- Lewis Hamilton almost collided with the comedian just before the start of race
- Celebrity joked that his past mocking of the Brit might explain chilly reception
Lewis Hamilton was left unimpressed after a near run-in with a celebrity guest during the grid walk at Silverstone, just moments before the start of the British Grand Prix.
Jack Whitehall, who was among several celebrity guests at the race on Sunday, found himself in the thick of the pre-race chaos and almost body-checked Hamilton as the drivers made their final preparations.
‘Just now when I was being invited to the grid I nearly body-checked Sir Lewis Hamilton,’ the comedian told Sky Sports.
‘I don’t know whether I’m going to be invited back again, it was a very cold stare.’
The Bad Education star speculated that his icy reception may have been payback for past jokes about the seven-time world champion.
‘Maybe that was for the jokes I made at F1 75 as well and not just the body check,’ he added.
Whitehall, who attended with his mum, also revealed her surprising admiration for a familiar paddock presence:
‘She said that [Martin Brundle] is her hall pass — whatever that means.’
Earlier, Whitehall had raised eyebrows with another cheeky remark, saying: ‘I’ve been invited by Mercedes. But I’m going to go to the Red Bull garage and annoy Christian Horner for two hours.’
Hamilton, meanwhile, brushed off the grid walk drama and finished fourth, having started one place below.
Lando Norris was victorious for the first time on home soil, with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri second and Sauber’s Nico Hulkensberg third.
