Drivetribe Host Mike Breaks Silence: The TRUTH about Clarkson & May Leaving

Рет қаралды 178,135

Road To Success Podcast | Ben Fowler

12 күн бұрын

Join us as Mike Fernie, the visionary head of video at DriveTribe, shares his incredible journey from engineering student to leading one of the most innovative automotive channels on KZfaq. Dive deep into the world of digital content creation alongside automotive legends like Richard Hammond and Ben Collins.
What You'll Discover:
Mike's Early Days:
Starting as an engineering student with a passion for cars, discover how Mike transitioned into the world of automotive journalism.
Building DriveTribe:
Learn about the challenges and triumphs of growing the DriveTribe KZfaq channel from 220,000 to 2.6 million subscribers under Mike's leadership.
Inside Stories:
Hear firsthand accounts of working closely with iconic figures such as Richard Hammond and the dynamics within the DriveTribe team.
Future Aspirations:
Get insights into Mike's vision for the future of DriveTribe and his ongoing projects that blend passion with innovative content creation.
Are you a car enthusiast or a fan of automotive journalism? Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with the leaders shaping the future of car culture.
A big thank you to Mike for sharing his story and to the DriveTribe team for their dedication to revolutionizing automotive content. If you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and share to support our journey into the world of cars!

Пікірлер: 195

@topmandog1 10 күн бұрын

i do miss james on drive tribe

@Elwaves2925 5 күн бұрын

Same here but I'll watch James on any show. Clarkson was never on it enough to get used to him but James did quite a bit for the channel.

@MdvK13979 4 күн бұрын

James has his own channel now (together with Lucy). Same content as what Foodtribe/What Next used to show.

@Rickanroc 4 күн бұрын

@@MdvK13979 Oh whats that channel?

@spiercephotography 2 күн бұрын

@@Rickanroc www.youtube.com/@JamesMayDrinks . He's off promoting his gin/doing crazy things with Lucy :D

@nicholasnaicker6519 3 күн бұрын

Tired of these click bait titles

@HappyDude1 Күн бұрын

Me too So why are they leaving??

@sensiblewheels 20 сағат бұрын

Hell yeah! I was just scrolling through to find out why he actually left. Smh

@ouncy 15 сағат бұрын

Tired of this rich kid.

@RandomGuyDan 12 сағат бұрын

@HappyDude1 He said why. Drivetribe was failing and Hammond bought out May and Clarkson so that he could focus on the KZfaq channel.

@briancristoni8413 4 күн бұрын

One of my favorite drivetribe videos are the James and Richard playing legos while drinking definitely not vodka.

@mattbrown352 4 күн бұрын

You know what, your "come for Hammond, stay for the content" model definitely works. I started watching DT because I was hankering for some more content from the trio, but I kept coming back because honestly, I think you guys are just great. Keep it up!

@TheKnobCalledTone. 5 күн бұрын

It took me a while to warm to Mike on DriveTribe, but now I enjoy watching him. Especially when he does videos with Ben Collins, those two have great chemistry.

@5593doug 4 күн бұрын

I can't stand him. Has awful taste in cars, has no mechanical knowledge and he's just really annoying. Ben Collins is amazing! Mike is crap

@theloneranger2101 4 күн бұрын

@5593doug I totally agree with you about Mike. He very much tries to bask in the sunlight of the Holy Trinity. I've stopped watching Drivetribe because of him. I think the reason we don't see Jezza on the channel is because he also can't stand this guy. In the very early days of Drivetribe, he went to Jeremy's Farm and took one of Jezza's favourite cars for a drive in a video segment and didn't ask permission of Jezza to drive it, and Jezza went nuts with him. I really think that's why Jezza will have nothing to do with this phony car journalist,which is what I think he is, a phony car journalist.

