In a memorable episode from Series 5 of Top Gear, hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May competed in an intense race from the show’s Guildford studio to Verbier in the Swiss Alps. Clarkson piloted a powerful Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, narrowly defeating his co-hosts who relied on planes, trains, and buses by just minutes.
The Race Kicks Off Before Dawn
The challenge began in the early hours, with Hammond and May heading directly to Guildford station. They caught a train and bus to London’s Heathrow Airport for their initial flight, aiming to test the efficiency of public transportation against Clarkson’s high-performance car.
Clarkson, meanwhile, gained an early advantage in the Ferrari, covering about 100 miles into France before his co-hosts even boarded their plane. The Scaglietti’s impressive speed allowed him to pull ahead significantly at the start.
Unexpected Challenges and a Dramatic Turnaround
Clarkson’s journey hit a minor snag when the Ferrari developed a rattle, but it did not slow the car’s pace. Despite this, Hammond and May surged into the lead after their flight touched down early in Geneva, leaving Clarkson roughly 250 miles behind near Dijon.
At that point, Clarkson acknowledged the difficulty of catching up but persisted, stopping briefly to address the noise. Hammond and May faced their own hurdles in Switzerland, navigating trains from Geneva to Martigny and then to Le Chable, followed by a bus ride toward Verbier.
As they approached the finish at a ski lodge, Clarkson unleashed the Ferrari’s 5.7-liter V12 engine to close the gap rapidly. Hammond and May, searching frantically for the checkered flag, spotted the supercar rounding the corner just in time.
James May reacted with disbelief, tossing his luggage into the road and exclaiming, “You’ve got to be kidding. I can’t believe that.” Clarkson, equally stunned, replied, “I can’t believe this. No one is going to believe.” He swiftly jumped into the Scaglietti and sped to the finish line, arriving minutes ahead.
A Surprising Victory for the Supercar
Reflecting on the outcome, Clarkson noted, “So there we are, the best integrated public transport system in the world, allied to a plane that actually arrived at Geneva early, was beaten by a car.” The race highlighted the raw power of the Ferrari against a well-coordinated but ultimately slower public transit network.
