Former Top Gear Producer Andy Wilman Recalls Uncharacteristic Confrontation with Kimi Raikkonen During BBC Show Appearance.

Andy Wilman, the acclaimed former executive producer of the globally popular automotive program Top Gear, has publicly shared a rare account of a heated exchange with Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen during the driver’s appearance on the show. Speaking on the Midweek F1 podcast, Wilman detailed a moment when he felt compelled to directly challenge Raikkonen over what he perceived as a lack of effort during the iconic "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment. The incident offers a unique glimpse into the typically unflappable Finn’s guest appearance and the demanding standards of the BBC production.

Kimi Raikkonen, often dubbed "The Iceman" throughout his illustrious Formula 1 career, cultivated a persona defined by his laconic demeanor, disinterest in media formalities, and singular focus on racing. His reputation for doing things strictly on his own terms made him a compelling, if sometimes challenging, personality for interviewers and television producers. Raikkonen’s F1 journey, which included a World Championship title with Ferrari in 2007, multiple Grand Prix victories, and stints with McLaren, Lotus, and Alfa Romeo, solidified his status as one of motorsport’s most distinct characters. The incident in question likely occurred around 2012 or early 2013, coinciding with Raikkonen’s highly anticipated return to Formula 1 with Lotus after a two-year hiatus competing in rallying. His comeback was marked by renewed competitive spirit, culminating in several strong performances and wins.

The "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment was a cornerstone of Top Gear‘s immense global appeal. It involved celebrities, particularly racing drivers, attempting to set the fastest lap time around the Dunsfold Aerodrome test track in a relatively humble, unmodified production car. Over the years, the challenge featured vehicles such as the Suzuki Liana, Chevrolet Lacetti, Kia Cee’d, and Vauxhall Astra. The segment was highly competitive, with guests often taking it very seriously, vying for bragging rights on the famed leaderboard. The Dunsfold track, a former Royal Canadian Air Force base, featured a challenging layout with various corners, straights, and technical sections, making it a genuine test of skill even in a basic car. Weather conditions, especially rain, significantly impacted lap times, adding an unpredictable element to the challenge.

Wilman, a pivotal figure in Top Gear‘s transformation into a global phenomenon alongside presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, recalled the day Raikkonen arrived to record his lap. Expectations were naturally high for an F1 world champion. "Raikkonen came on the show," Wilman stated. "Everyone’s doing their lap. His was a wet day and we were like, ‘Oh, he’s not going to do it.’ He’s like, ‘OK, but he’ll give it some because it’s Kimi.’" The anticipation was that despite the adverse conditions, Raikkonen’s inherent talent would still shine through, yielding a respectable time.

Related News :

• Aston Martin F1’s New Leadership Structure: A Strategic Move or an Interim Solution?
• Yuki Tsunoda Faces 2026 F1 Sideline, Vows Resilient Comeback After Red Bull Driver Shake-Up
• Verstappen Commends Antonelli’s Resurgent Rookie Campaign After ‘Impressive’ F1 Season Performance
• Pato O’Ward Foresees Colton Herta’s F2 Stint as Direct Pathway to 2027 Formula 1 Opportunity.
• Fernando Alonso Hails Adrian Newey’s Appointment as Aston Martin F1 Team Principal for 2026 as ‘Logical’

However, Raikkonen’s initial attempts fell short of the production team’s expectations. Wilman described his concern: "I went down to see the guy with the timer, Nick Dalton, had the watch out. I’m like, ‘How’s he doing? How’s he doing?’ He went, ‘Not great.’" This feedback indicated that Raikkonen’s laps were not reflecting the caliber of a Formula 1 driver, even accounting for the wet track. For a show that prided itself on pushing celebrities to their limits, an underwhelming performance from an F1 star was a significant issue.

Following his initial laps, the 2007 world champion made his way back to his motorhome, signaling an intention to conclude his driving for the day. Wilman recounted Raikkonen’s disposition: "So he goes into his motorhome and he’s like, ‘Done, I’ve done enough laps now.’ He wasn’t unfriendly, but he’s just like, ‘It’s a rainy day.’" This response, while characteristic of Raikkonen’s straightforward approach, presented a dilemma for the production team, who needed a more competitive time for broadcast.

Crucially, the weather conditions began to improve. The track at Dunsfold was starting to dry, offering a window for Raikkonen to potentially set a faster, more representative lap. Recognizing this opportunity, Wilman, who later went on to produce The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, decided to approach Raikkonen in his motorhome. He found the Finn in a state of relaxed comfort. "I’ve gone in a bit late because he’s in the Lazy Boy chair and it’s warm and he’s fully stretched out like Joey from Friends," Wilman humorously recounted, emphasizing Raikkonen’s complete lack of urgency.

Wilman then made his appeal, attempting to coax Raikkonen back onto the track. "I went, ‘Kimi, it’s drying out now. I can’t tell you your time, but it wasn’t brilliant and we know you could go faster.’ And he went, ‘No, I can’t.’" Raikkonen’s curt refusal was met with further insistence from the producer, who highlighted the visible improvement in track conditions. "I said, ‘If you look out of the window, you’ll see it’s definitely getting drier.’ And he, with hugely bad grace, upped himself to the window and he went, ‘No, it isn’t,’ and then lay back again." This dismissive attitude proved to be the breaking point for Wilman.

It was at this moment, faced with Raikkonen’s persistent nonchalance, that Wilman admitted to losing his composure. "So I kind of lost it with him a bit and bollocked him," he confessed, using a colloquial British term for a severe reprimand. Wilman explained his reasoning: "like, ‘There’s so many people here waiting to see you make a comeback… and that’ll be on you if you don’t do something.’" The producer underscored the collective effort of the crew and the expectations of the audience, implying that Raikkonen’s lack of commitment would reflect poorly on his own professional image and the show’s integrity.

The stern words had the desired effect. Raikkonen, perhaps unaccustomed to such direct confrontation, eventually yielded. "Then he got up and he went and did a couple more laps and went a bit faster," Wilman confirmed. Raikkonen’s recorded lap time in the Vauxhall Astra was 1:46.1 on a wet track, placing him below some of his F1 contemporaries like Lewis Hamilton (1:42.9, wet) and Sebastian Vettel (1:44.0, wet) but ahead of Mark Webber (1:47.1, wet). While not the fastest wet lap, the improvement after Wilman’s intervention showed a discernible increase in effort.

Wilman concluded his anecdote with a definitive statement: "That was the day I told Kimi off." The incident serves as a memorable footnote in the history of Top Gear‘s celebrity segment and offers a rare glimpse into a moment when the legendary "Iceman" was momentarily thawed by a television producer determined to uphold the standards of his show. It underscores the unique challenges and occasional friction that can arise when blending the world of elite sports with mainstream entertainment, even for a personality as famously detached as Kimi Raikkonen.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

Latest entries

• F1December 19, 2025Former Top Gear Producer Andy Wilman Recalls Uncharacteristic Confrontation with Kimi Raikkonen During BBC Show Appearance.
• F1December 18, 2025Formula 1 Driver Esteban Ocon Fuels Speculation with Tease of Imminent Marvel-Related Project
• F1December 17, 2025F1 fans celebrate return of “proper track” as Portugal Grand Prix prepares for 2027 comeback
• F1December 17, 2025Pierre Gasly Recalls ‘Relief’ Amidst Red Bull Demotion, Highlighting Absence of Team Support in 2019.