Formula 1 fans were left shaking their heads on Sunday after Jimmy Fallon delivered what many called one of the most awkward pre-race interviews in recent memory. The late-night host, known for his energetic but sometimes polarizing style, joined legendary Sky Sports broadcaster Martin Brundle ahead of the Miami Grand Prix—and things went off the rails fast.
Fallon, 51, appeared so overwhelmed with excitement that he literally started chewing on the microphone. Yes, you read that right. The moment, caught live on air, quickly became a lightning rod for criticism across social media platforms.
“Fallon is so cringe it’s painful,” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Fallon is mentally ill. This was not a reaction of a normal human being. It’s sick.” The backlash didn’t stop there. “Fallon without a script have nothing to say. He tries to be funny all the time but he is a imbecile moron,” a third user added. Others simply asked, “Is this meant to be funny?” and wondered, “Imagine a night out with that guy.”
This isn’t the first time a late-night host has sparked controversy in the sports world. Danica Patrick ripped Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year, calling his comments “disgusting, evil, completely unhinged.” And Melania Trump fired back at Kimmel, demanding ABC drop him after brutal jokes. Fallon’s antics, however, struck a particularly sour note with F1’s global audience, who expect a certain level of professionalism during race broadcasts.
Thankfully for viewers, Fallon’s time on air was brief. The race itself delivered plenty of drama: A.K. Antonelli drove a stunning race to claim victory for Mercedes, crossing the finish line ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who rounded out the podium. The win marked a huge moment for the Mercedes team and added excitement to a season that continues to heat up.
The 2026 Formula 1 season now heads to the Canadian Grand Prix in three weeks. Fans will be hoping the pre-race interviews stay focused on the drivers—and far away from any late-night comedy bits.
