If we could have any person as our driving instructor, it would be Sir Lewis Hamilton, F1 hero. That’s according to AA Driving School research based on 15,000 responses from the general public.
With 19% of the vote, Hamilton storms it – with his arch nemesis Max Verstappen coming in seventh (4%). Top Gear’s The Stig power slides into second place on 15% (which Stig though?).
Mr Motormouth turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson polls in third place (10%) with Fifth Gear’s Vicky Butler-Henderson in fourth (8%) who’s also a former racing instructor so she gets our vote.
In the meantime, men rated Jeremy Clarkson the most while Lewis Hamilton and The Stig were more popular with women.
“I’m sure Lewis and the other top choices would be able to share some valuable tips with young drivers, even if many of their talents are more suited to the racetrack than a local road. If they ever did decide to quit their job and become a driving instructor then we’d certainly welcome them on our training course.”
• Mark Born, Head of Instructor Training Academy, AA Driving School.
Clarkson’s biggest fans? You
Among young drivers (18-24-years-old), it’s Jeremy Clarkson who comes out on top with 29% of the vote compared to Hamilton’s 28%.
Surprisingly, Kaleb Cooper of Clarkson’s Farm fame was a top choice among young drivers too with one in 20 saying they’d love to have the celebrity farmhand teach them.
Tesla’s Elon Musk also featured in the top young people’s choices.
“It’s interesting younger drivers were keener on taking driving tips from Elon Musk than older drivers, but shows how electric vehicles are perhaps more accepted among younger drivers.”
• Mark Born, AA Driving School.
Top dream instructors
The top eight dream instructors (all age groups):
- Sir Lewis Hamilton (19%)
- The Stig (15%)
- Jeremy Clarkson (10%)
- Vicky Butler-Henderson (8%)
- Tiff Needell (6%)
- Paddy McGuiness (6%)
- Max Verstappen (4%)
- Elon Musk (3%)
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Diddly Squat Farm Shop sign photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash