Clarkson, Hammond and May’s Chaos Returns: Audi TT Test Spirals into Unscripted Race
Cotswolds – It was supposed to be a straightforward test of the Audi TT. Instead, as so often happens when Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are left to their own devices, it descended into chaos, banter, and ultimately, an unscripted race.
According to the presenters, indecision marked the start of filming. “Since we weren’t able to decide what we were doing, we all went in different directions,” a voice-over admitted, before Hammond found himself stuck in traffic, lamenting his inability to “explore the outer reaches of this car’s potential.”
Clarkson, meanwhile, discovered a stretch of open road and wasted no time unleashing the TT’s engine. “This car is an absolute masterpiece,” he declared. “Nearly 400 horsepower, endless torque, and a soundtrack like a happy hippopotamus—or maybe a bear that’s trodden on a plug.”
Banter Meets Mayhem
As Clarkson waxed lyrical, Hammond’s navigation woes and May’s steady progress in his “stupid Lada,” as Clarkson called it, set the stage for inevitable competition. What began as a test drive quickly became an impromptu race.
“Putting this much power and torque in a TT should make it uncontrollable,” Clarkson remarked. “But no. There’s nothing for it. I’m going to have to lose him. Goodbye, Hammond.”
Hammond, typically quick to defend himself, was left behind amid Clarkson’s theatrics, while May plodded on elsewhere, destined to appear in the edit as comic relief.
A Race with a Jumper Stop
In true Top Gear fashion, the seriousness of the “race” faltered when a new priority emerged: shopping. “There’s just one other thing before we do that,” Hammond interjected. “I’d really like a jumper.”
The outcome was predictable: the race would wait until after Hammond’s wardrobe concerns were satisfied.
Familiar Formula, Enduring Appeal
The episode encapsulated what made the trio international stars—fast cars, unscripted diversions, absurd humour, and a willingness to turn even the most carefully planned test into a shambles.
For viewers, the mix of genuine automotive insight and farce remains irresistible. For Clarkson, it was another chance to prove that even an Audi TT could become a weapon in the right hands—or at least the right script.