Former Formula One driver and presenter Martin Brundle‘s hilarious grid walk interview with Ozzy Osbourne from the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix has resurfaced online after Osbourne passed away on July 22nd in the UK.
Osbourne was the lead singer of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath, whose battle with Parkinson’s disease since 2019 was no secret. He performed with his band for the last time on July 5, marking the end of an era. A crowd of 40,000 fans watched him in Birmingham, with the concert raising £140 million (approximately $190 million), reportedly for charity.
Brundle’s grid walk interviews with celebrities have been unexpected at times, given the hustle and bustle on the grid just before a grand prix. A video of him approaching Osbourne on YouTube has had fans laughing and paying tribute to the late celebrity.
The video shows Brundle trying to make his way through the crowd to reach Osbourne before calling him a “fruitcake.” He said:
British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada.
British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
“I want to have a word with this guy because he’s an utter fruitcake, as we all know, and we love watching him on TV.”
When Brundle does manage to reach him, he asks:
“Ozzy, British TV. Good to see you here.
“Sharon (Osbourne’s wife) had some good news this week, I hear.”
Osbourne’s reply was incomprehensible to Brundle, but he likely said:
“I’m good in currently we’re writing a musical about the life and times of Rasputin the mad monk, and we just got allowing it to go on Broadway.”
Brundle replied swiftly, “All right, I’ll try and think of a question for that answer. Did you bring the dogs with you?” Osbourne replied:
“No they’re all at home “sh*tt*ng.”
Brundle smiled and walked away, saying:
“Excellent, thank you very much. I think we’ll move on now.”
Given Osbourne’s replies, it is unclear if he was suffering with his well known health conditions or if he was having some fun with Brundle.
Fans have reacted to the video, remembering Osbourne after his passing. Some comments are quoted below:
A teary-eyed fan:
“I’m going to miss him. RIP Ozzy <3”
A fan’s last tribute:
“ALL HAIL THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS!!!! 🦇👑”
This fan had an explanation:
“Brundle wants to talk to Ozzy because he thinks Ozzy will make a fool of himself. Brundle asks about whats new. Ozzy tells about whats new. Brundle pretends to not have asked about whats new, then preceeds to make fun of Ozzy. Ozzy tells Brundle off in a slightly more polite way than he needs to. Brundle walks away, saying this wasnt very interesting.” [sic]
Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time.