Formula 1 fans were left fuming as they tuned in to the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix to find no Martin Brundle grid walk, with Nico Rosberg also drawing criticism from viewers who felt he appeared to break an unwritten rule with Lewis Hamilton.
Missing Grid Walk
Formula 1 fans tuning into Sky Sports' coverage of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix were left taken aback and let down by Martin Brundle's absence from the pre-race grid walk. The beloved segment is typically presented by Brundle when he's at the circuit and, given his attendance in the Barcelona paddock this weekend, it was expected he would be on the grid walk as usual. But he found himself in the commentary booth instead as Sky colleagues Karun Chandhok and Nico Rosberg assumed responsibility for the grid walk.
"Where's Martin Brundle?" fans asked on social media, while many left disapproving emojis and GIFs while questioning: "No Brundle grid walk?" For many, the Sky stalwart's absence was most notable in an awkward incident at the end of the grid walk, when drivers were assuming their spots for the national anthem, and Rosberg tried to speak with his former Mercedes team-mate, Lewis Hamilton.
Awkward Rosberg-Hamilton Exchange
The Ferrari driver was sporting headphones as he marched towards the platform, and merely turned to indicate he wouldn't be chatting before continuing onwards, reports the Express. The outcome would almost certainly have been identical had Brundle been conducting the grid walk, save for one crucial distinction: Brundle understands Hamilton dislikes speaking to anyone on the grid apart from his team-mates.
Many F1 fans highlighted this as they voiced their frustration at Rosberg's bid to engage his former team-mate in conversation. "Why would Rosberg try to talk to Hamilton on the grid when Martin Brundle has known since 2007 that LH will not talk on the grid?" questioned one fan, who suggested the German might have been "trying to put him off".
Another disgruntled viewer said: "Nico knows Lewis won't answer questions on the grid before the race, he's got an agreement with Sky that they wont do it, and Nico knows this and still he sticks the mic under his nose as he walks to his spot."
A third added: "Come on, Rosberg, you know Lewis doesn't do pre-race interviews on the grid..."
Mixed Reactions
Not all viewers were unimpressed, however, as some welcomed seeing something slightly different from Brundle's typical grid walk offerings. One fan observed: "For all the hate Nico Rosberg gets, at least he's asking sensible questions on this grid walk! Not just looking to ask random Z-listers, 'Who are you supporting?'"
Another commented: "As previously stated, just tuned in for the start of the GP. The grid walk is so more refreshing with two guys that stick to decent interviews with team members instead of Brundle and his annoying, 'Let's go speak to someone who doesn't want to talk to me'."