@5593doug 4 күн бұрын

@@theloneranger2101 there's so many reasons not to like him. He just accumulates project cars like they're going out of fashion and doesn't do anything with them. Name one project car that's actually finished and working... Richard's STi? None of Mike's shit Rovers, MGs, Alfa Romeos etc. And he comes across as an arrogant dick that thinks they know everything about cars. As a mechanic turned motorsports engineer I can tell you that Mike is about as clueless as they come. In fact he's the sort of clueless that ruins cars due to his unwarranted confidence in his own abilities. They really need anyone but him presenting.

@benn8793 4 күн бұрын

I don't really know. My experience with Mike is very mixed. Some of his videos are well done. But for every good video, he often has several videos where he comes across as almost "childish" or too "nerdy" for my taste.

@benn8793 4 күн бұрын

@@5593doug Yes, the project cars are actually a very good idea. It's just the execution that's lacking. You don't hear anything anymore about some cars and other cars are sold off as soon as they are finished. How about finishing one first before starting a new one?

@longtailgt 9 күн бұрын

I really love the fact that Mike has started to get into his own skin and be his own character instead of trying to imitate the trio, and he's becoming really good on camera. I quite enjoy his car review-style videos and I hope we get more of those.

@TheOystei 10 күн бұрын

please don't model yourself on Donut media, good way to become unwatchable.

@kierondunn3077 7 күн бұрын

Why are they unwatchable?

@TheOystei 7 күн бұрын

@@kierondunn3077 i can't stand most of their stuff (that i have seen, ofc stopped trying them after a little while)

@yusriex1545 6 күн бұрын

@kierondunn3077 it's cringeworthy

@Elwaves2925 5 күн бұрын

@@yusriex1545 I only know them from their Forza Horizon bit and that was enough to put me off them for life. Definitely not for me.

@Chrisamic 4 күн бұрын

Their "Real Mechanic Reacts" stuff is pretty good. It's about all I watch from Donut. Not their main channel.

@OscarTheSausageDog 10 күн бұрын

This channel seriously deserves waaay more subscribers. I see Ben growing it big time over the coming years. Well done!

@RoadToSuccessOfficialPodcast 10 күн бұрын

I appreciate that!

@flaagan 2 күн бұрын

Honestly, of the trio, having Hammond take ownership / over it makes the most sense. He's still the most involved with cars, and the most excited about it.

@hellcat3522 10 күн бұрын

I hate donut media ads. Way too cringe and their content isn't as good as it used to be. Dont use them as a metric!

@Rob-Robski-Fitt 5 күн бұрын

Big changes at Donut with their vids recently. the fact jobe and Jeremiah are leaving makes me wonder what else is happening behind the scenes

@sparksk8er 5 күн бұрын

their corporate ads stink cause its scripted corpo crap, but their original ads are always a kicker. I still love the Uncle Jerry ads.

@Bod8998 5 күн бұрын

All about the money now that channel Sandro should get his own thing

@Chris-nw6ws 4 күн бұрын

@@Rob-Robski-Fitt are they actually?

@N3onDr1v3 4 күн бұрын

There are only so many up to speed videos that can be done. And james' blood pressure each video must have taken yeara ofd his life

@smcdetailing7921 10 күн бұрын

The Aston Segment in Top Gear. The song made that part all the more special. "Brian Eno - An Ending" beautiful song.

@mrcogginsgarage7062 10 күн бұрын

Not to mention the softly filmed shots of the deer just running,and the black&white photograph of days gone by and a one word ending Goodbuy it was beautifully produced.

@mossy7961 8 күн бұрын

Above & Beyond Essential Mix 2004

@animaltvi9515 4 күн бұрын

Didn't he just say, it's an Aston Martin with a V12 in it. What more is there to say.

@RobBeveridgeCars 10 күн бұрын

I’ve been wondering about DRIVETRIBE for years I’m looking forward to this

@compsrus 5 күн бұрын

DriveTribe is entertaining and puts out good content. Those of us who loved legacy Top Gear, this channel does satisfy that nostalgia at times. I think Mike does a great job, and adding Ben Collins is an amazing idea. Keep up the great work gents!

