It was a tough old time for F1 commentator Martin Brundle on his pre-race grid walk at the US Grand Prix.

He was snubbed not once but twice as he strolled along the track, hoping to chat with some of the many celebrities in attendance for the race.

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Even without locking eyes with Brundle, a music star and tennis great were dragged into his orbit. Rap sensation Megan Thee Stallion was meandering along the grid at the Circuit of the Americas. She had a full entourage in tow but not even that could stop Brundle from approaching the 25-year-old with microphone in hand.

“That’s a very big bloke in front of her,” Brundle said. “Megan, Martin Brundle from British television, how are you?

“Megan Thee Stallion, you’re a freestyle rapper.”

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: “You’re a freestyle rapper, have you got any rap for us today on Formula One?

Megan laughed before responding: “I have no rap today, I’m sorry.”

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.”

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As Megan and her posse continued their walk along the track, Brundle mused: “OK, she seemed very happy to talk, didn’t she? That’s very nice of her and I appreciate that.”

Unfortunately for Brundle, that wasn’t his only awkward celebrity encounter of the day.

The 62-year-old continued making his way down the track and found two sporting legends deep in conversation.

“Let’s wander down here, we’ve got (golfer) Rory McIlroy and (tennis star) Serena Williams,” Brundle said.

“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.”

Brundle stood a metre away from the duo and waited awkwardly for the athletes to finish their chat.

But as soon as Williams began to move away, Brundle saw an opportunity and asked: “Serena, may I have a chat?

“Serena, are you good for a chat?

“Martin Brundle, British TV.”

Williams didn’t stop, shrugging at Brundle as if to say, “Sorry, but I’ve got somewhere else to be”.

Evaluating how the exchange went, Brundle admitted: “It’s a double fault, it’s a double fault.”

As Brundle was left to rue his awkward interactions, there were no such worries for Max Verstappen as he extended his lead in the F1 world championship to 12 points on Monday morning.

Red Bull took the honours in Austin on the back of an early pit stop gamble — which paid off massively. Lewis Hamilton finished second and admitted Red Bull were simply too strong across the weekend.

“Firstly congratulations to Max, he did a great job today,” Hamilton said before the podium celebrations.

“It was such a tough race. Got a good start and gave it absolutely everything but at the end of the day they just had the upper hand this weekend.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Verstappen on the team radio after the victory: “Sheer class Max, that was classy. What a drive. What a drive.”

Verstappen won the race by just 1.3 seconds, holding Hamilton off in a thrilling finish.

US Grand Prix results (top 10)

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

3) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

5) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

6) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

7) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

8) Lando Norris, McLaren

9) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri

10) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

With Tyson Otto