Top Gear line-up: Sabine Schmitz, Eddie Jordan, Rory Reid and Chris Harris join Matt LeBLanc and Chris Evans

Wave goodbye to the traditional three presenter format

Top Gear returns to BBC Two this May for more hair-raising fun on the roads (BBC)

Chris Evans has revealed that not one, not two but six motorheads will be joining him on the new Top Gear.

The full line up is F1 commentator Eddie Jordan, world record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, US actor Matt LeBlanc, car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid, YouTube star Chris Harris and of course, the Stig.

Evans revealed the news, which will likely come as a surprise to fans expecting the traditional three presenter line-up, on his BBC Radio 2 show on Thursday morning.

Here’s what the team had to say about their hair-raising appointments:

Chris Evans

“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

“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.”

Chris Harris

“Top Gear is the thing that helped shape my life with cars, my perception of cars and my obsession with cars, and I’m raring to give it a go. I’m also quite gobby and happy to get into trouble, so I’m hoping I can underpin the programme with journalistic credibility but still cause some mischief. And if it all goes wrong, well, I can say I was once on Top Gear, and just head back to being that annoying small bloke off YouTube.”

Sabine Schmitz

“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.”

Rory Reid

“When I submitted my 30-second audition tape, I knew the odds were very firmly against me, as the auditions were open to absolutely everybody. To be the only person to make it through the open audition process makes me immensely proud. I've been a Top Gear fan for decades, but more than that, I live and breathe cars in a way that is perfectly compatible with the show. I'm looking forward to bringing my brand of knowledge, energy and humour to what promises to be a very exciting new series.”

The Stig

“-.-. .... . .— .. . —..— / .— . .——. .-. . / .... —- — . .-.-.- ” (Find out what it means here)

Top Gear returns to BBC Two this May with an exact air date yet to be announced.