Clarkson: 'My Ferrari book is a complete rip-off, don't buy it'

There are few car manufacturers that have not been on the receiving end of Jeremy Clarkson's vitriolic criticisms. Now, apparently, he has found a new target - his own book.

There are few car manufacturers that have not been on the receiving end of Jeremy Clarkson's vitriolic criticisms. Now, apparently, he has found a new target - his own book.

Writing in next month's edition of Top Gear magazine, the television presenter says his new book - Jeremy Clarkson on Ferrari is the worst thing he has ever done. Mr Clarkson writes: "Last year an old friend stopped by to relive old times, drink some whisky and ask if I'd write a book about Ferrari for his new publishing company.

"He said: 'It'll be great'. It isn't. I saw a copy last week and would have to say it's a complete rip-off and anyone thinking about buying it should flush the money down the loo instead. It'd be more rewarding. The reviews have been bad but they don't go far enough. With the possible exceptions of Captain Corelli's Mandolin and A A Gill's Sap Rising, it is the worst book in the whole world."

The cloth-bound versions of Jeremy Clarkson on Ferrari, a limited edition of 1,500, are on sale for £245. But publishers are apparently hoping Ferrari fanatics will want one of 550 leather-bound versions embossed with a silver plaque - at £595 each.

Speaking last night, Mr Clarkson said his "old friend", Pete Butters, would be very annoyed by the comments but it was not something he had done lightly. he said: "I spoke to Pete's wife the other night ... and told her I thought it wasn't very good but in an amicable way, although I don't know if things will be that amicable now.

"I know it's likely to make them very angry but I don't want people going out and spending their hard-earned cash on this book just because it's got my name on it."

He said he had received no payment for the "ridiculous tome" and if he did he would give it to charity. He also insisted his comments were not a publicity stunt and that he had not fallen out with Mr Butters.