Jeremy Clarkson defends Lewis Hamilton over Richard Hammond 'never met him' comment

Jeremy Clarkson has clarified why Lewis Hamilton said he had 'never met' Richard Hammond, after a viral clip showed the F1 driver's bemusement at receiving a good luck message from the former Top Gear host. Clarkson explained that on the iconic BBC show, only he interacted with the celebrity guests, leaving his co-hosts Hammond and James May out of those meetings.

Why it matters:

This minor social media moment offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes mechanics of one of television's most popular car shows and highlights how even global stars like Hamilton can have limited crossover with other celebrities in the motorsport and entertainment spheres. It underscores the curated nature of TV production and the specific roles hosts play.

The details:

• The incident occurred at a Shell event in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, where a pre-recorded video message from Richard Hammond was played for Hamilton.
• Hamilton laughed in confusion, questioning why Hammond was sending the message as he had never met him, though he acknowledged Hammond was a Shell ambassador.
• Clarkson responded on social media, stating, "In Lewis's defence, James and Richard never met the guests," confirming the standard Top Gear protocol.
• Hamilton appeared on Top Gear twice: first in his 2007 rookie season and again in 2013, both times participating in the 'Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car' segment driving the Suzuki Liana.
• His 2013 lap time of 1:42.9 placed him second on the all-time leaderboard for that segment, behind only Daniel Ricciardo.

Between the lines:

While a light-hearted exchange, Clarkson's quick defense highlights the enduring camaraderie and specific professional boundaries of the former Top Gear trio. It also reflects Hamilton's straightforward personality—he simply stated a fact about not having met someone, unaware it would become a talking point. The episode is a reminder of Hamilton's long history in the public eye, from a rookie guest on a TV show to a seven-time champion now driving for Ferrari.