Model Cara Delevingne explains snub of F1 commentator Martin Brundle at British Grand Prix

During a typical Formula 1 weekend, the cars aren't the only thing racing around the track. Veteran reporter Martin Brundle is a mainstay of prerace festivities as he rapid-fire interviews the many celebrities who are on the grid walk.

Ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix, Brundle attempted to speak with model Cara Delevingne. In a video of their interaction, she noticeably looks away before shaking her head "no" and saying she couldn't hear. The interaction went viral as, in the F1 community, it is generally regarded as disrespectful to deny an interview with Brundle, who is a former driver and has been a commentator since 1997.

Delevingne addressed the backlash on Twitter by responding to motorsports publicist Devin Altieri, who defended the model by saying Brundle likes to create drama and could have chosen to not approach her in the first place.

"I was told to say no so I did. Thank you for seeing both sides xxx," Delevingne wrote.

Delevingne was seemingly a guest of Alfa Romeo at Silverstone. The team came to her defense after a fan commented about the incident on their Twitter video of her time with them where she got to sit in an F1 car.

"Respect goes both ways: nobody should be placed in an uncomfortable situation or forced to do things against their will," the team said.

Who is Cara Delevingne?

Cara Delevingne is a model and actress who has appeared in campaigns for Dior, Jimmy Choo and Saint Laurent and had roles in the movies "Paper Towns," "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" and "Suicide Squad."

She is also known for being a close friend with pop superstar Taylor Swift. Delevingne was in the star-studded music video for "Bad Blood" and played a character named "Mother Chucker."

Who are the other celebrities who have had awkward interviews with F1 reporter Martin Brundle?

In 2021, rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion had a viral incident with Brundle on the grid walk at the United States Grand Prix. She started chatting with him before her bodyguard shooed him away.

Brundle expressed frustration at the snub and contrasted the current guests on the grid with revered F1 drivers.

"I have felt under pressure on the grid before but by people called (Ayrton) Senna, (Alain) Prost, (Michael) Schumacher, (Nigel) Mansell, (Nelson) Piquet and so on," Brundle posted on Twitter after the spurn went viral. "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."

At the next year's Austin race, he got brushed off by actor Brad Pitt when attempting to ask about the upcoming F1 movie that he is starring in.

Pitt redeemed himself in the eyes of fans during race weekend at Silverstone when he gave a four-minute interview to Brundle as part of Sky Sports' coverage.

Other celebrities including David Beckham, Simone Ashley and Venus and Serena Williams have also had awkward encounters with Brundle on the grid.