Martin Brundle explains why he never talks to Lewis Hamilton on his Formula 1 grid walks

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Martin Brundle’s Formula 1 grid walks have become one of the most iconic parts of any race weekend.

F1 is unique in allowing commentators and journalists like Martin Brundle access to the drivers, important staff members and high-profile fans in the moments leading up to a race.

However, with the grid becoming more and more congested, it isn’t always easy for Brundle to access the biggest names in the sport in the lead-up to a Grand Prix.

Brundle rarely has the chance to speak to Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the build-up to a race.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Brundle has now explained why that’s the case.

Martin Brundle explains why he can’t talk to Lewis Hamilton during his F1 grid walks

Talking about what makes a grid walk successful or not, Brundle said: “A good grid walk adds a little bit of important information about the day, the race, the cars, or one of the cars or one of the drivers in particular.

“I talk to a celeb or two must talk to some drivers. I’m really disappointed if I don’t get to see some drivers which is getting near impossible actually to find a driver on the grid.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

“A lot of them, like Lewis and George, go back to the stations in the garage and do a debrief on headphones.

“A lot of the drivers do, they get off the grid, if it’s hot especially. They need to go and drink, they need to go to the bathroom and they don’t want to be bothered, you’re right.”

How Lewis Hamilton is preparing for the Las Vegas Grand Prix

With Hamilton joining Ferrari next year, it’ll be interesting to see if his pre-race routine changes.

Mercedes bringing both of their drivers in for a final debrief before the beginning of a race makes a lot of sense, particularly if they want to focus on what’s coming up rather than fielding questions from journalists.

However, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are occasionally spotted on the grid, meaning Hamilton may end up being on the track sooner than he currently is.

Before he can think about that, Hamilton has three races left with Mercedes before waving goodbye to the team.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Hamilton is already working hard for the Las Vegas Grand Prix to try and help the team iron out a few issues with the W15.

Work on this year’s car will finish very soon with all focus on their 2025 vehicle, something Hamilton is unlikely to know very much about.

How Martin Brundle felt driving one of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes

Brundle has experience driving a variety of cars and was recently given the chance to drive one of Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 cars.

Although Hamilton hasn’t been happy with the last three years of development by the Brackley-based team, they’re very different to what Brundle was driving in the 1990s.

Brundle admitted he didn’t feel safe in Hamilton’s car even with additional safety features such as the halo.

Mercedes fans will be hoping Hamilton can achieve one more podium – if not a surprise win – before he leaves the Silver Arrows for the Scuderia.