The F1 world has been blown away as Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle delivered one of his grid walk interviews at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The grid walk segment can so often be a trainwreck, from celebrities who don’t know who Brundle is to over zealous security guards to celebrities who are too big for their britches.
But Brundle found a perfect interview in Montreal.
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Walking the grid, Brundle came across the 87-year-old Mary McGee, who was being pushed on the grid in a wheelchair.
McGee isn’t just any octogenarian though. She is a motorsport pioneer, starting in car racing in 1957, before becoming the first American woman to compete in motorcycle road racing and motocross events.
She was also the first person to ride the Baja 500 desert race in Mexico solo on a motorcycle in 1975.
“I first started racing cars in 1957 and then I switched to motorcycles in 1960 and I quit in 2012,” McGee said.
Brundle replied: “Amazing — obviously I won’t ask you how old you are. But that’s an incredible story. So even (racing) up to a dozen years ago. Is this your first time on a Formula 1 grid?”
McGee: “I love Formula 1 racing. I was at Riverside (US Grand Prix venue) many years ago for the first Formula 1 race, met Jimmy Clark (two-time F1 world champion) for god sake.”
Brundle: “I’d have loved to have met Jimmy Clark. Oh my goodness, well done. So who are you cheering for today? Anyone in particular you like?”
McGee: “Mr Hamilton, of course.”
McGee and seven-time F1 world champion have a history as Hamilton is an executive producer on the ESPN 30 For 30 documentary short on McGee.
The film will soon become part of the 30 For 30 Shorts catalog and tell the motorsport pioneer’s story.
Brundle went to wrap up the interview, thanking McGee for her time.
“Thank you very much for talking to me, I appreciate it,” she said.
Brundle: “What a fascinating career you’ve had.”
McGee: It’s been wonderful — so damned exciting. There’s a lot of years and a lot of races — I did Baja, you know.”
Brundle: “I know you did Baja — did you break any bones?”
McGee: “I broke an ankle bone and a wrist bone but nothing big. Nothing important. It’s a lot of fun. A lot of years but a lot of fun.”
The pair then shook hands as Brundle continued the walk.
And while it’s usually the snubs or bizarre moments, fans were loving what McGee brought to the grid.
P1 with Matt and Tommy’s Matt Gallagher tweeted: “Martin Brundle with the most wholesome grid interview with Mary McGee.”
Williams Esports ambassador Meraki posted: “Interviews with Mary McGee will ALWAYS be better than ones with celebrities that think they’re too important to be spoken to. Bravo @MBrundleF1. Most wholesome interview ever.”
“What a beautiful interview! Incredible woman,” one fan wrote.
“We need more Mary McGee at Grands Prix,” another said.
Another fan commented: “She would put a smile on anyone’s face, that’s the type of interview we want to see, not celebrities turning up knowing nothing about the sport looking down their noses.”
Another wrote: “Oh wow, I️ (heart) this. What an absolutely heartwarming interview this was with Mary McGee, @MBrundleF1. Well done!”
Another added: “Mary McGee might be one of the best people Martin Brundle has ever interviewed on his grid walk.”
And that was just the tip of the iceberg as fans raved about the brilliant interview and learning about a legend they may not have known of before.
McGee also had a chance to meet Hamilton after the race.
Brundle’s grid walks often make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The last race before the Canadian Grand Prix saw a security guard try to keep Brundle from football superstar Kylian Mbappe, with the veteran commentator replying: “It’s alright mate, I’m in charge around here.”
While the incidents have been few and far between so far in 2024, the moments piled up throughout the 2023 season.
Fans were left in stitches at the US Grand Prix after he was forced to awkwardly wait his turn to speak to British boxer Anthony Joshua.
Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri was dealt a brutal burn when the Sky Sports presenter bailed on him mid-answer.
In Miami it was three-time F1 champ Jackie Stewart who stole the limelight after he was almost manhandled during the grid walk shenanigans.
Hollywood power couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones won fans over with their classy interview ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
At the British Grand Prix it was musician Sam Ryder who drew widespread praise for his infectious banter while speaking with Brundle.
But the most famous incident of all also came at the British Grand Prix when Cara Delevingne was brutally roasted after snubbing Brundle.