Sir Jackie Stewart gives classy response after ‘F1 royalty’ is manhandled by security at Miami GP to spark fan fury
RACING legend Sir Jackie Stewart delivered a classy response after he was manhandled by an eager security guard.
The three-time world champion, now 83, is a regular on the F1 circuit and often travels around the world watching the grand prix.
And because of his status as an F1 legend, he is treated as royalty wherever he goes.
However, when Martin Brundle was doing his usual pre-race grid walk and trying to grab celebrities for a quick chat, he struggled to get the attention of Roger Federer at the Miami Grand Prix.
Step forward Stewart, who made it his personal mission to get the tennis legend for an interview on Brundle’s behalf.
The former driver marched into the VIP area, where the eight-time Wimbledon winner was, to get him to talk to Sky Sports.
But, before Stewart managed to get near Federer a security guard jumped in his way and told him he couldn’t come in.
Once another staff member informed the security detail who the man in the tartan cap was, Stewart was behind the VIP rope to collect Federer.
The Swiss star then gave Brundle a quick interview, all thanks to Stewart.
After the race, Stewart’s classy message on social media revealed he didn’t hold any grudges towards the security guard.
“The security did a good job bringing me back behind the ropes,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I haven’t had to sneak past security in a while, but anything for you @martinbrundlef1! Thank you to @rogerfederer for being a good sport.”
But fans on social media were furious about the incident.
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One wrote Stewart is “F1 royalty and should be allowed anywhere”.
Another shared: “I would have assumed Jackie Stewart went where Jackie Stewart pleased on an F1 grid.”
While a third posted: “Guys like Sir Jackie Stewart and Martin Brundle should be some of the few to be allowed to go pretty much anywhere there. Celebrities and their entourage should be told ahead of time and show respect to them, not the other way around.”