Petrolheads rejoice as Top Gear returns - BBC Two, Sunday, 8pm

At last, Sunday nights can return to normal then.
Petrolheads rejoice as Top Gear returnsPetrolheads rejoice as Top Gear returns
Petrolheads rejoice as Top Gear returns

Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc are joined by motorsport guru and Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, world record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, renowned motoring journalist and YouTube petrolhead Chris Harris, and car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid. They have filmed in nine countries over eight months, racking up over 7,500 miles between them.

And as the trailers have shown, high-octane and spectacular stunts are what’s in store: an Ariel Nomad jumping through the Moroccan desert, a Dodge Viper racing in Nevada, USA, oh and Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc in some Reliant Rialtos… in a rainy Blackpool. And the Stig is back in action on the Top Gear track, plus a whole lot more. Join Chris, Matt, the team and of course, the Stig, alongside celebrity guests for the eagerly awaited return of Top Gear.

We managed a quick chat with Chris and Matt.

What can viewers look forward to in the new season?

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Chris: The production team sorted out some brilliant locations, amazing vehicles, and to be honest we wouldn’t be putting one second of it out if we didn’t think it was worth watching - so enjoy every moment. It’s like when The Simpsons or Friends comes on – your favourite shows are over much quicker than your clock says they’re going to be, so hold onto every moment.

Top Gear is obviously about cars, but are we going to see any other modes of transport?

Matt: A motorcycle, a drone and a Paramotor in Morocco, and a water taxi in Venice.

Which of the Top Gear filming locations was the most exciting to drive in?

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Chris: I’m not a big traveller, so going to South Africa was amazing and The Ring of Kerry in Ireland was glorious too, where Matt and I compared old and new Rolls-Royces.

Matt: Morocco and Venice were fun. Blackpool was great – I’ve never been and it was so fun, we had a lot of laughs there. It’s a bit like Atlantic City!

What was the appeal for you to co-host Top Gear?

Matt: For me, it was a great opportunity to be a part of something that I was already a fan of. It was a no-brainer!

Matt, now that you’re in it, are you surprised by how big the beast of Top Gear is, in terms of people watching it and scrutinising it with expectations?

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Matt: Well, it hasn’t premiered yet and in a weird way it feels like it has. It’s such a monstrous entity and it’s bigger than we are. Chris had a great analogy that we’re just babysitting it.

Top Gear has such a giant following, and people are so excited and love it. All Chris and I can do is make the best show we can, so there’s no sense worrying about something that’s out of your control. So I do my best. I hope people like it.

Who is the better driver between you two?

Chris: There is definitely one clearly, annoyingly more superior than the other, and it’s not me.

Top Gear, BBC Two, Sunday, 8pm