FORMER FORMULA 1 motor racing champion Michael Schumacher revealed himself as Top Gear's mysterious test driver The Stig last night.
Schumacher took off the Stig’s famous white helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson after the studio audience urged him to reveal his identity.
Clarkson jokingly pretended not to recognise Schumacher and asked him what his name was before he became famous as The Stig, before excitedly shouting to the audience: “It’s Michael Schumacher!”
The Stig test drives cars around the Top Geartrack in Dunsfold Park, Surrey, and trains each week's guest for their lap for the star in a reasonably-priced car feature. His identity has been a closely guarded secret.
Silly rumours about The Stig have been used to add to the mystery surrounding the character who never speaks to camera.
Clarkson quizzed Schumacher about some of the rumours, asking: “Are you illegal in 17 US states?”
Schumacher, who was Formula 1 world drivers’ champion seven times, replied: “No, it’s much exaggerated. It’s only nine.”
Clarkson then asked about another rumour: “Some people have told us you only know two facts about ducks and both of them are wrong. Is that true?” Schumacher replied “Well obviously they can fly” and was quickly interrupted by Clarkson who said: “No, they were right, you don’t know anything about ducks.”