http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/melbourne-grand-prix-2015-arnold-schwarzenegger-a-highlight-20150315-144rtr.htmlYou know a marquee and heavily-promoted sporting event has meandered to a predictable and tedious finish when fans are left remembering the post-race interviews as their highlight of the day.
Such was the case with Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger and the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, the 20th instalment of the race at Albert Park.
It’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, man!
Lewis Hamilton
After the 58-lap race reached its inevitable conclusion with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg rounding out a 1-2 finish for Mercedes, it was time for some Arnie magic. What ensued was hilarity all round.
Race winner and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton played the role of a starstruck movie fan by exclaiming "It's Arnold Schwarzenegger, man!" as he gazed across the sea of fans from the podium. "It's such an honour to meet you."
The Briton then showed a touch of bravery by teasing the Terminator, saying "I thought you were taller."
To his credit, Schwarzenegger played up to the moment with the fans chanting 'Arnie, Arnie, Arnie', by replying with: "I'm not wearing my high heels."
And it didn't then there. Schwarzenegger had a Q&A with each of the podium finishers, drawing plenty of smiles from Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari debut.
Fans who'd been left thinking they'd watched an event more akin to a lazy Sunday afternoon drive than a highly-charged Formula 1 season-opener, were suddenly awoken from their slumber.
Yes, the Arnie Show was a genuine sideshow to the main event, but few were complaining.
The Formula 1 circus and celebrities have always mixed closely but it's rare when an invited guest steals the show.
And for those who were wondering whether Schwarzenegger uttered his famous "I'll be back" line, of course he did, this time inviting Hamilton to join him.
Ah, the circus is gone for another year.
