Talk show host Jimmy Fallon has doubled down on his bizarre Formula 1 grid antics, after going viral for eating a microphone while being interviewed by Martin Brundle.
The late night star attended his first F1 race in Miami last weekend, and the excitement all seemed a bit too much pre-race when he started chewing on a Sky Sports microphone, much to the surprise of the viewers.
Later in the interview, Brundle warned Fallon ‘do not take my mic sock again’ and he then took to social media to write: ‘In 30 years of broadcasting I’ve never wondered what a branded microphone sock tastes like. There’s some very funny people around.’
Fallon was back on TV Monday night, hosting in his usual slot on The Tonight Show, and he took some time to update viewers on his big weekend in Miami.
After explaining his ‘hot lap’ around the track, he briefly touched on the viral interview, but showed no remorse for his bizarre behavior, despite it irking Brundle on-air.
‘It was so exciting,’ he told the audience. ‘They have a thing called “the grid” or something, where they had you go out onto the track right before the race, and you do like 20 interviews with reporters all over the world. Just coming up to you, “what do you think of the race?”
Jimmy Fallon produced a bizarre moment when he chewed on Martin Brundle’s microphone
Fallon spoke out about the now-viral moment and said the microphone was ‘delicious’
‘Martin Brundle, by the way… your microphone tastes delicious!’
The comment left his audience in hysterics, but on social media the clip produced some more criticism from viewers.
‘Fallon was absolutely cringe on the grid walk with Martin Brundle,’ one wrote. ‘Trying way too hard to be funny.’
A second added: ‘You bit a mic, you f***** moron. You’re a national embarrassment,’ while a third said: ‘Making a complete mockery of the sport, but all his viewers will defend him and think he’s so cool.’
Fallon attended the Grand Prix as a guest of Ford and Red Bull, and in the pre-race interview he shared his desire for Max Verstappen to win.
Fallon appeared to enjoy his debut F1 race and recapped his ‘hot lap’ to TV viewers
On Monday night he was back in the spotlight and attended the Knicks playoff game at MSG
‘You’re the best,’ he told Brundle. ‘[It’s my] first time here, it’s nuts, crazy, I’m loving it. Miami is a great host. I’m going for Red Bull, I’m going for Max [Verstappen], he’s going to crush it.
‘I’ve been here hanging out… it’s loud, it’s exciting, it’s crazy, I’m so happy to see you… this is the highlight right here.’
In the race itself, Verstappen spun and was sent tumbling down the order, before a brilliant recovery drive sealed a fifth-placed finish at the checkered flag.
The race was ultimately won by Mercedes phenom Kimi Antonelli, with McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completing the podium.
