10 Times Jeremy Clarkson Got Very Candid About Lewis Hamilton
Jeremy Clarkson, known for his sharp wit and candid opinions, has never shied away from commenting on Formula 1 and its stars—especially Lewis Hamilton. Over the years, Clarkson has offered praise, criticism, and plenty of memorable soundbites about the seven-time world champion. Here are 10 notable times Clarkson quoted or commented on Hamilton, reflecting both the highs and lows of the Briton’s illustrious career.
1. On Hamilton’s “Hero to Zero” Weekend at Ferrari
“It makes no sense that Ferrari’s new boy, Lewis Hamilton, went from ‘hero to zero’ at the Chinese Grand Prix. He won the sprint, then was so slow in the main race he let his team-mate overtake—and then he was disqualified. How is that possible? To go from hero to zero at the same track, on the same day? It makes no sense.”
2. On Hamilton’s “Superstar” Status
“What is Lewis now? A driver? Or a superstar? … Maybe Lewis is aware of this. He’ll have his work cut out to beat his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who speaks Italian, knows the team, doesn’t spend quite so long posing for pictures and, thanks to a single-lap shootout, is regarded by many to be the fastest driver of them all.”
3. On Hamilton’s First Days at Ferrari
“He turned up in an SUV in a suit and tie and posed for pictures before talking to fans, under the watchful eye of a video drone which luckily was there to capture the moment. Next, there was a tour of the team’s headquarters where, in slow motion, we saw the fawning engineers and the applause.”
4. On Hamilton’s Age and “Prime”
“The Brazilian Grand Prix proved that outgoing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is past his prime in Formula 1. Yesterday was terrible, today was terrible. Qualifying was bad. Sprint race was bad. The car’s just been bad all weekend.”
5. On Hamilton’s Complaints Over Alonso’s Defending
“Lewis Hamilton needs a smacked bottom. He spent most of last weekend’s thrilling race on the radio, claiming the chap in front of him, Fernando Alonso, was cheating. Which he wasn’t. And then, when he finished in third place, he flopped about on the podium, claiming he has ‘long COVID’ … Well, I’m sorry, Lewis, but if you behave like that, you aren’t [the hero].”
6. On Hamilton’s Changing Public Perception
“People love Max Verstappen but they’ve taken a noisy dislike to Lewis. The problem is that Lewis has changed.” Clarkson has often highlighted the shift in public perception towards Lewis Hamilton, noting that while Max Verstappen enjoys widespread fan admiration, Hamilton faces a more divided reception.
7. On Hamilton’s Sportsmanship
Clarkson’s comment “Tremendous racing driver. Awful sportsman.” encapsulates his complex view of Hamilton. While he respects Hamilton’s skill and achievements, Clarkson criticizes his on-track behavior and sportsmanship, implying that Hamilton’s competitive nature sometimes crosses the line.
8. On Hamilton’s Overtaking Style
The phrase “In the first race, you overtook Eyebrow man” is a humorous nod to Fernando Alonso, whom Clarkson nicknamed “Eyebrow man” due to his distinctive look. This comment, made during a 2007 Top Gear episode, highlights Clarkson’s playful and informal style when discussing F1 drivers.
9. On Hamilton’s Race Strategy
“Meanwhile there’s Lewis Hamilton, ‘I’ll just wait for a pit stop to come in and I’ll overtake Bottas that way’ – fuck off. All of you, fuck off.” Clarkson, frustrated by a processional Silverstone race compared to other sporting events on the same day.
10. On Hamilton’s Role as a “Mouthpiece”
“They get Lewis to be a mouthpiece thinking he’ll convert the rest of us. But instead, we all just want to throw something at him.” Clarkson’s remark about Hamilton being used as a “mouthpiece” reflects his skepticism about Hamilton’s role beyond racing. He suggests that Hamilton is often positioned as a spokesperson for broader social and political issues, which not all fans appreciate.
Conclusion:
Jeremy Clarkson’s remarks about Lewis Hamilton span admiration, skepticism, and biting humor. Whether critiquing his performances, questioning his motives, or poking fun at his public persona, Clarkson’s quotes have fueled debate among F1 fans and added color to the ongoing narrative of Hamilton’s career. Through praise and provocation, Clarkson’s words capture the complex relationship between Britain’s most outspoken motoring journalist and its most successful racing driver.
