Daniel Ricciardo can add another victory over Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton to his record book after he thrashed the Briton’s Top Gear lap record.
The Red Bull driver was taking part in the popular motoring shows ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ segment, which sees celebrities lap Top Gear’s circuit in a Suzuki Liana.
Several F1 drivers have taken part and have their own leaderboard which was previously topped by Hamilton’s 1:42.9 on his second visit two years ago. His first, a 1:44.7, had been completed on a wet and oily track.
Ricciardo posted a 1:42.1 to go eight-tenths quicker than Hamilton, much to Jeremy Clarkson’s astonishment. The lap was a second quicker than the man he replaced at Red Bull, Mark Webber, and almost two second faster than former team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
The Australian joked afterwards that it felt better than his maiden win in F1 at the Canadian Grand Prix last year.
Top Gear F1 ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ Times:
# | Driver | Time |
01. | D. Ricciardo | 1:42.1 |
02. | L. Hamilton | 1:42.9 |
03. | M Webber | 1:43.1 |
04. | S. Vettel | 1:44.0 |
05. | R. Barichello | 1:44.3 |
06. | The Stig (II) | 1:44.4 |
07. | N. Mansell | 1:44.6 |
08. | L. Hamilton | 1:44.7 (w) |
09. | J. Button | 1:44.7 (w) |
10. | The Stig (I) | 1:46.1 |
11. | D. Hill | 1:46.3 |
12. | M. Webber | 1:47.1 (w) |