to The Daily Beast, Brundle asked: Are you doing another round of The Gentleman soon, because I really loved that?
Grant, who appeared to not hear the question initially, leaned in and asked the reporter to repeat himself.
The question referred to the 2024 Netflix series created by Guy Ritchie. However, Grant only appeared in Ritchie's 2019 film of the same name, where he played a cockney private investigator named Fletcher who pursues information regarding drug kingpin Mickey Pearson. Grant paused and clarified the mix-up.
"Well, I did the film of The Gentlemen. I haven't seen the TV series."
Hugh Grant, actor, via Yahoo UK
Brundle appeared flustered and red in the face
, according to Metro. He attempted to recover by telling Grant the show was good and that he must watch it, before abruptly ending the interview.
"I've got 10 seconds left for the national anthem. Good to see you on the grid."
Martin Brundle, broadcaster, via The Daily Beast
While Aol reported that Grant kept his cool and did not seem angry, other outlets noted the actor's history of being cantankerous
and grumpy
during press engagements. Yahoo UK cited Grant's brief responses to Ashley Graham at the 2023 Oscars, where he told her he was barely in
the film Glass Onion and answered My suit
when asked what he was wearing. He also previously described the experience of having cameras directed at his face for the movie Wonka as being like a crown of thorns
and very uncomfortable
. In a 2009 interview with Elle, Grant stated, I'm grumpy
, and noted he took a break from acting in 2005 due to a bad attitude
.
The Grid Walk Pattern
The encounter is the latest in a series of viral, often uncomfortable, moments associated with Brundle's grid walks. He has a reputation for encountering celebrities who are either uninformed or unwilling to follow the established etiquette of the paddock. According to The Independent, celebrities on the grid are expected to speak to Brundle when approached.
- The "Cold" Shoulder: Just last month, Kim Kardashian reportedly snubbed Brundle at the Monaco Grand Prix while supporting her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton. Despite Brundle noting that
normally people have a quick chat with us
, Kardashian gave him a blank stare and walked away. - The Refusal: In 2023, model Cara Delevingne declined an interview at Silverstone, prompting Brundle to tell her entourage that
everybody needs to talk on the grid, that’s the deal now
. - The Identity Mix-up: During the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, Brundle mistook Lewis Capaldi's brother for the singer and unintentionally ignored Capaldi's handshake, forcing the singer to shake his own hand.
Comparison of "The Gentlemen" Projects
| Feature | The Gentlemen (Film) | The Gentlemen (Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2019 | 2024 |
| Lead Actor | Matthew McConaughey | Theo James |
| Hugh Grant's Role | Fletcher (Private Investigator) | Not Featured |
| Platform/Availability | ITVX | Netflix |
The confusion is partly attributed to the fact that both the film and the series were created by Guy Ritchie. The Netflix series won an Emmy for outstanding stunt coordination for comedy programming and is currently preparing for its second season. According to Newswav, filming for the second season wrapped in October 2025. Star Theo James confirmed in April that the show will be released this autumn, describing the new season as darker
and a little wild
.
The race itself saw Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc take the top spot, finishing ahead of British drivers George Russell, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton.
