Cara Delevingne has become the unlikely subject of a Formula One debate over the weekend after a painfully awkward, albeit funny, interaction with F1 legend Martin Brundle at Silverstone yesterday.
The 30-year-old model graced the grid ahead of yesterday's big race, but despite commanding a fair amount of attention, she didn't seem to want to be bothered for any interviews.
So when the Only Murders In The Building actress was approached by Sky Sports reporter Brundle, she attempted to avoid questioning. However, Brundle was quick to remind Delevingne about apparent F1 rules regarding people appearing on the grid.
As Delevingne attempts to deflect Brundle's questions and avoid having to appear directly on camera, Brundle reminds her, "well the deal is everyone has to speak on the grid."
Despite this, Delevingne seems unmoved by Brundle's attempts to kickstart an interview and instead complains about the noise and how she cannot hear anything so close to the track.
Rules or no rules, the model continues on past the Sky Sports presenter who, for his part, doesn't seem to care too much for her either and almost seemed relieved when she walks away. Brundle sarcastically signs off from the segment by saying, "Alright, well I'm sure it would have been extremely interesting."
Brundle's zinger has since generated a ton of engagement online, with the clip of the pair's awkward interaction garnering contrasting reactions from people defending both parties involved.
One Twitter user tweeted, "A huge celebrity with millions of followers went to F1 yesterday, and today she’s being forced to defend herself against a clumsy interview attempt rather than talking about how much fun she had. Brundle’s grid interview attempts are just another way to gatekeep the sport."
However, in response, another user quote tweeted with the comeback, "It isn't actually, because other celebrities went, talked with Martin, were really nice. Cara Delevingne was rude as always. It's not the first time she goes to a GP and not the first she's rude. Having millions of followers doesn't allow you to be rude with people."
Another user leapt to the defence of the model, saying, "Cara Delevingne happens to be one of the very select few people, who have driven a Formula E car as a non-super license holder She is definitely passionate about motorsports, if you DO NOT FORCE HER!"
Not everyone is convinced by Delevingne's love of the sport, however, with one user posting, "Cara Delevingne becomes the latest rude 'celebrity' to have the absolute privilege to be on an F1 grid but not the decency to have a conversation with the F1 Legend Martin Brundle. Go home!"
She herself has since commented on the matter, via Twitter.
Responding to user Devin Altieri who said, "At this point, Martin Brundle is just doing it to manufacture the moment for the controversy of it all. You can clearly see the PR rep tell him "no" and shake his head when he goes up towards Cara Delevingne. He had an out and he chose not to take it to make a statement," Delevingne quote tweeted with her own comment.
"I was told to say no so I did. Thank you for seeing both sides xxx."
Delevingne wasn't the only celeb turning heads at Silverstone, however. Brad Pitt was seen filming for a new, Lewis Hamilton-produced F1 movie, alongside Javier Bardem, with the Academy Award winning pair spotted strutting across the track as part of a scene for the upcoming film.
The Grand Prix was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
