The popular automotive show Top Gear will double up the number of hosts. Instead of three, the new 2016 Top Gear show, broadcasted from this May onwards, will be hosted by six people. A background of the new hosts is very diverse. From journalists, test driver, former Formula 1 team owner to a movie star.

Chris Evans got five more assistants

After last year’s conflict with Jeremy Clarkson, for which the BBC did not extend the contract with this charismatic leader, the BBC management has to prepare a new image of the show. Since both co-hosts, James May and Richard Hammond, also left the scene, the entirely new lineup for the show was selected.

The main host Chris Evans, a former BBC radio host, will be joined by five co-hosts. These are Matt LeBlanc, an automotive enthusiast, better known as Joey from the sitcom Friends, a former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, automotive journalists Chris Harris and Rory Reid and German test driver Sabine Schmitz.

With the exception of Rory Reid, which was selected through audition, the remaining co-hosts were directly invited from BBC executives.

An essential part of the show will of course continue to be a test driver Stig.

Meet Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc is an American actor, known primarily for his character Joey Tribbiani  in American sitcom Friends. LeBlanc is a huge car fan and the owner of the fastest lap record of  Star in a Reasonably Priced car, performed in one of the old Top Gear episodes.

Meet Sabine Schmitz

Sabine Schmitz is a German professional race driver, racer in the famous Nürburgring taxi. Like LeBlanc, she was also a guest on the old Top Gear show for several times. She set an incredible Green Hell lap time in a Ford Transit van.

Meet Chris Harris

Chris Harris is an automotive journalist. He became a real YouTube star in recent years with his channel Chris Harris on Cars, which currently a little over 335,000 subscribers. The most popular video is called La Ferrari, the full test, with over 2.7 million views.

Meet Eddie Jordan

Eddie Jordan is the founder and owner of a former Formula 1 team Jordan Grand Prix. In his long career in the motor sport, Jordan mentored some of the world’s greatest F1 winners, including Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher.

Meet Rory Reid

Rory Reid is an editor-in-chief of automotive website Recombu. He was selected to the team through public auditions and his 30-second video audition tape helped him to secure the role in the 2016 Top Gear presenters team.

Image credit: Top Gear