Security almost manhandle three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart on Miami GP grid walk

An F1 legend has been confronted by security in a wild moment as a TV reporter attempted to score an interview at the Miami Grand Prix.

Jackie Stewart broke all the rules.

Martin Brundle’s grid walk has once again become the highlight of the Grand Prix weekend, with the F1 presenter’s pre-race hijinks having become what many look forward to above the actual racing action.

Ahead of what would be a pedestrian Miami Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen yet again marching to his third win of the season, and the fourth Red Bull 1-2 finish from five Grands Prix this year, Brundle was tasked with navigating the inevitable rush of celebrities and influencers that flood the grid.

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While Brundle being snubbed by celebrities is always a comedic highlight, this time it wasn’t Brundle being snubbed by a celebrity.

The Sky Sports maestro attempted to get ahold of Roger Federer who was in a roped off area in the Mercedes section.

His attempts to shout out to the Swiss master failed, but thankfully Jackie Stewart was on hand.

The three-time world champion wasn’t letting a piece of rope stand in his way as he strolled into the cordoned off section.

Jackie Stewart (front) was confronted by security on the F1 grid at Miami. Photo: Fox Sports

Security attempted to get in his way as Brundle nervously waited for them to kick him out, but George Russell came in to keep security at bay as Stewart got his hands on Federer and delivered him to Brundle for a 30-second interview.

While Sir Jackie was as cool as ever, Brundle was less so as he watched security confront his hero.

“Don’t beat up Jackie Stewart!” Brundle said on the broadcast.

Elsewhere on the grid, Brundle tried not to make the same mistakes he did in last year’s viral performance, getting a hold of Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero, a year on from mistaking the NBA’s number one overall pick for NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I found Paolo Banchero,” he said.

“I found him last year, I just didn’t get the name right! What a year you’ve had since you made me infamous.”

Martin Brundle mistook Paolo Banchero for NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2022. Photo: Fox Sports

Banchero made an instant impact in his first NBA season this year, leading the Magic’s scoring with 20 points a game at the tender age of 20, and was happy to let the mistaken identity of last year slide.

“It’s been a hell of a year and I’m honoured that you know my name now. It’s been a hell of a year and you’re great at what you do,” he said.

“It’s just a rush being here. Everyone looking over, all these celebrities walking the track.”

Social media was ablaze with reactions from fans who thought Sir Jackie had cemented his status as the ultimate wingman.

“Jackie Stewart wingmanning Martin Brundle on the grid to bag the Federer interview is the Sunday evening TV that we all needed,” said one Twitter user.

“Get you a friend like Jackie Stewart,” said another.

Shoutout to Jackie Stewart being a total bro for Martin Brundle by using his status to completely ignore the F1 pit lane guards, breeze by other personnel to get Roger Federer to talk to Brundle pic.twitter.com/yDLuJrP7cq

— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) May 7, 2023

'ROGER. ROGER. ROGERRRRR'
'You can't beat up Sir Jackie Stewart'

It's quite literally all happening. #MiamiGP | #F1

— The Race (@wearetherace) May 7, 2023

Others noted that Stewart was a three-time World Champion, as well as the oldest living Grand Prix winner and the last surviving World Champion from the 1960s, and deserved to be treated with more respect.

“Imagine being at an F1 race and telling Jackie Stewart he can’t do something,” said one.

“You do NOT do that to Sir Jackie Stewart,” said another.

“Security guards trying to physically stop Sir Jackie Stewart, a triple World Champion and someone to whom F1 owes an eternal amount of gratitude, is everything that is wrong with the sport at the moment,” said a third.

Martin Brundle accosted Top Gun star Tom Cruise at the 2022 British Grand Prix.

Martin Brundle got brutally snubbed by Brad Pitt at last year's US Grand Prix.

Sometimes for Brundle, it’s the choice of who not to interview that’s crucial, opting against interviewing Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, after having to bash through security to have a chat with the Top Gun star at last year’s British Grand Prix.

“Tom Cruise, I was specifically told not to speak to him. But that doesn’t usually stop me,” he said.

Cruise is a common sight at Formula One races, and was a guest in the Mercedes garage on race day.

He is currently assisting in filming and stunt scenes for the upcoming Formula One film, Apex, which will star Brad Pitt and will feature real footage from the 2023 Formula One season.

Serena Williams has finally shaken the igominy of a Brundle grid walk chat.

Filming for the movie will involve Pitt driving on track during race weekends from Silverstone, with a Mercedes-developed Formula 2 car being used.

Pitt has reportedly driven over 1000 laps in the mock Formula 1 car at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France in preparation for the film.

Brundle also opted against interviewing the Williams sisters, having been brutally snubbed in previous years.

“There’s one of the Williams sisters but I honestly don’t think I can handle the rejection this time,” he said.