Rubens is THE STAR in a Reasonably Priced Car

Posted on Monday 12 Jul 2010 and tagged with rubens-barrichello, top-gear.

Yeeeehaaaaa, yup its official, Rubens isn’t a Star In A Reasonably Priced Car, he is THE Star In A Reasonably Priced Car as he toppled a much-vaunted lap record round the Dunsfold Top Gear track last Wednesday, in the process whipping a who’s who of Formula One drivers and the Stig.

After pre-recording the show last week, Rubens was itching to dine out on his achievement, which is a highly prized accolade in the F1 paddock, but the show not due to air until Sunday night after the British Grand Prix, he was obliged to Button his lip.

Rubens showed admirable restraint almost all weekend until a live interview on BBC F1 after the race, when he encouraged viewers to give some football game that was on last night a miss – and vote with the remote for Top Gear. Eddie Jordan read the line perfectly – “Were you quick then, Rubens?”

“Couldn’t possibly comment, I am not allowed to,” said our Brazilian peddler. But as the smile cracked across his face, Jordan had him sussed. “You wouldn’t tell us to watch it if you weren’t quick……”

Jenson - who took his two cracks at the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car challenge very seriously by all accounts - ear-wigged the interview and was soon all over Rubens like a cheap suit. “How did you get on, what time did you get, eh, come on….”

Well, now you know, Jenson. Looks like the gloves are coming off on this one.

The Top Gear F1 SIARPC Lap Times

Rubens Barrichello 1:44.3
The Stig 1:44.4
Nigel Mansell 1:44.6
Lewis Hamilton 1:44.7 (W)
Jenson Button 1:44.7
Damon Hill 1:46.3
Mark Webber 1:47.1 (W)

Now, we've got a little fly on the wall film of Ruben's Top Gear day out coming to attwilliams.com soon, but for the meantime, take a peak here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8808923.stm