@steverobinson3900 4 күн бұрын

Love your comment about Clarkson's Aston video. I remember feeling just the way you describe.

@Daz_Stap 10 күн бұрын

A great interview, I really like Mike's style and lack of ego. Plus his love of Rovers!

@runechristiansen7372 3 күн бұрын

The talk about KZfaq and rankings, for me titles such as "THE TRUTH about" or "WHAT REALLY HAPPEND" automatically makes me skip, I know it is some KZfaq algorithm thing but I skip.

@neymrizvi4968 8 күн бұрын

Not going to lie, every now and then I go back and watch the David Souffle Videos and just keep laughing. It's honestly so dumb it's entertaining.

@TheJockeyBoxUSA 10 күн бұрын

YOU! YOU are the reason I finally started a car channel. I remember the very beginning of Drivetribe and watching it grow into this new thing! I knew it was impossible to be one of The Trio, but you have given me hope that it is still possible to be successful as an automotive content creator. Keep it up Mike! (I love your stuff too Ben!)

@stagger87 10 күн бұрын

Oh hell yeah!! Something to watch over dinner. Cheers mate! So keen to see who else comes along in the future :)

@PhilipCockram 4 күн бұрын

Good interview. Mike's come along way and earned his spot .

@fillman86 10 күн бұрын

I like the content, but could you please isolate the mics from the thudding on the desk? It's quite subtle, but a different desk surface would help, maybe felt, or is it the sound travelling into the mic? if so, just some insulation between the desk and your unsprung mics

@FattyLumpOfPoo 4 күн бұрын

hello filman

@Excellence123 4 күн бұрын

Didn't expect to see the muye beamng guy here

@fillman86 4 күн бұрын

@@Excellence123 lol I do my own thing, and sometimes collab with muye, I also collab with carmighty, camodo, and even once with jelly

@eurocon 10 күн бұрын

Man, another epic interview! Every guest is pure win atm, some point in the future people will be queuing up to be interviewed here.. wonder who your 1st F1 driver would be?

@andysheppard9727 9 күн бұрын

My bets are lando

@eurocon 9 күн бұрын

@andysheppard9727 past f1 drivers count also i guess, see Button doing plenty interviews

@chrissumner325 7 күн бұрын

@HA05GER 10 күн бұрын

The bakery scene thay clarkson did is in a grand tour episode if I'm not mistaken. Possibly the episdoe they towed the boat with the citroen.

@42Oregon 14 сағат бұрын

A great interview doesn't need a clickbait title lads.

@gavstenhouse8857 10 күн бұрын

Amazing podcast as someone has already mentioned this channel deserves so much more well played Ben and Mike 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@louispigott6161 8 күн бұрын

Great interview. I was suprised about Mikes opinion on the final Top Gears with the trio. In my opinion the last few series with the guys had some of the best episodes of all time. The specials, Africa, Burma ect were simply epic and a lot of the episodes, hovervan and hire car vs sailing boat race to name but a few were simply hilarious. I feel Mikes suggestion TG should have stopped in 2012 is definitely not shared with that many fans

@matthewbridger2991 7 сағат бұрын

They were still in their prime when "executives" made "executive decisions"

@shaunwafer6907 10 күн бұрын

Another fantastic interview! This channel just gets better and better 👍🏻

@camwinstone 10 күн бұрын

Ben is so good at this love these podcasts. Also Auto Express launched in 1988, I remember getting the first issue.

@mattkinsella9856 10 күн бұрын

I really like Mike and what he's done on Drivetribe and very glad that led me here. A fantastic interview and podcast, I really enjoyed it. I also agree with Mike about Rover, they're not all great, far from it but a few exceptions shine, I like the 220 turbo in particular.

@tomimoto 10 күн бұрын

This is my favorite podcast!!

