Jeremy Clarkson, widely known for his motoring expertise, has recently gained acclaim for his Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, which chronicles his efforts to run his Diddly Squat farm in Oxfordshire. A key element of the show’s appeal is the dynamic between Clarkson and his co-stars, including Kaleb Cooper and his long-term partner Lisa Hogan.
Clarkson and Lisa, who have been together for nearly a decade, recently travelled to Italy to attend a friend’s wedding, fitting in some sightseeing around the event. During this trip, Clarkson described Lisa as “the most annoying thing” in the car, after choosing to ignore two of her simple requests.
The motoring enthusiast, aged 66, had hoped to hire a Fiat Panda to handle the narrow, winding streets of Puglia. However, his PA had other plans and reserved a Ferrari 296 Speciale A instead. Clarkson characterised the supercar as “hyper bonkers” and encountered several difficulties while driving it.
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He recounted that the car emitted a persistent beep whenever he exceeded the speed limit, something he pointed out he was determined to do, noting that “everyone in southern Italy” tends to speed. Additionally, Clarkson struggled with the satellite navigation system and faced other technical challenges during the drive.
Writing in his Sunday Times column, Clarkson detailed some frustrations: “The turning circle is woeful, the roof clunks when you put it down, and so does the suspension when you go over a bump.” He further described the vehicle’s drivetrain, combining a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine with an electric motor to deliver impressive power.
Meanwhile, Lisa, who accompanied him throughout the trip, voiced two simple requests: “Slow down” and “Can you put the roof up?” Both requests were promptly declined by Clarkson. He reflected, “The most annoying thing in the car, though, was Lisa. We were in the Italian sunshine, in a Ferrari convertible, and she only ever said two things… The answer to both things was ‘No.'”
Clarkson also remarked that he is “quite well known in Italy,” noting a television channel there that broadcasts old Top Gear episodes.
In other news related to his farming endeavours, Clarkson expressed distress after 11 sheep went missing from Diddly Squat Farm. Upon discovering the loss while counting his flock alongside Kaleb Cooper, Clarkson said, “It’s upset me… you can’t ever form a bond with a sheep. Anyone who has anything stolen, it’s awful, but to have animals stolen, it’s really galling. They were happy here. This is my favourite field on the farm.”