Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola snubs Formula 1 icon Martin Brundle in awkward encounter

A painfully awkward exchange with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was the undeniable highlight of Sunday’s grid walk.

Martin Brundle with Pep Guardiola.

Martin Brundle has done it again.

The Formula 1 pundit and commentator is renowned for his grid walk interviews, a trademark contribution to the sport’s television coverage since its inception in 1997.

Fans have fallen in love with the segment, where he strolls down the pit straight and thrusts the microphone into the face of any big name in his sight.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the finale of the 2022 season, Brundle crossed paths with T20 World Cup champion Ben Stokes and Olympic icon Usain Bolt.

But his awkward exchange with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was the undeniable highlight on Sunday night AEDT.

Brundle approached the football icon on the grid for a quick chat, but Guardiola was not impressed.

“Pep, Martin Brundle, Sky F1,” Brundle started.

Guardiola responded: “I spoke already with Sky.”

Brundle continued: “Did you?”

Guardiola replied: “I spoke twice with Sky.”

Pierre Gasly with Martin Brundle. Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images

MB: “Okay, well three times lucky then.”

PG: “Yeah, good, I’m lucky.”

MB: “Second in the championship for Man City and you’ve got six weeks holiday now.”

PG: “No talk about football today, come on. No talk about football today.”

MB: “Let’s talk about F1 then, tell me about some F1.”

Guardiola then walked away from Brundle, who was asked by a security official to move on.

“It’s all right, I’ve been thrown out of better places than this,” Martin said.

Manchester City is not scheduled to play another Premier League fixture until December 22, with the football competition paused during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Delighted Pep Guardiola's now on the naughty list of people that have been rude to Martin Brundle on the grid of an F1 race.

— James Wharton (@jameswharton) November 20, 2022

This was far from Brundle’s first failed interview attempts — awkward moments with Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt and American rapper Megan Thee Stallion prompted social media storms.

At the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday, Red Bull champion Max Verstappen won a record-extending 15th race to finish his successful 2022 campaign in style.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was second and Mexico’s Sergio Perez rounded out the podium, ensuring Leclerc finished second overall in the drivers’ championship.

Australian driver Ricciardo celebrated with a burnout on the Yas Marina circuit as he farewelled F1, at least for now.

It was also four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s last race before he heads into retirement, while Haas’ Mick Schumacher and Williams’ Nicholas Latifi won’t be on the grid next year either.