@OYMInternetRadio 5 күн бұрын

Benedict, Is there any chance you could show us the technical setup of your mobile studio. It's a great idea and something that I might do myself regarding a different subject matter. Can you show camera types, lights, recording, power etc.

@scottmorgan8845 10 күн бұрын

Really enjoyed that interview. Well done all 👌🏻📸🙌

@BugattiONE666 10 күн бұрын

So what do you mean leaving? James wasnt exactly a presenter for Drivetribe, what has he said he is refusing to ever come back?

@WS12658 3 күн бұрын

If you watch, he says that Hammond bought the DriveTribe brand, so May and Clarkson are no longer invested or involved in it.

@BugattiONE666 3 күн бұрын

@@WS12658 ...They never were? They made an ad for the app that died on release and made appearences, well one for Jezza, why would either have anything to do with the company itself ?

@jezzter4293 4 күн бұрын

You do a great job Mike. I remember meeting Jeremy at JaguarSport when he slagged off the early DB7's ... he is a huge bloke! He was nicer about it when we'd finished developing it LOL I lived in a near village to Chipping Norton so when the car was good & Jeremy drove it around a local place to me it was great

@Galf506 4 күн бұрын

Idk if it was intentional or it's just the youtube gods, but thanks for reducing the number of adverts, it's now actually watchable

@matthewyoung3942 10 күн бұрын

Ben you really deserve more for the quality of the content you're putting out with these interviews. You're a natural at getting people to open up and position the right questions at the right time but I do feel there's a progressive move forward. I'd love to see the dynamic if you introduced group the occasional group interviews, almost like an old school Parkinson/Norton Saturday night show. The opportunity for views if you were to have a van of Alex, Freddie and Mike for example with you at the helm trying to keep them on track would be incredible. I know KZfaqrs are the first to say collabs are difficult because of schedules ect but even booking 6-12 months in advance would be worth it surely. You could then expand into live podcasts with such guests to generate further revenue. Sweat the assets, following and connections you have and ramp it up! There are plenty of podcasts but very little in the way of Automotive collabs with depth, conversation and meaningful insight. Allow the guests to challenge each other's opinions and play off it, it would be gold!!! Keep it up mate ❤

@jimguppy7204 7 күн бұрын

Never really been able to properly enjoy Drivetribe, too many clickbait thumbnails and titles and name-dropping, and Mike seems to try way too hard to be "loud" for lack of a better term, the Donut media comment does kind of explain that, trying to be a typical motoring youtuber with no identity of his own.

@glorfindel17 5 күн бұрын

Immediately went to find the Vantage video - wonderful 😍

@jakepayne9822 10 күн бұрын

Matt Armstrong integrates ads the best.

@S1E2SportQuattro 10 күн бұрын

Matt armstrong is such a great KZfaqr

@HappyDude1 Күн бұрын

So why are they leaving?

@kylekaye9147 Күн бұрын

Drive tribe is my favourite watch these days. Brilliant content

@PaulSlade1 10 күн бұрын

Well done Ben Fantastic! I’ve shared the heck out of this. Just saw you on Matt Armstrong Brilliant! From Phoenix, Arizona, USA

@RoadToSuccessOfficialPodcast 10 күн бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@tonyquickpasta 8 күн бұрын

Ben, love the podcast and listen to each episode. Please have a check regarding your compression settings on your mic. Listening in the car I am changing the volume all the time, laughing becomes almost deafening which is followed by then extremely quiet normal talking. This episode although exciting and engaging became difficult to listen to due to the constant significant changed in volume.

@bigdaveowens76 9 күн бұрын

I remember that Aston V12 segment. Yes it was very emotional

@Gorbyrev 9 күн бұрын

Enjoyed that. Mike, if you have a look through the comments keep up the great work.

