Remembering when Sir Patrick Stewart lapped the Top Gear Test Track

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Sir Patrick Stewart has passed away. He was 86.

The celebrated British actor was an icon of the stage, small and silver screen, his two most famous and recognisable performances as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and of course as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise.

Tributes have poured in from across the world, including from his X-Men co-star, acting great and close friend Sir Ian McKellen, who said “he wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love”.

Fellow Star Trek legend William Shatner said Sir Patrick’s character Picard “stood for the best of us and so did the man who played him”.

Here at TopGear.com, we remember another one of Sir Patrick’s many epic performances: lapping a very reasonably priced Suzuki Liana around Dunsfold after sharing his car history. And when asked by Clarkson on how he found the car, Sir Patrick showed us all why he was so adored.

“Ordinary,” he said.

Ordinary, yes, but it was no ordinary time. He managed an entirely respectable 1m 50s, putting him a clear second ahead of the man he desperately wanted to beat, the late, also great Sir Michael Gambon.

“You just made me very, very happy,” he smiled after a speechless pause. “I think I just might buy the show out tonight.”

RIP, Captain.