Barbados Today

Ace Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is set to up his revs in Barbados.

Top Gear Festival announced today that the 2008 World Champion would be joining the star-studded line-up of world famous presenters and motor sport legends at the inaugural Top Gear Festival in Barbados from May 17 to 18.

As part of an action-packed weekend of motoring spectacles, the British Grand Prix ace will take to the newly refurbished Bushy Park Circuit in St. Philip to join a host of challenges set by Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. Hamilton has a natural affinity to the Caribbean region with his paternal grandparents hailing from Grenada.

Hamilton, whose passion for motor racing began at the tender age of eight, has had an enviable career which includes records for the most consecutive podium finishes from debut, most wins and pole positions in a debut season and most notably was the youngest driver to win the F1 World Driver’s Championship six years ago.

Hamilton, 29, joins an illustrious list of F1 supremos, World Champions and race winners to appear at a Top Gear Festival including David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Mika Hakkinen, Jody Scheckter and Eddie Jordan.

“I cannot wait to touch down in Barbados for the Top Gear Festival,” Hamilton said. “I love the island and have been on the TV show a few times and always have a lot of fun, so I’m excited to experience the spirit of Top Gear at a live event. I can’t wait to see what Jeremy, James and Richard have in store for me,”

Top Gear Festival Barbados is expected to draw tens of thousands of motor sports enthusiasts for a thrilling weekend of high-octane motoring action with Clarkson, May and Hammond. The jam-packed schedule of motoring antics will see The Stig and the Top Gear Live Stunt Driving Team take to the track in a series of thrilling stunts, races and challenges.

The Red Bull Global Rallycross will hold the first round of their 2014 season at Top Gear Festival Barbados, which will see some of their hottest drivers compete on the track including Ken Block, Bucky Lasek and Scott Speed. The legendary line-up also includes Tanner Foust who co-hosts the US version of Top Gear.