Jeremy Clarkson Clarifies Awkward Viral Encounter Between Lewis Hamilton And Richard Hammond Ahead Of Chinese Grand Prix

Jeremy Clarkson explains why Lewis Hamilton "never met" Richard Hammond despite Top Gear appearances, defending the Ferrari star after viral Shell event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 4:34 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Viral Misunderstanding Sparks Clarification From Former Top Gear Lead

A lighthearted promotional appearance for Shell in Shanghai took an unexpected turn when Lewis Hamilton expressed confusion over a supportive video message from Richard Hammond. Upon viewing the clip, the seven-time World Champion laughed while remarking that he had no memory of ever meeting the presenter, despite Hamilton’s multiple appearances on the iconic motoring program Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson quickly took to social media to validate Hamilton’s claim, pointing out that during the show’s peak years, co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May rarely had direct contact with the studio guests.

Production Protocols Explain The Lack Of Personal Connection

The explanation for the perceived snub lies in the specific structured format of the BBC's most successful era of Top Gear. While the show was famous for the chemistry between its three leads, the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment was conducted exclusively as a one-on-one interview between Clarkson and the guest. Clarkson noted that because Hammond and May were often on location or kept separate from the studio interview set, it was entirely possible for a guest to film an entire episode without ever crossing paths with the other two presenters.

Hamilton’s Historical Track Record On The Suzuki Liana

Lewis Hamilton’s history with the program is well-documented, featuring two prominent appearances during pivotal moments in his career. He first visited the Dunsfold track during his rookie season in 2007 and returned in 2013 following his high-profile move to Mercedes. During his second appearance, Hamilton demonstrated his elite car control by clocking a lap time of 1:42.9 in the Suzuki Liana. This effort placed him second on the all-time Formula One leaderboard for that specific car, trailing only Daniel Ricciardo, who eventually took the top spot with a 1:42.2.