'It's a double fault': F1 icon cops brutal Serena Williams snub

Legendary British commentator Martin Brundle has delivered some of the best moments at the United States Grand Prix, with a couple of classic responses to his brutal snubs from American celebrities.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen held off Formula One title rival Lewis Hamilton over the final thrilling laps to win his eighth race of the season and double his lead in the championship standings.

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Before the race though, it was Brundle making headlines after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at interviewing American celebrities at trackside.

Brundle is widely known in F1 circles for his iconic pre-race grid walk and talks but his attempts in Texas didn't exactly go to plan.

“Let’s wander down here, we’ve got (golfer) Rory McIlroy and (tennis star) Serena Williams,” Brundle said during his coverage of the race for British television.

“Venus (Williams) wasn’t that keen to talk to me five years ago, I don’t know if I’ll get a double fault or an ace.”

The iconic commentator stood nearby waiting for the sporting pair to finish their conversation before jumping on the opportunity to chat with Williams.

“Serena, may I have a chat? Serena, are you good for a chat? Martin Brundle, British TV.”

The 23-time grand slam champion couldn't be heard saying anything in response and gestured to Brundle like she had somewhere else to be.

“It's a double fault, it's a double fault," told said on the broadcast to describe his failed attempt to speak with Serena.

However, the funniest moment came when Brundle again unsuccessfully tried to instigate a conversation with American rapper, Megan Thee Stallion.

The bodyguard clearing the pack for Megan didn’t care who Brundle — an F1 icon whose pre-race grid walks have become a staple of Sky’s television coverage — was or who he worked for. The big bopper up front wouldn’t let anyone near his client.

However, the rapper gave her bodyguard a light shove to let him know she could handle the commentator.

Brundle posed an odd question to the musician:

Keen to continue the conversation, Brundle asked: “Who are you supporting in the race?”

Before the rapper had a chance to answer, another member of Megan’s entourage — noticeably smaller than the larger bodyguard at the front — refused to let Brundle entertain another question.

Brundle stuck up for himself and told the man:

“I can do that, because I did," Brundle said, before hilariously reflecting on the awkward exchange.

“OK, she seemed very happy to talk, didn’t she? That’s very nice of her and I appreciate that.”

Max Verstappen increases lead in title race

While Brundle struck out with the celebrities at the track in Austin, there were no such problems for championship leader Verstappen, who held off a late charge from seven-time world champion Hamilton to continue his superb season.

Hamilton was bearing down on Verstappen over the final 18 laps and had cut the Red Bull driver's lead to less than one second by the final lap.

But he couldn't make the pass at the end and settled for second.

"I think I've aged about 25 years in that race," relieved Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said.

"I really didn't think we were going to hang on."

Hamilton, a five-time winner in Austin, is seeking a record eighth F1 title.

"Congratulations to Max, he did a great job today. It was such a tough race," Hamilton said.

"Got a good start and gave it absolutely everything, but in the end of the day, they just had the upper hand this weekend."

As the popularity of Formula One explodes in the US, the championship rivals delivered a dramatic finish under a blazing Texas sun in front of an estimated crowd of 140,000.

It was one of the largest sporting events since the start of the pandemic last year and drew the rich and famous to the Austin circuit - including NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal who delivered the winner's trophy to the podium.

with AAP

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