While we are only to keen to heap praise on (driver turned commentator) Martin Brundle for his keen sense of humour, one cannot help but feel that the Englishman went a little too far during the course of Sunday afternoon's event in Montreal.

Speaking to Bernie Ecclestone on the Montreal grid, in reference to track repairs carried out overnight, Brundle said: "There are some pikeys there at turn ten putting tarmac down… what do you think of that?"

In Britain, 'pikey' is a slang expression for Gypsies and 'travellers', Brundle here clearly referring to the practice in Britain where 'travellers' will knock on people's doors asking them if they need any repairs done to their house, one of the most common being the laying of new asphalt in the driveway.

Although it was originally slang, it is now recognised as a term of abuse, indeed there have been several successful prosecutions under the Race Act.

In 2007, a man is thought to have made legal history after being convicted of racially aggravated harassment for using the word 'pikey'. At the time, The Crown Prosecution Service said it was unaware of any previous convictions for the use of the word in a racial context.

Subsequently, 'celebrity chef' Marco Pierre-White was censured for using the expression 'pikey's picnic' during a reality show (Hell's Kitchen) on ITV.

Last night, following Brundle's comments, a spokesman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: "This word has been used on television in the past and is highly derogatory. It has caused much offence in the past.".

To further blot ITV's copybook, co-commentator James Allen made his own faux pas later in the broadcast, when talking about (race winner) Robert Kubica. As the 23-year-old made his way to the podium following his maiden GP victory, Allen , in an obvious reference to the Pole's looks, said: "He's no Brad Pitt, but..."

While some F1 fans might be attracted by the good looks of Hamilton, Rosberg and Piquet, others still follow the sport to see great drivers. In a world where those such as Bernie Ecclestone continue to promote style over substance, Allen - not exactly an oil painting himself - should know better.

As for his 'pikey' comment, which comes weeks after the FIA launched its 'EveryRace' campaign, it is hardly likely to endear Brundle to the political-correctness obsessed BBC when it takes over as F1 broadcaster next year.

Then again, we wouldn't want to see a 'witch hunt'!