By Jordan Grim • October 24, 2025 • 6:00 AM (PDT)
By Jordan Grim • October 24, 2025 • 6:00 AM (PDT)
Richard Hammond has returned to the iconic Top Gear circuit, this time at the wheel of Porsche’s 992.2-generation 911 GT3 — a car that seems tailor-made for him. It’s been over a decade since Hammond last filmed for the show that made him a household name, but his reunion with the track feels like time stood still.
The updated GT3 might look almost identical to its predecessor, yet true Porsche fans know the magic lies beneath the surface. Hammond wasted no time putting it through its paces, letting the car’s precision and balance remind him — and everyone watching — why the GT3 remains such a benchmark in modern performance cars.
As he lapped the circuit, Hammond reflected on his Top Gear years, recalling moments when car reviews were more about raw emotion than polished production. For long-time viewers, seeing him back on familiar asphalt stirred nostalgia for an era when the trio’s chemistry made car journalism feel alive.
Hammond’s love for the Porsche 911 has never been a secret — often teased by co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May — yet his affection has aged as gracefully as the car itself. The latest GT3 proves Porsche hasn’t lost touch with purity. Despite tightening emissions rules, it still uses a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine, revving freely to 9,000 rpm.
Producing 502 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, the GT3 isn’t chasing trends with hybrid tech or turbocharging. Instead, it delivers a visceral, old-school thrill that Hammond describes as “absolutely brilliant.”
In a world shifting toward electrification, the Porsche 911 GT3 — and Hammond’s heartfelt reunion — remind us why authentic driving passion still matters.
