Who Should Take the Wheel on the Next Top Gear Reboot?

When Amazon Prime dropped the newest season of The Grand Tour last Friday, it was a stark reminder that the old Top Gear trio is truly gone. The show now rolls with fresh faces, and while some fans are already buzzing about the new chemistry, others are quietly hoping the old format finally fades into history.

In August the BBC quietly confirmed that a Top Gear reboot is back on the table. That announcement sparked a flood of comments on our site, split into two camps: the “let it die” crowd who can’t see how any new lineup could ever live up to Clarkson, Hammond and May, and the hopeful crowd looking for the next great automotive chemistry.

One common refrain was simple: maybe the show should be renamed. As one reader put it, “If the BBC wants an automotive show again, they should call it something other than Top Gear.” A fresh name could give a new crew the chance to be judged on their own merits instead of constantly living in the shadow of a golden era.

Open auditions also floated around the comment section. A music‑teacher‑turned‑car‑fan imagined a casting call where hopefuls try to be “the new Clarkson,” but many agreed that mimicking a legend is a recipe for disappointment. The consensus? Find a new formula instead of recycling the old chemistry.

Among the more colorful suggestions was Doug DeMuro. One commenter joked that his “trust‑fund‑backed” love‑of‑supercars would make for a watchable (or unwatchable) reboot, complete with endless debates over the next $500k Ferrari.

Surprisingly, a few readers turned to the comedy world. Rowan Atkinson, famed for his Blackadder persona and occasional track‑day mishaps, was championed as the perfect blend of humor and driving experience—provided he could pick compatible co‑hosts during a “racing‑party week” audition.

More grounded car‑nerds also got shout‑outs. Chris Harris, Jason Camisa and Marc “Elvis” Priestly were praised for their expertise, wit, and willingness to be self‑deprecating. Another fan suggested pairing Jenson Button with Harris, hoping a former F1 champion could bring some genuine speed cred to the table.

Across the pond, the U.S. version of the show was resurrected in the conversation. Names like Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust and Rutledge Wood resurfaced, with a note that the original American Top Gear suffered more from awkward commercial breaks than from the hosts themselves.

Ben Collins—known for his YouTube channel and his previous stint as the original Top Gear “Stig”—was also mentioned as a possible anchor, with a call to find two co‑hosts he clicks with.

Finally, a handful of fans said, “Just watch The Grand Tour.” They argued that the current Amazon crew already captures the spirit of the original, making a reboot feel redundant.

Bottom line: the BBC has a lot of listening to do. Whether they rename the show, go with a celebrity like Atkinson, or stick to pure car‑nerd talent, the next iteration will need chemistry, expertise and a dash of unpredictability to survive the inevitable comparisons.