Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz named to host Top Gear alongside Chris Evans
An online car-reviewing sensation and a Nürburgring genius have been named unofficially by The Telegraph as the new hosts of the BBC's Top Gear car show — Chris Harris, and Sabine Schmitz. Formula 1 race winner David Coulthard is also said to be involved in hosting the show.
Schmidt has starred several times on Top Gear, with her sub ten–minute lap of the Nürburgring in a Ford Transit van representing a highlight. She's also been a host of Germany's own car show D Motor, a factory race driver for BMW and Porsche, and the most well-known 'ring taxi' operators at the Nürburgring.
Sabine Schmitz and the famed Nürburgring 'ring taxi'. Photo / Sourced
Harris meanwhile has established a cult following in the motoring world through his detailed online car reviews on Drive, and his own channel; Chris Harris on Cars.
Harris also recently helped deliver one of the most politically fraught car comparisons, where he, former Top Gear and current Fifth Gear host Tiff Needel, and racer Marino Franchitti compared the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and LaFerrari.
The still unconfirmed reports follow news of two of Top Gear's staff — script editor Tom Ford, and executive producer Lisa Clark — leaving the fold. Clark in particular had only joined the show five months ago, reportedly recruited for the position by Chris Evans.
The celebrated but controversial show fell into turmoil earlier this year after the axing of outspoken host Jeremy Clarkson, with his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond following suit. As previously reported, all three will now star in a rivaling car show on the Amazon network, with former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman also defecting to the Amazon platform.
BBC's repackaged new Top Gear will return to screens on May 8th.