Top Gear series 13
Top Gear Series 13 aired on BBC Two in 2009. It had seven episodes from 21 June to 2 August. The hosts were Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, and The Stig.
Key moments and highlights:
- The Stig reveal: In the first episode, Michael Schumacher walked into the studio and removed the Stig’s helmet, revealing himself for the Ferrari FXX power lap. The BBC did not fully confirm if Schumacher was the Stig in other scenes, though reports said he played the Stig for that special lap.
- Mallorca Classic Car Rally: The team bought three pre-1982 cars for a Majorca rally—Hammond in a Lanchester LJ 200, Clarkson in an Austin-Healey Sprite, and May in a Citroën Ami. They prepared the cars, arrived late to the rally, and then competed with help from assistant drivers.
- Car tests and stunts: Clarkson tested the BMW Z4 and the Nissan 370Z’s replacement. Brian Johnson from AC/DC did a fast lap in a Lacetti. Clarkson and May tried to make a straightforward VW Scirocco advertisement, but their ideas were not well received by the ad executives.
- Other cars and guests: Hammond checked out the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst Edition and the Maloo E Series, while Clarkson drove the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Jay Leno drove the Lacetti on the track and shared a story about speeding.
- Controversies: The final episode produced a spoof VW Scirocco ad that drew complaints to Ofcom, including a segment some viewers found in poor taste. Ofcom investigated and said there was no editorial justification for that part.
- Criticism: Guardian columnist Jodie Matthews criticized the show for using the word “pikey” during a discussion of the cars, arguing it could promote racist stereotypes and would not be acceptable.
Overall, Series 13 mixed car reviews, challenges, and stunts with a notable controversy around the Stig reveal and some offensive material that sparked complaints.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:34 (CET).