Martin Brundle was conspicuous by his absence at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Brundle's grid walks for Sky Sports' coverage of F1 are a highlight of race weekends for a large percentage of viewers in the UK, with many fans making sure to tune in early to catch him interviewing both those involved in the sport and the celebrities who regularly flock to the paddock.
So it came as quite the disappointment that he wasn't in attendance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend. Instead, Karun Chandhok and Rachel Brookes took on the pre-race responsibility.
It sparked plenty of conversation on social media, with one fan arguing: "This @SkySportsF1 pit walk is an absolute shambles without Martin Brundle." Another commented: "This grid walk sucks without Martin Brundle."
A third declared: "Wish they wouldn't do grid walk when Martin Brundle isn't there, today was awful. Either split up from the start, or work together and look/act professional."
Martin Brundle perplexed by Horner's claim about Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
"If Brundle or [Ted] Kravitz aren’t doing the grid walk, don’t bother," stated a fourth, while a fifth suggested: "It’s just not a grid walk without @MBrundleF1 is it?"
To their credit, Chandhok and Brookes spoke to Lando Norris' engineer, McLaren team boss Zak Brown, home favourite Carlos Sainz, former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique and the returning Flavio Briatore, who is back in F1 as Alpine's new executive advisor.
But fans still longed for Brundle, who had the weekend off from his Sky duties altogether. The new contract he signed earlier this year means he's only scheduled for 16 of the 24 races on the calendar - and it's also always been part of his deal with the broadcaster that he doesn't do grid walks at them all.
After his non-appearance in Barcelona two years ago had raised concerns he'd lost interest in doing them, Brundle clarified to the Telegraph: "For 20 years - whether ITV, BBC or Sky - my contract has said I’ll do three [grid walks] out of every four races I attend."
The 65-year-old has made no secret of how much he dislikes doing them, despite the awkward nature of the job being a contributing factor as to why they resonate so much with viewers.
Karun Chandhok and Rachel Brookes carried out the grid walk instead of Brundle (Sky Sports)"I’ve been in F1 for 38 years,” he pointed out. “I had nine podiums as a F1 driver. I was a world sportscar champion, a Le Mans winner, a Daytona winner. I like to think I’ve called some pretty good races in my time. Worked with the great Murray Walker….
“But there’s no doubt about it. I’m most famous now for grid walks. And frankly it annoys me! I don’t really want to be remembered for getting the wrong person, or being ignored, or being mucked about by some bodyguards.”
But he acknowledges that uncertainty of what can happen during one is the appeal, adding: "It's grown a life of its own. But I shouldn't knock it because it’s become my USP."
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