@fabianporst5847 9 күн бұрын

Gotta love how Mike is rocking his 500€ Tissot whilst Ben is wearing a 30k Rolex Daytona

@amato5232 9 күн бұрын

Great interview as usual. Honestly think mike is doing a top job, makes content that's just really enjoyable

@Tom-lf8hx Күн бұрын

The best this about mike and drive tribe is they arnt donut media, plz mike dont compare your self to them, they have their place in the u.s you have yours ❤❤

@topmandog1 10 күн бұрын

james will never push past this limits minus when he crashed in a tunnel

@arslan479 10 күн бұрын

I love mike and what he has done. I really don’t like what Drive Tribe did at the start. As Jayemm cars brought to our attention they were being totally unfair, creating tribes was the idea & uploading videos to their platform. They refused KZfaq which was mad so effectively working for free. Make no wonder it took ages to take off.

@ChrisRoughley-do1rs 10 күн бұрын

Brilliant episode

@MaDMaXGroWShoW 10 күн бұрын

Mike has so much Passion for the game. Got to love it. Love Drive Tribe. On another note. 33K views so far, but only 1 k likes and 47k Subs, something not right here. Sub to Ben he is such a good guy and giving us some good insight in to our fav KZfaqrs, comes on Give Ben a Sub, ITS FREE!!

@SmallBikeStuff 2 күн бұрын

Watching at 7:30 about the niche audience. Completely agree. People don’t realise just how narrow the audience pool can get.

@kenknight5983 4 күн бұрын

Living outside the UK, I do wonder if Drivetribe would travel internationally if a region's tourism department sponsored it. Down here in Western Australia, I can think of three different motoring events in the countryside that would get a massive boost if Drivetribe were there

@Maplefleetservices 4 күн бұрын

Would the British humour travel well? I wonder..

@harrypenn611 10 күн бұрын

HOOVIE ........ good now I have your attention, brilliant interview once again ........ HOOVIE could be s very tough shell to open but a well loved bloke could be very interesting

@georgedavies5042 3 күн бұрын

Car throttle really is just the gift that keeps giving

@Vampirebear13 10 күн бұрын

Another brilliant episode !!!!! I love Mike !!!!

@jameswarland9710 10 күн бұрын

Love Mike and the drivetribe channel. Also love rovers my mum had a Rover 216GTI In black that we used to go to school in. Surprisingly quick but also quite shit

@fieldie 10 күн бұрын

Ahh the Rover 216GTI, back then it was a cool car, compared to today's standards yeh it's shit lol but back then it was a cool alternative car to have, different from the common Ford XR3i's and RS Turbo's lol

@Adamholmes281 8 күн бұрын

Every time I see Mike I’m waiting for him to start singing “I’m blue, da ba dee” 😂

@jackkirmond9587 Күн бұрын

I come to Drive Tribe for Mike and his V10 converted MX5 nothing else

@ryanb94457 5 күн бұрын

Colin Furze does a great job at showing his sponsor in a watchable way.

@markbiggart1265 4 күн бұрын

Love you on Drivetribe Mike well done mate

@thatcarladmatt 10 күн бұрын

Great video. Can see one day you having over 1M subscribers one day Ben.

@KopCole 10 күн бұрын

Misleading thumbnail. Click bait

@jus__gra 10 күн бұрын

Can’t wait to see you in 7 months being a negative Nancy again.

@invisiblekid99 10 күн бұрын

Yeah he does that a lot.

@trisinogy 5 күн бұрын

Fuck it. I’ll stop watching right now. And downvote.

@ITGuy78 2 күн бұрын

FYI According to Google Maps, the Isle of Arran is 55.5 miles around, and 1hr 58mins on a clear day.

@kjah06 10 күн бұрын

Mike = Watch Cleetus McFarland and how he does his ads. They're nuts!!!!! And hugely funny.

@Rider_Tom 7 күн бұрын

Anyone know what watch he's wearing?

@WS12658 3 күн бұрын

Who? Ben or Mike?

@lord_scrubington Күн бұрын

Mic was studying engineering?? I always had him down as a media studies guy

@SwinburneSam 10 күн бұрын

Drivetribe is in liquidation on companies house?

