911 Love: Richard Hammond

He has become world-famous as the presenter of the TV series Top Gear – for three reasons, in particular: his unflappable British humor, a fearless approach to conversation partners and test vehicles, and his two co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May. The trio regularly appeared on air with the British car magazine show from 2002 to 2015, delighting fan communities around the world with crude jokes and daring driving maneuvers. The three of them then moved on to another TV car show The Grand Tour, which ran until 2024. Hammond has also been involved in many other TV shows over the years, including the documentary series Richard Hammond’s Engineering Connections. In his personal life, he pursues his passion for powerful sports cars with an impressive collection, which includes 911 models. As a homage to the old Top Gear and Grand Tour times, he and his colleague James May recently competed in an extraordinary race in the Taycan Turbo GT, going head to head with an electric airplane, the Pipistrel Velis Electro. Who won? We can tell you this much: the winner had a wing ... 

What is love?
Meeting your daughter for the first time.

How are you?
I can drive a car and ride a motorcycle. I’m happy with that.

The Porsche 911 in three words?
Characterful, practical, fast.

Which simple things can make you happy?
A dog, a run, anything well made.

What would you never do in a 911?
The point of a 911 is you can do everything with it. Maybe not transport a wardrobe.

What’s your favorite road?
From the Honister Pass to Buttermere in the English Lake District.

What can distract you?
Anything shiny, any 911, or ’80s motorcycle.

Three things you would take to a desert island?
A tool kit, a dismantled motorcycle, a Sunseeker Portofino 48.

Is there a historical figure you admire?
Loads. Let’s go with Shackleton!

What on a 911 could you do without?
In my case, the roof.

And what couldn’t you?
The slightly rearward weight bias.

What music did you wake up to this morning?
The UK’s Eurovision entry.

Your favorite film?
Greyhound.

Your favorite book?
The Old Man and the Sea. I used to keep it in my travel bag.

Where do you long to be?
The Lake District.

Your most treasured possession?
My Rolex GMT 2 Master.

Your secret?
I’m scared of institutions.

The 911 moment of your life?
Driving the first 911 I bought, in 1996, and stopping to show my parents.