James May defends 'idiotic' challenge following brutal Grand Tour crash

James May has defended an 'idiotic' stunt on The Grand Tour which resulted in him smashing into a wall at high speed. Have a listen:

Typically, when you watch a show presented by May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, it is the latter who is most likely to wind up in a brutal crash, with May earning himself the nickname 'Captain Slow' for, well, obvious reasons.

However, their new special, The Grand Tour presents: A Scandi Flick, is quite the departure from this norm.

May finds himself in numerous scrapes in the newly-released edition of the show, which sees the trio head for the icy wastes of the Scandinavian Arctic Circle at the wheel of their favourite rally cars.

Undoubtedly, the standout moment comes when May brutally smashes into a wall during a challenge which some viewers have branded 'idiotic'.

The 59-year-old sustained a broken rib in the crash and many people watching on at home felt the stunt was a recipe for disaster.

Of course, racing cars at high speed is integral to what May and co do; however, many felt going full pelt down a dark tunnel towards a dead end wasn't the best idea.

The aim was to see which of the trio could get their rally car up to the highest speed, but evidently keen to beat Clarkson's speed, May pushed it a little too far, eventually slamming on the brakes before hurtling side-on into the wall.

Reacting on social media, a lot of viewers were shocked by the crash - but not at all shocked that the challenge resulted in a crash, with one person labelling it 'one of the most idiotic ideas they've ever had'.

@JeremyClarkson
You blithering idiot, James May was suffering because of your stupid idea of racin a tunnel.

— Jimmy Hummus (@AHHHHHHHHHSSSS) September 16, 2022

Probably one of the most idiotic ideas they’ve ever had

— Alex Lehneis (@alexlehneis) September 15, 2022

@MrJamesMay hurt himself in the new Grand Tour by DRIVING AS FAST AS HE COULD AT A WALL IN A DARK TUNNEL

— Ra-Ra-Rasputim (@timpac) September 16, 2022

Not sure to feel more sorry for the evo or @MrJamesMay who's stupid idea was it to do a speed test in a tunnel oh wait CLARKSON!!

— chris smith (@ChrisSmith1678) September 16, 2022

However, May has insisted he only had himself to blame.

Asked whether in hindsight the challenge was unsafe, May told LADbible: "No... Well, nothing is ever completely safe when you're doing competitive car stuff.

"But no, I don't think it was a particularly unsafe idea. I think I just cocked it up, to be honest.

"There's no point trying to make any excuses for it. I just ballsed it up in a very uncharacteristic way.

"It's supposed to be Hammond who crashes - and also Hammond was going third, and it's better for telly if the third one crashes."

Thankfully, May told us the crash had no lasting repercussions, explaining that'd he broken ribs before and 'it's just boring really'.

As for whether he had any apprehension about getting back behind the wheel, he said: "No, I think just driving too fast down tunnels with no lights is probably what I'm apprehensive about - but I don't think I'm ever going to do that again."

The Grand Tour presents: A Scandi Flick launched on Prime Video today (16 September).