Top Gear has confirmed the final line-up of on-screen talent who will be joining Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc when it premieres on the BBC in May.
Ex Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan, world record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Chris Harris, and car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid have been confirmed for the rebooted motoring series.
Who are the new team members?
Eddie Jordan (second right) comes armed with a trademark no-nonsense, richly experienced view of the motoring world. The Dublin-born entrepreneur has flirted with cars all his life, and as owner of the former Jordan Grand Prix team gave many of the world’s most iconic drivers their first taste of the F1 starting grid, including Michael Schumacher, who made his debut for Jordan in 1991, and Eddie Irvine.
Sabine Schmitz, the legendary Queen of the Nurburgring, re-enters Top Gear folklore by becoming the show’s first female presenter in 15 years. Another familiar face to Top Gear viewers following her appearances in series 5 and series 11, she has already completed some filming with Chris Evans in a sequence that will leave even the most hardened speed–demons gasping for breath.
Chris Harris (third right), the man whose very name sends shivers through many car manufacturers' boardrooms, comes armed with a self-confessed determination to cause mischief and tell viewers insightful things about automobiles they probably didn’t even think they needed to know.
Rory Reid (far left) was recruited to Top Gear from last year’s 2015 public auditions and is an award-winning journalist. He launched CNET’s Car Tech channel, and also had a starring role in Sky 1’s Gadget Geeks series.
Chris Evans said: “We really do have a bit of everything for everyone. A fellow lifelong petrolhead from the other side of the pond in Matt; a fearless speed-demon in the irrepressible and effervescent Sabine; the encyclopedic, funny and wonderfully colourful character that is EJ; Chris, one of the world’s top no-nonsense car reviewers; and Rory, who simply blew me away in his audition and fully deserves his place on the team."
Eddie Jordan said: “I’m giddy with excitement to be joining Chris and the team. I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones. Cars are in my DNA and although I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish most things I ever aspired to in motorsport, presenting Top Gear is quite simply the icing on the cake.”
Sabine added: “I grew up next to the Nurburgring, and have been racing for most of my life, so the chance to combine both driving and filming was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’ve appeared on Top Gear a few times in the past, so I know we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
The Stig was unavailable for comment.
