Top 3 Richard Hammond Quotes
While everyone has their favorite member of the trio that makes up the Grand Tour, few would disagree that Richard Hammond would be the most pleasant and friendliest of the group. But, do James May and Jeremy Clarkson outshine our beloved Hamster when it comes to one-liners?
First of all, no matter where you stand on the position of the wordsmith skills of Richard Hammond, it is important to remember that on September 20, 2006 at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York, while traveling at 288 mph (463 km/h) while driving a jet-powered car, Hammond was involved in a major crash and suffered serious injury.
As Richard Hammond stated himself: “For somebody who has injured their brain, every single thing they say and think will be the subject of their own questioning.”
Richard Hammond’s jet car crash via The Sun
Has Richard Hammonds brain injury and his own self-doubt resulted in more caution in his statements? I think not. Who can forget this zinger stated on Top Gear Season 16 Episode 2 back on January 30, 2011?
“Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.”
This statement, along with a zinger or two from James May, got the boys in to international trouble with Mexico that eventually involved the Mexican Ambassador to England, Eduardo Medina Mora. The resulting squabble was only resolved after a long meeting and a few bottles of Tequila.
Eduardo Medina Mora via Wikipedia
Of course, when Richard Hammond is not causing international news by crashing his car or starting international incidents, he has been known to give out some good advice from time to time:
“The easiest and simplest thing that anyone can do to make their car safer, more gas efficient, whatever – check the tire pressure.”
Richard Hammond via Pinterest
And he has even made some great commentary about cars and social status:
“It’s not just the kid who’s spent every penny from his job to upgrade his car to tell the world he cares about sports cars, it’s also the person driving around in a fuel-conscious hybrid electric car, because it’s more a message to the world than an effective means of saving fuel, to be quite honest.”
Richard Hammond Grand Tour Season 1 Episode 6
But for me personally, these are my Top 3 favorite Richard Hammond quotes:
“Oversteer is best cause you don’t see the tree that kills you.”
“I like to think that my arrogance, impetuosity, impatience, selfishness and greed are the qualities that make me the lovable chap I am.”
“This is just the happiest car in the world! I shall call it Oliver! Not that we’d ever name a car on Top Gear. I wish I hadn’t said that.”
What do you think? Is Richard Hammond the least quotable of the three Grand Tour hosts? Have his accidents lead him to become more cautious with his words? What are your favorite Richard Hammond quotes?
Keep driving my friends!