--- title: "Final Top Gear Stig’s Identity Revealed by Jeremy Clarkson" date: "2024-09-25" modified: "2024-09-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/final-top-gear-stigs-identity-revealed-by-jeremy-clarkson" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "People" --- # Final Top Gear Stig’s Identity Revealed by Jeremy Clarkson ![]() *\Getty\* Now that both *Top Gear* and [*The Grand Tour*]() are over (at least until they're brought back with new hosts) it seems the former hosts are willing to [dish out some secrets]()—one of which is the identity of the third and final Stig. During a Q&A at the screening of the series' final episode, Jeremy Clarkson finally revealed who the most recent tamed racing driver was. Some say he only knows two facts about ducks and both of them are wrong, but all we *now* know is that he's called Phil Keen. Over the course of 33 seasons, there were three different Stigs. The first two were Perry McCarthy, the British Le Mans and Formula 1 driver, and Ben Collins, the British racing driver and stunt ace. McCarthy's Stig was the only one to wear a black racing suit and only lasted two seasons. Collins lasted much longer but was eventually let go from Top Gear in 2010 after revealing his identity as The Stig in his autobiography *The Man in the White Suit.* However, the third and final Stig's identity was kept secret up until just a few days ago. After a screening of ["One for the Road"]() at his farm, Clarkson said, "The original Stig was Perry McCarthy, followed by Ben Collins, followed by Phil Keen." https://youtu.be/dmyEe2Iw4dk?si=29Ts7zIDe1rXblMQ&t=1260 Keen is still a British GT Championship driver and considered to be the most successful, with 24 wins, 16 poles, and a Supersport class win. Keen was The Stig from 2010-2022. The Q&A is pretty long and filled with interesting facts and anecdotes about both Top Gear and The Grand Tour. Clarkson also recommended that both the BBC and Amazon stop looking to hire famous people to continue hosting their respective shows, like he's heard they're trying to do. Instead, he said they should look for young car enthusiasts who aren't famous, just like the original Top Gear trio were at first. As someone who grew up watching Top Gear, as I'm sure most of us have, it's fun to get some behind-the-scenes info on the show that inspired so much of our collective car enthusiasm. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()