Martin Brundle kicked off his walk through the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix by honoring the late Ozzy Osbourne. The iconic rock star passed away at the age of 76 less than three weeks after his final concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham.
Osbourne, who was adored by millions worldwide, also left a lasting impression on Formula 1 fans with a notable appearance during one of Brundle’s pre-race grid walks. Brundle, a renowned broadcaster, typically interacts with celebrities while strolling the grid before Grand Prix events.
One memorable encounter occurred when Osbourne attended the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal as a VIP guest. Amidst a crowd of reporters, Brundle, then with ITV, managed to engage with Osbourne, despite the rocker’s somewhat incoherent responses, including an unexpected expletive that cut the interview short.
Following Osbourne’s recent passing, social media revisited this unforgettable moment, prompting Brundle to fondly remember the music legend as he embarked on his grid walk at a rain-soaked Belgian Grand Prix circuit.
During a live broadcast on Sky Sports, Brundle paid tribute to Osbourne, referring to him as his favorite grid walk guest. Despite some challenges, such as Osbourne’s occasional colorful language, the broadcaster continues to find his grid walks entertaining, dubbing them as “car crash television.”
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Reflecting on his career, Brundle expressed mixed feelings about being predominantly recognized for his grid walk interactions, despite his achievements as a successful racing driver and commentator. Embracing the humorous side, he acknowledged the unexpected encounters that have become synonymous with his persona, appreciating the longevity of his involvement in live sports.