Popular automotive journalist and farmer Jeremy Clarkson, known for his roles on BBC's Top Gear, Amazon Prime's The Grand Tour, and Clarkson's Farm, has offered to teach Formula One drivers how to reverse off-road. This offer came after Oscar Piastri got himself out of a tricky situation during the Australian Grand Prix by reversing his stuck McLaren MCL39 Formula One car from the grass, saving himself from potential disqualification.
On March 17, 2025, Saajan Jogia reported from the Albert Park Circuit where Piastri drove impressively, contending with his teammate Lando Norris for the top positions amid challenging weather conditions. The rain during the later stages of the race hampered Piastri's progress, sending him sliding onto the grass.
While Lando Norris also lost control, he expertly managed to regain his footing and reposition his car to continue his race at the front. Meanwhile, Piastri faced the troubling predicament of spinning his car's rear tires on the grass, which seemed to signal the end of his race. Undeterred, he demonstrated remarkable skill, managing to reverse the car after several attempts. He eventually rejoined the race from 13th position, advancing to secure P9 by the end.
After the race, Piastri shared how his prior experience at Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm had prepared him for this moment. During his visit last year, he learned how to reverse a tractor, which proved surprisingly handy. "I tried to push a bit too much, I guess," he reflected. "Those conditions were very difficult to judge just how slippery it's going to be. I think from one lap to the next, it had really changed a lot. I could see Lando going off in front of me, but I was already committed to the corner, so there wasn't much I could do to slow myself down at the point. Then once you're in the gravel, you try to keep the car as straight as possible. Getting stuck was pretty unbelievable. But I've only got myself to blame for being there, so it’s a shame," Piastri stated.
Elaborately discussing his tractor lessons, he added, "I just was trying to stay in the race. Tried to go forwards and couldn't, so good thing I spent some time during the off-season trying to learn how to reverse a tractor on Jeremy Clarkson's farm, I think it came in handy today." His clever maneuvers not only saved his race but also caught the attention of Clarkson himself.
Following Piastri's impressive recovery, Clarkson humorously extended his expertise to the Formula One community through social media. He put out a post on X offering help to Formula One drivers, stating: "F1 drivers: If you want to learn how to reverse off-road, give me a call. It certainly helped @OscarPiastri today." Now, Clarkson is not only known for his reality TV star persona but also for offering invaluable driving lessons.
This incident exemplifies the unpredictability of motorsports and showcases how even small, seemingly trivial experiences can turn out to be pivotal when high-stakes situations arise. The intersection of racing and agricultural skills might seem odd, but Piastri’s triumph reminds fans and fellow drivers alike of the importance of adaptability and quick thinking on the track. Both Oscar Piastri and Jeremy Clarkson have shown us, much to the delight of fans, how practical knowledge can lead to success, even under pressure.
