Pep Guardiola, Thiago Silva, Raphael Varane, Paulo Dybala and Reece James made the list of high-profile football stars who joined over 480,000 spectators to attend the 2023 British Grand Prix on Sunday.
The premium motorsports event which was held from July 7 climaxed on July 9 at the 5,891km-long Silverstone Circuit in the UK. It was one of the grandest Formula One Championships with the A-list soccer stars mostly from England gracing the event.
Pep Guardiola downed his touchline heroics and cut a calm figure joining other spectators for a feel of the adrenaline and extreme sports viesta.
Guardiola acousted by Martin Brundle
The pre-game grid walk allowed Guardiola and other soccer stars in the event to have a stroll while relishing the beautiful scenery and warmth of the festive atmosphere before the event started.
As Guardiola strode through, he was accousted by Martin Brundle, a former racer and handler of the pre-game grid walk event.
Brundle asked Guardiola whether the Spaniard will allow him bring his famous grid walk to the Etihad.
Guardiola seemed a bit taken aback with pleasant surprise and responded, “That would be crazy, it’s crazy for the drivers before driving at these speeds, to be here with so many people, but it’s part of the show.”
Martin Brundle, who is himself, a former racing driver is the progenitor of the grid walk in Grand Prix event. The pre-game show has become a cool staple but still controversial aspect of Formula One. For over 25 years, Brundle have anchored the event attracting both critics and fans as well.
During grid walk, Martin Brundle is allowed to briskly stride through the event for 10 minutes and walk up to any celebrity, boss, or high-profile personalities and interview them before the race starts.
He has recorded some wins interviewing celebrities that usually grace the event but have also been turned down and ignored at times but has remained glued to the craft.
Martin Brundle took to his social media in 2021 to talk down critics, saying “..all I ask is to enjoy the privilege…Not ask for any grid protocol changes.”
Be that as it may, the grid walk seems to have earned its rightful place in Grand Prix.
Pep Guardiola meets Toto Wolff
Guardiola also met with Austrian motorsports chief and business mogul Toto Wolff, 51. The £1.1bn worth former racing driver and Mercedes owner was seen having a walk with Guardiola. The pair chatted up before having a stroll together at the event.
Other A-list celebrity footballers present at the Grand Prix Silverstone
The 2023 Grand Prix Silverstone also saw other A-list celebrity footballers gracing the event. Leading the list of footballers who trouped into Northamptonshire for the event was Chelsea star Reece James.
The English defender was spotted in the five-star sporting event having a brief chat with award-winning British racer, Lewis Hamilton, 38.
Also present at the event was Romeo Beckham, son of Manchester United legend and Inter Miami owner David Beckham.
The Brentford B player appeared posh with his dark glasses as he posed with England women national team footballer, Beth Mead.
Also making a striking appearance at the event was embattled Brenford forward Ivan Toney who is serving eight months ban from football after pleading guilty to gambling charges.
Manchester United star Raphael Varane who is set for Manchester United preseason also took out time to round off his summer break at Northamptonshire.
Varane was out of the picture in Manchester United last Premier League games last season due to iniury but has recovered and was present at the event.
Chelsea and Brazil international, Thiago Silva also graced the event and was spotted taking a stroll alone.
The former PSG defender made a confident but simple appearance with his dark glasses and white polo.
Roma attacker, Paulo Dybala was also spotted at the event with smiles as he relished the scenic sports viesta with its air of festivity.
Dybala was the only Serie A player spotted as he traveled miles down from Italy to attend the event.
Thiago Silva met Paulo Dybala, discusses Chelsea move
Thiago Silva revealed he had met with Paulo Dybala while speaking with Sky Sports at the event. The Brazil international said he has spoken with Paulo Dybala asking him to join Chelsea and added the the former Juventus star did respond to his plea but he will not disclose what he said.
“I saw Paulo Dybala here, they talk about him at Chelsea. I hope he arrives”, he said.
“I’ve talked with him and asked him if he is coming, he answered me, but I can’t say what he told me.”
Paulo Dybala has been linked with a move to Chelsea after his standout performance for Roma in his debut season for the club.
The Argentinian winger scored 18 goals for the club, including a Europa League final goal against Sevilla.
Sources close to Roma have revealed the club wants to keep the player and are ready to renew his deal with two years still remaining in his contract.
2023 British Grand Prix
The 2023 British Grand Prix was a motorsports and racing event which took place in Northamptonshire in the UK on July 9 at the Silverstone circuit. It was the tenth round of the Formula One Championships.
Belgian racer Max Verstepen is currently leading the Drivers’ standings with 255 points while Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT is leading the Constructors standings with 411 points.
