Jeremy Clarkson reacts to Top Gear’s staged Tesla review claim
- Chris Harris claimed on The Joe Rogan Experience that a Tesla review on Top Gear was staged, suggesting producers manipulated outcomes.
- Jeremy Clarkson denied these allegations, stating that their road tests were always fair despite the show's controversial nature.
- The controversy stems from a 2008 review that led to a lawsuit from Elon Musk, which was dismissed by a UK appeal court.
Jeremy Clarkson expressed his frustration over claims made by Chris Harris regarding a staged review of Tesla's electric car on Top Gear. Harris, who joined the show after Clarkson's departure, suggested that the producers manipulated outcomes during reviews, which he discussed on The Joe Rogan Experience. Clarkson refuted these allegations, asserting that their road tests were always conducted fairly, despite the show's reputation for being provocative. The controversy dates back to 2008 when Musk sued the BBC over Clarkson's review of the Tesla Roadster, which included claims of brake failure and battery issues. Musk's lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a UK appeal court, which upheld the previous ruling that Clarkson's review did not harm Tesla's reputation. The executive producer of Top Gear, Andy Wilman, expressed relief over the court's decision, humorously apologizing for the judges having to watch the show. Harris, while defending Clarkson, acknowledged the challenges faced during filming, particularly in light of a recent incident involving co-host Freddie Flintoff, who suffered a near-fatal crash due to inadequate safety measures. This incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place during filming, highlighting the risks associated with high-speed automotive tests.