close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Hamilton

Hamilton surprises boss in "James Bond-like" off-road test

Hamilton — Photo: © LAT Images

Hamilton surprises boss in "James Bond-like" off-road test

Hamilton takes a spin in the new INEOS 4X4

Lewis Hamilton surprised Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he ran the rule over the Mercedes F1 investor's £52,000 Ineos Grenadier 4X4.

Ratcliffe is a one-third owner of the Mercedes team, with team principal Toto Wolff and Daimler holding equal shares.

In order to test his new Grenadier off-road machine, the INEOS CEO joined Hamilton for a blast around the Millbrook Proving Ground.

During the review video, Ratcliffe concedes to 'holding on' as the seven-time F1 champion lets loose on gravel, mud and asphalt.

"I'm genuinely enjoying driving this car," said Hamilton. "It definitely felt James Bond-like. It feels like you've got missiles that could come out.

"If I were to order mine, I'd do this all in black and have all those extra lights that you guys have and the beefed-up wheels."

But it was not all smooth sailing, with Hamilton fearing he had ripped a wheel off the car at one point and Ratcliffe quipping: "We nearly hit that post when you were doing your handbrake [turn]."

In response, Hamilton said: "I was miles away."

You can see the full video below that earned Hamilton praise from Ratcliffe who told the 37-year-old: "Considering you've not driven off-road that much, you took to that quite quickly. It's surprising, for a Formula 1 driver."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 journalist kicked out by Max Verstappen breaks silence over Japanese Grand Prix storm

F1 journalist kicked out by Max Verstappen breaks silence over Japanese Grand Prix storm

  • 13 minutes ago
FIA announce last-minute Japanese Grand Prix qualifying rule change

FIA announce last-minute Japanese Grand Prix qualifying rule change

  • 1 hour ago
Who is Melissa Jimenez? F1 presenter and mother of Fernando Alonso's child

Who is Melissa Jimenez? F1 presenter and mother of Fernando Alonso's child

  • 1 hour ago
George Russell team member 'slept under' Japanese Grand Prix grandstand

George Russell team member 'slept under' Japanese Grand Prix grandstand

  • 2 hours ago
Max Verstappen not impressed by FIA rule change ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen not impressed by FIA rule change ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

  • 3 hours ago
Aston Martin F1 chief named as Audi target after Jonathan Wheatley drama

Aston Martin F1 chief named as Audi target after Jonathan Wheatley drama

  • Today 11:55

Just in

16:07
F1 journalist kicked out by Max Verstappen breaks silence over Japanese Grand Prix storm
15:14
FIA announce last-minute Japanese Grand Prix qualifying rule change
14:26
Who is Melissa Jimenez? F1 presenter and mother of Fernando Alonso's child
13:43
George Russell team member 'slept under' Japanese Grand Prix grandstand
12:55
Max Verstappen not impressed by FIA rule change ahead of Japanese Grand Prix
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 journalist kicked out by Max Verstappen breaks silence over Japanese Grand Prix storm Japanese Grand Prix

F1 journalist kicked out by Max Verstappen breaks silence over Japanese Grand Prix storm

13 minutes ago
George Russell team member 'slept under' Japanese Grand Prix grandstand F1 Off the Track

George Russell team member 'slept under' Japanese Grand Prix grandstand

2 hours ago
Aston Martin F1 crisis: Every word of Lance Stroll's Japanese Grand Prix press conference Aston Martin F1

Aston Martin F1 crisis: Every word of Lance Stroll's Japanese Grand Prix press conference

Today 10:55
Max Verstappen banishes English journalist from press conference: 'Get out' Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen banishes English journalist from press conference: 'Get out'

Today 08:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x