DRIVING an F1 car might look like the hardest job on the track.
But try being the guy desperately chasing moody celebs around it before lights out.
Presenter Martin Brundle has become the master of the awkward grid walk, with his run-in with Cara Delevingne over the weekend going viral.
The Formula One legend, 64, was brutally snubbed by the supermodel and her team when he tried to stop her for a chat, leading him to quip: "I'm sure it would have been extremely interesting."
Cara was then slammed by fans for her "garbage behaviour" and forced to clarify on social media that she had been told not to talk.
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At least she can take comfort from the fact that she's far from the only prickly star to give poor Martin a hard time.
Grovelling apology
During the Miami Grand Prix last year, Martin was keen to chat with Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, who was conducting some research for his upcoming film about the sport.
When Martin approached him to ask about the project, Brad, 59, appeared to be in a rush to get away from him, saying the film was top secret.
As the broadcaster attempted to get more out of him, Brad just ignored him with a brief "Thank you, man" and breezed past him.
Needless to say this didn't go down well with Formula 1 fans who slammed Brad, saying he should have known who Martin was.
It was later revealed that the Oscar-nominated actor had sent a note to Martin explaining why he was unable to stop for a chat.
He has since gone even further, offering Martin a cameo in the film and sitting down for a gushing interview ahead of the British Grand Prix this week.
Grovelling much, Brad?
Double fault
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When Martin spotted the tennis legend at the US Grand Prix in 2021, he said: "Venus (Williams) wasn’t that keen to talk to me five years ago, I don’t know if I’ll get a double fault or an ace.”
After waiting for her to finish a conversation, he asked her: "Serena, are you good for a chat? Martin Brundle, British TV."
But the 41-year-old coolly indicated she had to be somewhere else, prompting Martin to remark: "It's a double fault, it's a double fault."
After his encounter with Serena, Martin chose to avoid her altogether at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year when he breezed past her.
Mission impossible
Martin had an awkward run-in with Tom Cruise at last year's British Grand Prix.
It wasn't the warmest reception from the Hollywood superstar, who appeared to be keen to get away and gave the briefest of answers to Martin's questions.
When Martin congratulated him on the success of his latest Top Gun movie and asked who he was rooting for, Tom replied: "Lewis [Hamilton] always. I love to watch him racing and he's a good friend of mine. Hopefully, he has a great day."
While the actor smiled and clapped Martin on the arm with every answer, he was later criticised for not stopping to give more of his time.
After the quick chat Martin quipped: "Got pushed around a bit. But he was lovely. Would have liked to have talked to him for a bit longer."
Earlier this year Martin revealed he was banned from speaking to Tom on the grid at the Miami GP.
Awkward burn
Christian Horner is known for being one of the more outspoken Formula 1 bosses, never afraid to speak his mind.
But at the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix he got a taste of his own medicine when he tried to throw shade at Martin during an interview.
Hyping up the incredible Marina Bay track, Christian told him: "It’s a shame you’re too old to have driven here really. You would have liked it."
Sharp-tongued Martin hit back: "I am too old, shame you weren’t fast enough to get to Formula 1." Ouch.
'Learn some manners'
At the 2021 US Grand Prix, Martin had yet another clash with a celebrity - this time Grammy Award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
It all kicked off when Martin asked Megan whether she had a rap about the occasion, to which she responded bluntly "no".
When he tried to ask more questions, a member of her security team rudely barged him out of the way - leaving F1 fans fuming.
Martin later took to Twitter, writing: "I have felt under pressure on the grid before but by people called Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Mansell, Piquet, and so on.
"Bodyguards visiting the grid for the first time don’t bother me, everyone’s got a job to do, but they could maybe learn some manners and respect on our patch.”
Star rejection
One of Martin's most memorable celebrity snubs happened at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012, when Owen Wilson clearly wasn't in the mood for a chat.
The Night At The Museum star rejected Martin twice, even turning his back on him at one point, before he managed to get a word in.
When Martin finally managed to get his attention, and asked whether he had been to a race before, Owen gave the deadpan reply: "I went to one in Spain last year," before walking off.
Clearly miffed, Martin said: "Owen Wilson at his second Grand Prix, always interesting to know."
'No comprende'
At the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix, Martin was excited when he spotted then-Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos on the grid.
Asking if he'd be able to have a quick chat for British TV, Roberto, 50, responded in a high-pitched voice: "I don't understand English."
But that didn't stop Martin probing for gossip on the rumours that David Beckham was set to move to Real Madrid from Manchester United.
Although Carlos didn't utter a word, the look on his face spoke volumes and Martin walked away with a smile, joking: "That's good, 'no comprende'."
Confusing stars
At the Miami Grand Prix in 2022, Martin suffered an epic blunder when he confused Paolo Banchero, one of the NBA's hottest stars, for Patrick Mahomes.
It made for a pretty awkward interview but thankfully, Paolo saw the funny side.
Paolo and Patrick later had a good laugh about the encounter on Twitter at Martin's expense.
The two men are noticeably different in stature - Paolo is 6ft 10in, while Patrick is 6ft 3in - and both play completely different sports, as Patrick is an NFL star.