@ethannicosia979 10 күн бұрын

Use a low pass filter for your vocal audio. Be thumping my sub 😭

@samcarpenter_ 2 күн бұрын

Please don't integrate your ads. Nobody wants to watch them, you have to leave it separate.

@flaagan 2 күн бұрын

That Aston Martin vid is an amazing edit, but like so much of what Clarkson has said in recent years, it totally missed the mark.

@stevenbrown9374 10 күн бұрын

Carwow does have sponsors.

@mrcogginsgarage7062 10 күн бұрын

Enjoying this thanks both, It's good to see Mike turned down a bit from eleven that's more like it.

@jarletronerud 7 күн бұрын

620 ti went like lightning :)

@lukebarnes8097 7 күн бұрын

Was Clarkson ever on DriveTribe in the first place?

@benn8793 4 күн бұрын

Not really. Years ago, he made a few opinion videos from time to time. One or two of them even went "viral". But otherwise he never really seems to have been all that interested in DriveTribe. I think the last video I saw Clarkson in was actually the infamous video where Mike made him angry for driving his Alfa without asking...

@Scuffed_Andy 10 күн бұрын

Dude watch your volume. Sometimes you bellow.

@eddie5980 10 күн бұрын

Remember you drove Jeremy’s car without permission LOL

@eddie5980 7 күн бұрын

He’s an erse, SO HE IS

@eddie5980 7 күн бұрын

MIKE FANNY

@paulstill6867 7 күн бұрын

Richard is great but he acts on screen.Mike is Mike . Mike is now the face of drive tribe and the others are his guests. I watch to see Mike .

@TinyMiniStealth 10 күн бұрын

Mr Beats’s Feastables ads are pretty clever as the protagonist completes challenges

@TechMarcB 2 күн бұрын

61-80K for an R8 V8 in the US

@The_BenboBaggins 10 күн бұрын

There's plenty of Rover MG kinks out there...

@kentonian 2 күн бұрын

The car world needs intelligent people like Mike involved. The top gear/grand tour buffoons can be entertaining but I like to watch people who understand and appreciate the engineering and technicalities.

@EJWEST333 10 күн бұрын

Farringdon’s Joe rogan 😂 love it mate

@Czechbound 9 күн бұрын

Wow ... watch the sound levels ... shouting into the mic halfway through just split my eardrums .... calm down as they say

@jimchik 3 күн бұрын

The idea of taking the cars you grew up with and 1-upping them, for the reasons you stated, is something not uncommon. I share that idea, too, to be honest.

@Gingerbreadman18 4 күн бұрын

Well it's an Aston Martin Vantage with a V12 engine, so what do you think it's going to be like? ... Goodbye ... You weren't the only one who welled up mike!! 😢 brilliant delivery!!

@lukedanielgalon1596 2 күн бұрын

Honestly you are a interesting presenter

@Tbo1235 9 күн бұрын

Drive tribe ads are shocking along with the content

@viktorhaluzicky5216 10 күн бұрын

44:36 as u said u're more like James so yer vids can't preform like Richards

@garyfuzz2434 4 күн бұрын

Anybody else sick to death of KZfaqrs metaphorically sucking off topgear presenters.yip they were successful and fairplay.How much time did they spend talking about Chris goffey or Steve…….erm the motorbike guy?.yip none,no references or accolades given.I find myself scrolling past more of them now as the dynamics are changing more quicker than the seasons.unfortunately trailblazing has been done and unless your a geek fan then current KZfaq content is a tough watch

@GeoOptics 5 күн бұрын

It’s like seeing a little bald internet car host of the future being born!😢

@ozsolt05 4 күн бұрын

Tl:DR(W) ?

@sha22276 2 күн бұрын

I need that also

@ads74555 9 күн бұрын

Just something about this Mike guy pisses me off, hate how he uses may and Richard for clickbait, its like yeah ok you work for/with them you don't have to act like a kid in a sweet shop everytime they feature.