Brundle was about to finish his usual pre-race grid walk when he reached the ropes area at the front of the grid, which is open only to selected VIPs.

Among them was tennis legend Roger Federer, who was one of Brundle’s targets on the guest list of attendance.

Brundle happened to meet Stewart, who knew Federer well through his connections in Switzerland. The three-time world champion agreed to duck under the ropes and asked the 20-time Grand Slam winner to come over and talk to Brundle.

Security, however, didn’t think Stewart should be there and seemed ready to remove Federer before he could get Federer’s attention and escort him through Brundle.

The incident was widely circulated on social media, with some observers saying the treatment of one of F1’s living legends reflected the championship’s shift from its roots to fostering showbiz ties.

“What a legend, at 83,” Blundell said Sky Sports F1 Podcast“I happened to meet him in front of that rope.

“It’s like trying to get into a dodgy nightclub, isn’t it? Both of us, we don’t have a chance, our dress code is wrong or something.

“I found the whole thing a bit odd on the grid. There were a lot of people around and when I got to the front I especially wanted to talk to Roger.

“I just happened to say that to Jackie and he said, ‘So you want to talk to him?’ I said ‘yes’. ‘Well, I’m going to find him, I’m going to find him. “

Sir Jackie Stewart with a guest

Photography: Mark Sutton/ motorsport pictures

“He jumped under the rope and now there’s three guys chasing him. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I just kicked Jackie Stewart out of this place. We’ve all been kicked out of better places than that! It’s really interesting.

“Honestly, then I started to panic a little bit. He’s 83 years old and I don’t need him to risk being there for an interview. He’s great. That’s the real partner, isn’t it, when they pay you extra like that When trying.”

Blundell said he was counting down the time allotted for his grid walk before the report switched to driver introductions, with more pressure on his side.

“I’m in, what we’re talking about, in our business it’s very difficult to get into the presentation,” he explained. Come in, try to explain what’s going on. It’s Sir Jackie Stewart!

“I see that negotiations are going on over there. Literally the count in my ear just finished when Federer turned and walked up with Sir Jackie, so I think I have to talk to him now. I think We somehow got away with it.

“But huge anxiety, that’s why I never watch the damn thing. I haven’t seen it in 26 years.

“I’ve seen it on social media, at that point, but I’ve never seen Grid go back. And don’t know who that cheeky guy is running around, my doppelgänger!”