Formula 1’s famous grid walk, a segment beloved for its unfiltered chaos, celebrity encounters, and occasional bouts of pure, unadulterated awkwardness, once again lived up to its reputation at the Singapore Grand Prix. The man at the helm of this on-the-spot journalism, Sky Sports F1 commentator and former racer Martin Brundle, has made a career out of navigating the chaotic pre-race atmosphere, resulting in legendary interviews with everyone from Hollywood A-listers to global sporting icons. However, his latest encounter, featuring Scottish music sensation Lewis Capaldi and his brother, has instantly rocketed to the top of the ‘Most Hilariously Cringeworthy Grid Walk Moments’ hall of fame. The brief exchange, filled with a massive case of mistaken identity followed by an accidental but agonizingly public handshake snub, has gone viral, capturing the imagination of millions and proving that even the most seasoned broadcasters are just one sentence—or one missed handshake—away from a social media storm.

The Setup for a Classic Brundle Blunder

The Marina Bay Street Circuit grid is one of the most glamorous and pressure-cooker environments in the world of sport, teeming with mechanics, drivers, dignitaries, and celebrities. Brundle’s mission is simple: to weave through this crowd, mic in hand, and capture a moment of genuine human interaction, often with an unsuspecting star. On this particular Sunday, after chatting with other celebrity guests, Brundle spotted a familiar-looking figure. With his trademark confident approach, he strode up to a man sporting a McLaren cap and confidently declared, “Lewis, wonderful to see you…”

It was the perfect opening for an interview with the ‘Someone You Loved’ singer, Lewis Capaldi, who has become one of music’s most recognisable and endearing figures. Except, the man he was speaking to wasn’t Lewis.

The man, who was smiling broadly, immediately set the record straight: “I’m his brother!” The simple, polite correction was delivered by Anthony Capaldi, Lewis’s older brother, creating the perfect comedic beat. In a moment of perfect, unplanned television, the actual Lewis Capaldi then emerged directly behind his brother, equally amused and laughing at the legendary commentator’s very public blunder.

Brundle, a consummate professional despite the pressure, could only chuckle, attempting to save face with a quick, good-natured excuse: “Oh, you’re his brother? He’s got a cap on, that’s why!” The entire episode immediately encapsulated the unpredictable magic of the grid walk—it’s live, it’s loose, and sometimes, it just goes wrong in the most wonderful way.

The Snub Seen ‘Round the World

The case of mistaken identity, while embarrassing for Brundle, was quickly smoothed over by the Capaldi brothers, who took the error in fantastic humour. Lewis, genuinely tickled by the situation, greeted the commentator warmly, saying, “Very nice to meet you. Big fan!” This established a friendly rapport, and Brundle, now speaking to the correct celebrity, asked the crucial F1 fan question: who were they supporting in the impending race? Lewis graciously deferred to his sibling, whose prominent McLaren gear made his allegiance clear. “Well, he’s here supporting McLaren, so I feel like I’m with him,” Lewis replied, pointing to Anthony.

As the pre-race chaos intensified and the live segment was drawing to a close, Brundle, needing to move on before the start of the national anthem, wrapped up the brief conversation with a hurried but sincere apology. “I am sorry that I mistook you, but it’s lovely to see you on the grid, thank you,” he said, turning to continue his walk.

And this is where the moment went from merely funny to instantly iconic.

Lewis Capaldi, extending a hand in a classic gesture of respect and farewell, offered a handshake to the F1 veteran. Brundle, already mentally sprinting to his next task and completely oblivious to the gesture, simply continued his rapid movement away. The camera held steady, capturing the heartbreaking, yet side-splitting, sight of the global pop star’s hand hanging in the air, tragically unclasped.

It was the ultimate, unintentional celebrity snub, played out in front of a global television audience. The ‘Someone You Loved’ singer, far from being mortified or offended, handled the brutal ‘airing’ with the self-deprecating humour that has made him a social media favourite. Instead of dropping his hand in defeat, Capaldi paused, looked straight into the camera with an expression of mock anguish, and then shook his own hand, letting out a roar of laughter. His brother Anthony joined in the merriment, completing the viral-worthy tableau.

Social Media Erupts in Shared Agony and Laughter

Within minutes of the broadcast, the footage was clipped and shared across all platforms, becoming an instant meme and a trending topic. Fans on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram were united in a blend of second-hand embarrassment and adoration for Capaldi’s reaction.

“Lewis Capaldi got pied by Martin Brundle not once, but twice, in under a minute. The man is a comedic genius for how he took it,” wrote one user, referencing the initial mistaken identity and the subsequent handshake fail. Another viewer commented, “The way Capaldi just laughed and shook his own hand… that’s exactly how you handle being rejected on live TV. What a legend!” The consensus was clear: while Brundle’s gaffe was pure, unplanned television gold, Capaldi’s grace and humour in the face of the excruciating awkwardness cemented his status as a national treasure.

The singer himself later took to social media to acknowledge the incident, posting a simple, hilarious comment that summed up the ordeal perfectly: “B***ed by Brundle.” His ability to immediately lean into the joke only further fuelled the viral fire, turning a moment of potential public humiliation into a marketing masterstroke of relatability.

The Brundle Grid Walk: A Tradition of Hilarious High Stakes

Martin Brundle’s grid walk is a staple of F1 coverage for a reason. Its success lies precisely in its high-wire unpredictability. The commentary veteran has a long history of memorable celebrity run-ins, from getting frosty exchanges with models who refuse to talk, to confusing other stars for entirely different people, and navigating bizarre interviews with American rappers. The segment is a constant dance between journalistic tenacity and the sheer logistical impossibility of conducting live interviews in the most crowded, high-security 30 minutes of a race weekend.

It is a segment so fraught with the potential for disaster that Brundle has often admitted to being “terrified” of the whole thing. He once famously quipped that he’s “one sentence away from the end of my career at all times, or being cancelled,” because it truly is “pure car crash television.” The Lewis Capaldi encounter, however, was a benign, feel-good car crash—a reminder that in the madness of Formula 1 glamour, genuine, funny human moments can still shine through.

This viral moment wasn’t a sign of failure; it was a testament to the enduring appeal of the segment. It was a live broadcast delivering authenticity, where a global superstar and a seasoned commentator became co-stars in a two-part comedy skit that will be replayed for years. Lewis Capaldi, in his signature self-aware style, won the internet with his reaction. Martin Brundle, with his accidental double-snub, simply added another glorious, chaotic chapter to his legendary F1 grid walk memoir. The ultimate takeaway? Always double-check your famous faces, and never assume a handshake is a given on the Formula 1 grid.