Celebrities at F1 events

Are they value added or do you see it as a way to get noticed and feed their needy nature for attention. I clearly think the latter. They are not fans. Why be there and why give them any attention? I know……it’s Liberty’s way of trying to show the American audience that F1 is “cool”. Meanwhile, I think “why is that person even there? Martin Brundel is 100% more of a celebrity to F1 fans than these woke Hollywood buffoons.”

*edit* This isn’t meant to be P&R. I’m genuinely interested in hearing if others think celebrities should be showcased at F1 events. I personally don’t think so and am open to hearing other’s points of view.

 

I guess liberty and f1 and the teams can invite any guests they like, but I couldn’t care less what celebritards think about F1 or anything else. I see no reason for them to be on the grid and frankly I wish Brundle would quit chasing them. I think it’s kind of demeaning to him.

 

I agree with you. I don't mind a grid walk to speak to people related to racing (principals, mechanics, drivers), but please could they keep the "celebrities" where they belong: like at the bar !
I often cringe when I see Brundle trying to engage with total unknowns.

 

I think Brundle does it to prove a point, rather than anything else. He's interested to see if they actually like F1 or not or are just there to promote their own being.

I do agree though, I don't like it when celebs are invited to it and show zero interest in the actual racing. Just there chatting with their celeb buddies. Rubs me wrong that. I loved it when Keanu Reeves came earlier this year and had no idea what to expect but was really into it. That was fantastic to see. Him going with what I think was a photographer to the best spots so they could get to closest to the cars, in the absolute pouring rain...that was absolutely fantastic to see.

Brad Pitt had the decency to write Brundle a note regarding his ignoring on the grid, from what I saw of him Pitt seemed really interested as well.

But those other Bozo's? No thanks.

 

Celebrities are fine with me. Celebrities go to all kinds of sports. Nothing wrong with Serena Williams going to support Lewis even if she knows nothing about F1. Regular fans may bring their wife or a buddy along that knows nothing about racing, and they still have a good time. A celebrity can do what they want to do, they are grown adults.
They have already taken away the grid girls and engine sound, let the celebrities come if they want to.

 

Most of the celebrities are clueless about F1 and they show it and most don't know who Martin Brundle is.....except ex-F1 drivers.

 

If they are a fan of F1, then they are absolutely welcome and I encourage their presence on the grid. Sadly, most of them couldn't tell you how many wheels an F1 car has. When they snub Martin Brundle on the grid walk, it's not only disrespectful, but it makes them look bad since they are only their for PR anyways.

When a celeb is a fan shows excitement and enthusiasm, it can be an entertaining interaction.

 

Race drivers snub Brundle every race. The celebrities are fine, they don't have to talk if they don't want to. Heck I'm not sure if I'll want to talk to Brundle, I'm trying to enjoy the atmosphere.

 

I liked the Hobbs, Machess combo better than present!

 

It's all part of the Americanisation of F1. They are trying to turn it into NASCAR.

 

Why does anyone care at all. If they paid or were invited they can be there, so where does fan or not fan matter LOL???????????? What an utter non issue. If they get annoyed by Brundle turn the sound down. No one has to speak to anyone. Where is that required on the paddock pass or ticket LOL. Celebs and notables are nothing new in F1 or any other major sporting event in the world.

 

At least they have now prevented body guards from the grid.

I think the grid is going to be a problem eventually for one of the teams given the crush of humanity.

 

I present Exhibit A:

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My favorite celebrity grid walk moment was when Katy Perry told Martin Brundle that her “real dad” was an F1 Driver. When he asked who, she replied that oh, I don’t know his name, but Mom said he was one.

What a…. Never mind.

 

I've met a number of "celebs" at F- 1 Races... some are ok, some not. the two that actually were super nice and actual big fans were Matt LeBlanc and Michael Douglas. Met both at Austin... LeBlanc was totally into the technology, and I just tagged along listening and we got to talking, Never mentioned Friends - but we did talk Top Gear... Michael Douglas we talked more about cars - he drives a tesla every day and has some muscle cars... one from Streets of San Francisco that he had all souped up...

Antonio Banderas and his wife were nice - but really are alonso fans... Gordon Ramsey ... a bit snobby - finally we talked food and he was semi interested...

the worst celeb was the singer from black eye peas... guy... cant think of his name.. huge entourage - in the middle of the suite... body guards ... complete pita.

 

Interesting re: Gordon. He's always been a wildly engaging and polite chap every time I've been around him

 

Don't care about celebs at races, they have zero impact on the racing, and I doubt they improve the parking or concession stands!

 

I've met him 3 x he always seems better when my wife is around! ... also seems very jittery!

 

My guess is some of them don't really want to be bothered and are perhaps there to see what F1 is all about (if they aren't a fan already) and seeing reporters chasing them puts them off. Others are definitely there for their own benefit (and their fans) and only want to be seen there and perhaps talk to others they feel are relevant to them.
No idea why Martin chases after some of them, if I were him I'd leave them alone. I'd prefer he speaks to the drivers or those related to F1 or the race, he's making the grid walk painful, but he seems to acknowledge it's sometimes painful and meant to be. Odd.

I recall a recent race where he approached Ben Stiller, knowing Ben doesn't do interviews like that, but Ben had a little chat with him. Brad Pitt blew him off, but again, I think was because he had no idea who he was and just thought he was a journalist trying to get in his face. Again, I don't think all the celebs go there looking to get on camera, some for sure, but not all.

 

I'm actually surprised the drivers are willing to talk right before the race. I would think they are in the zone and concentrating on the race, not giving interviews. However, it is part of the job, unless you are Kimi. lol

 

Martin was surprised Alonso chatted with him the last race, he said usually Alonso is a no-go prerace.

 

I can remember Wide World of Sports' always had coverage of Elizabeth Taylor (with and without Richard Burton), French and Italian stars, and some real race fans like Peter Ustinov and James Garner. I'm sure they too had agents and handlers around but in the background. Nothing new under the sun other than the social media pestilence. Now get out of my yard...

 

There was a lady fan this week who spoke to brundle
He asked her who she was and she answered she was just a fan of his and meeting him was just the best
Classic highlight

 

Some are some are not. For example:: George Harrison was a real fan and did some good music imitating the start of F1 race.
Oh, and BTW: George did not need to get noticed..........he had already had enough of that.....

 

I believe Brundle chases the celebs because he’s told to as part of his job. He has an ear piece in and a producer is telling him who’s near and where and who they are. He does seem to have a bit of a grin though when they ignore him or act like an ass.

Glad he stopped Tre Cool… Green Day drummer. Tre’s a car guy but new to F1. Tre was cool…he’s a drummer! Lol