In the world of Formula 1, there are a few pre-race rituals as reliably chaotic, utterly unpredictable, and perpetually viral as Martin Brundle’s legendary grid walk. The Sky Sports F1 commentator and former racer has, over the years, turned the frantic, celebrity-packed moments before lights out into a form of high-stakes, unscripted television. His ability to navigate the crowded grid, mic in hand, and pull a genuine, often awkward, human moment out of an over-produced sporting spectacle is unmatched. Yet, the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix delivered what many are calling the most iconic, hilarious, and simultaneously cringe-worthy grid walk moment in history, featuring Scottish singing sensation Lewis Capaldi—and it was a masterclass in unintentional celebrity savagery.

What transpired in the moments before the Singapore race was a two-part comedy sketch that played out live on international television, a gaffe so perfect in its execution that it instantly detonated across social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram. The episode was a potent mix of mistaken identity and an accidental, yet crushing, social snub that left one of the world’s biggest music stars hanging—literally.

Act I: The Case of the Mistaken Identity

The scene was the bustling, humid grid of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, mere minutes before the start of the Grand Prix. Brundle, famous for his sometimes hit-or-miss approach to celebrity recognition, was wrapping up his high-energy segment, having already interviewed figures like comedian Jack Whitehall and Superman actor David Corenswet. With the national anthem looming, the veteran commentator spotted a figure in a McLaren cap and, assuming he had found the ‘Someone You Loved’ hitmaker, immediately strode over, microphone poised.

“Lewis, wonderful to see you,” Brundle greeted with his trademark enthusiasm, convinced he had bagged the highly-sought-after pop star.

The man in the cap, however, turned to face the camera with a good-natured smile and a swift, reality-checking reply: “Martin, I’m his brother!”

The unexpected correction hung in the air for a moment, instantly drawing a chuckle from the typically unflappable Brundle. His slight, good-humoured embarrassment was palpable. “Oh, you’re his brother?” he laughed, attempting to recover by excusing his mistake with a classic Brundle line, “I was told he had a cap on!” As if on cue, the real Lewis Capaldi, laughing hysterically at the unfolding drama, stepped into the frame right behind his older brother, Anthony Capaldi.

The singer, known for his self-deprecating humour and down-to-earth personality, took the blunder completely in his stride. In fact, he seemed to relish the moment of pure, unadulterated Brundle chaos. A brief, amiable chat ensued, with the brothers confirming they were there to support the McLaren team, specifically waving the flag for drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This initial, awkward exchange was already classic grid walk material—a lighthearted gaffe that would have been memorable on its own. But the universe, and Martin Brundle’s relentless need to move on, had a second, far more dramatic, act in store.

Act II: The Handshake of Despair

As the national anthem was about to begin, signalling the final moments before the race start, Brundle wrapped up the impromptu interview with his standard sign-off. “I’m sorry I mistook you, but it’s lovely to see you both on the grid, thank you,” he stated, already pivoting his attention to the looming deadline of the live broadcast.

In a gesture of good sportsmanship and genuine appreciation, Lewis Capaldi extended his hand for a firm, polite handshake with the F1 legend. It was a simple, universally accepted sign of farewell and respect. Unfortunately, Martin Brundle, his head already deep in live broadcast mode, deadlines ticking, and perhaps already searching for his next interview target, simply did not see it. He turned and walked away, the microphone disappearing into the swarm of people, completely oblivious to the fact that he had left one of the world’s most famous hands hanging in mid-air.

The expression on Lewis Capaldi’s face was priceless. For a fleeting second, the star was ‘aired’—a painful moment of social rejection caught in extreme close-up for millions of viewers worldwide. However, instead of letting the mortification settle, the singer did what he does best: he embraced the absurdity. Capaldi immediately burst out laughing, turning to the camera, and with a brilliant, comedic flourish, he shook his own hand.

“I’ll hold that then,” he quipped to the camera, an instant-classic reaction that perfectly encapsulated the lighthearted chaos of the moment. It was a move of pure, unscripted brilliance that instantly transformed a moment of personal embarrassment into a viral comedic goldmine.

The Social Media Explosion: ‘B**ched by Brundle’

The clip of the accidental double-snub—mistaken identity followed by the missed handshake—hit social media with the speed of a Red Bull on the straight. Fans of both F1 and Capaldi immediately seized on the footage, sharing it relentlessly across platforms. The reaction was not one of criticism for Brundle, who is universally loved for his raw, unedited style, but rather one of collective, hilarious second-hand embarrassment and admiration for Capaldi’s response.

The singer himself was quick to join in on the joke, cementing the moment’s iconic status. Taking to his X account (formerly Twitter), Capaldi posted a simple, perfect, and instantly quotable reaction: “B**ched by Brundle.” The phrase quickly became a trending tag, an affectionate summary of the moment when the racing great unintentionally delivered a brutal-yet-hilarious celebrity dressing down.

This latest chapter in the Martin Brundle grid walk saga once again proved why the segment is essential viewing. It’s a testament to the fact that in a highly polished and controlled sport like Formula 1, moments of genuine, unscripted human interaction—no matter how awkward—are magnetic. The charm of the grid walk lies in its chaotic authenticity, and this encounter with the Capaldi brothers was raw, unrehearsed, and ultimately, deeply human.

Lewis Capaldi’s ability to turn the tables on his own snub, transforming a moment of public embarrassment into a witty, self-aware punchline, only increased the public’s affection for him. He not only took the double-gaffe in good humour but elevated it into a cultural moment.

In the end, while Martin Brundle got on with his work, oblivious to the storm he had created, the Capaldi brothers provided the most enduring, shareable, and emotionally resonant content of the entire race weekend. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments in live sports broadcasting happen off the track, proving that even a legendary broadcaster can’t always recognise a pop star, and that a missed handshake can create more noise than a roaring engine. The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix will be remembered not just for the race itself, but for the day Lewis Capaldi was ‘b**ched by Brundle’ and turned the agony into absolute comedy gold.