Summary
"Some say" The Stig is a retired Formula 1 driver mate of Jezza's, while others are convinced it's still Perry McCarthy. And there are some that really couldn't care less. However, in the opening edition of series 13 in June 2009, people who didn't even watch Top Gear sat up and took notice as the white-suited icon removed his helmet. The event turned into a media frenzy as The Stig was revealed as charismatic F1 champ Michael Schumacher. But there was something about the cocky smile on Jezza's face, not to mention his show sign-off to say he didn't believe the German-born ‘Mach' was really The Stig, that made it clear to anyone who didn't have an irony deficiency that it had all been a massive gag. The season also kicked off with another fantastic challenge, this time with a black & white Ealing movie feel, as Clarkson shovelled coal for all he was worth in the cab of a steam train, Hammond braved vibration Hell on a vintage motorbike, and May looked the epitome of a British gent in a classic Jag. The trio's final destination was Scotland, but very quickly Jezza realised the competition wasn't a done deal and the life of a steam train driver wasn't quite what he'd dreamed of as a child. Other highlights included the rear wheel drive ice racing in France with £1500 cars of their choice; a quest to find a sensibly priced small car that performed well and wouldn't make its owner permanently miserable or embarrassed; a classic car rally; Hamster and Slow attempting to beat a letter from one end of Britain to the other in a Porsche Panamera; and Jezza and James's united effort to make their own advert for a Volkswagen. Celebrity guests included Stephen Fry, Michael McIntyre, Usain Bolt, Sienna Miller and Jay Leno.
