F1 introduces ‘Brundle clause’ for bodyguards after MTS incident
Formula 1 is set to clamp down on grid access for bodyguards following the incident between rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s entourage and Martin Brundle in Austin.
Ex-F1 driver and seasoned pundit Brundle was able to revive his famed pre-race grid walks for the United States Grand Prix following a tweak to the FIA’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Megan Thee Stallion was attending the race as a guest of Red Bull, and was approached by Brundle for an interview on the grid. She initially responded to his questions and was polite, only for her security guards to aggressively shoo him away, telling him he “couldn’t do that”.
Brundle hit back and said, “I can do that, because I did”, before calling for more manners and respect from celebrity’s entourages during grid walks.
According to F1 insiders, Motorsport.com has learned that it will clamp down on grid access for bodyguards in the wake of the incident. Officials believe the grid is a secure enough environment to mean they are not required.
While celebrities on the grid are not required to give interviews to the media, they will be asked to be courteous should they decline to speak.
Brundle spoke about the rule tweaks during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, joking that the new rules “must be the ‘Brundle clause’” after what happened in Austin, and that it was his “claim to fame at last”.
“I get ignored by Megan Thee Stallion, biffed out of the way by a man mountain and then told off by a Malfoy lookalike who doubtless was on his first-ever time to an F1 grid,” Brundle said.
Rapper Meagan Thee Stallion on the grid
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
"I put out a simple tweet about it and got five million impressions. I don't understand any of that, to be honest.”
F1 grid access remains restricted compared to 2019 when the series last raced without COVID-19 protocols, but has gradually opened up to grant more people access.
Megan Thee Stallion is a three-time Grammy award winner, and is known for songs such as WAP and Savage. She has a combined social media following across Twitter and Instagram of 33 million followers - around 11 million more than F1’s official accounts.
Related video
Ferrari: Mistakes will decide winner in McLaren fight for P3
The errors Verstappen isn't making when it matters in F1 2021
How Driver’s Eye camera became a Formula 1 TV gamechanger
Formula 1 broadcasting has undergone many major advancements in the past decade in a push to better inform fans and enrich their viewing experience.
Hazelwood reflects on maiden Gen3 test
Todd Hazelwood has walked away from a highly-scrutinised first team Gen3 test excited by the latest generation of Supercars hardware.
What’s going on with Nissan and Kiyoto Fujinami?
Nissan may have made no changes to its GT500 driver roster for the 2023 SUPER GT season, but still caused a surprise by making no mention of two-time GT300 champion Kiyoto Fujinami in its recent announcement.
First Gen3 Supercar hits the track
The first Gen3 Supercar outside of the prototypes has officially turned its first laps at Winton Motor Raceway.
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Nico Hulkenberg: Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing.
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? Luke Smith asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.