Hubbry Logo
Richard HammondRichard HammondMain
Open search
Richard Hammond
Community hub
Richard Hammond
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 December 1969) is an English broadcaster, journalist, and author. He co-hosted the BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and James May. From 2016 to 2024, the trio presented Amazon Prime Video's The Grand Tour.

Key Information

Hammond has also presented entertainment documentary series Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2006), the game show Total Wipeout (2009–2012) and nature documentary series Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, along with Clarkson and May, Hammond launched the automotive social media website DriveTribe, which has a motoring channel on YouTube, where he currently hosts the videos with former Stig Ben Collins and his daughter Izzy Hammond.

Early life

[edit]

Richard Mark Hammond[2] was born on 19 December 1969,[3][2] in Solihull, Warwickshire,[4] eldest of three sons[citation needed] of Alan and Eileen Hammond.[2] His younger brothers are Andrew (writer of the 'Crypt' series) and Nicholas.[citation needed] He is the grandson of workers in the Birmingham car industry.[5][6] In the mid-1980s Hammond moved with his family[7] to the North Yorkshire cathedral city of Ripon located 8 miles south of the village of Thornton Watlass where his father ran a probate business in the market square. He attended Blossomfield Infant School in Solihull's Sharmans Cross district from the age of 3–7. Originally a pupil of Solihull School, a fee-paying boys' independent school, he moved to Ripon Grammar School, and from 1986 to 1988 attended Harrogate College of Art and Technology.

He has shared that he was expelled from sixth form college when he was 17.[8][9]

Career

[edit]

After graduation, Hammond worked for several BBC radio stations, including Radio Cleveland, Radio York, Radio Cumbria, Radio Leeds and Radio Newcastle;[10] as well as working for Renault's press office as a means to meet people from the motoring press.[11]

In the period when he was presenting the afternoon programme at Radio Lancashire, his regular guests included motoring journalist Zog Ziegler, who would review a car of the week during a phone interview conducted by Hammond. The two became good friends, and it was Ziegler who encouraged Hammond to enter into motoring reviews on television. After starting out on satellite TV (Men & Motors), he auditioned for Top Gear.[10]

Top Gear

[edit]
Main article: Top Gear (2002 TV series)
Hammond in 2006

Hammond became a presenter on Top Gear in 2002, when the show began in its revamped format presenting alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Jason Dawe. In a July 2015 interview with The Guardian, producer Andy Wilman, who worked with Hammond on Top Gear and subsequently The Grand Tour stated Hammond was close to being fired by the BBC after the first series of the 2002 revival format of Top Gear but was ultimately reprieved.[12] Hammond has sometimes been nicknamed "The Hamster" by fans and his co-presenters due to his name and relatively small stature compared to May and Clarkson.[13]

Following a high-speed dragster crash while filming in September 2006 near York, Hammond returned in the first episode of series 9 (broadcast on 28 January 2007) to a hero's welcome, complete with dancing girls, aeroplane-style stairs and fireworks. The show also contained images of the crash, which had made international headlines, with Hammond talking through the events of the day after which the audience broke into spontaneous applause. Hammond then requested that the crash never be mentioned on the show again, though all three Top Gear presenters have since referred to it in jokes during the news segment of the programme. He told his colleagues, "The only difference between me now and before the crash is that I like celery now and I didn't before".[14]

Following the BBC's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract with the show on 25 March 2015,[15] Hammond's contract expired on 31 March.[16] In April, he ruled out the possibility of continuing to present Top Gear, commenting via Twitter that "amidst all this talk of us 'quitting' or not: there's nothing for me to 'quit'. Not about to quit my mates anyway".[17] On 12 June 2015, the BBC confirmed that Top Gear would return with a 75-minute special, combining two unseen challenges featuring all three presenters from series 22, with studio links from Hammond and May. It aired in the UK on BBC Two on 28 June at 8 p.m, and in the United States on BBC America on 13 July at 9 p.m.

Vampire dragster crash

[edit]
Hammond (centre) with James May (left) and Jeremy Clarkson (right) at Top Gear Live Italia in 2014

During filming of a Top Gear segment at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York on 20 September 2006, Hammond was injured in the crash of the jet-powered car he was piloting.[18][19][20]: 1  He was travelling at 288 mph (463 km/h) at the time of the crash.[21]

His vehicle, a dragster called Vampire, was theoretically capable of travelling at speeds of up to 370 mph (595 km/h).[19] The vehicle was the same car that in 2000, piloted by Colin Fallows, set the British land speed record at 300.3 mph (483.3 km/h).[20]: 3 [22] The Vampire was powered by a single Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus afterburning turbojet engine producing 5,000 lbf (22 kN) of thrust.[23]

Some accounts suggested that the accident occurred during an attempt to break the British land speed record,[18][24] but the Health and Safety Executive report on the crash found that a proposal to try to officially break the record was vetoed in advance by Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, due to the risks and complexities of such a venture.[20]: 4  The report stated: "Runs were to be carried out in only one direction along a pre-set course on the Elvington runway. Vampire's speed was to be recorded using GPS satellite telemetry. The intention was to record the maximum speed, not to measure an average speed over a measured course, and for (Hammond) to describe how it felt."[20]: 1 

Hammond was completing a seventh and final run to collect extra footage for the programme when his front-right tyre failed,[20]: 8 [25] and, according to witness and paramedic Dave Ogden, "one of the parachutes had deployed but it (the car) went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us."[26] The emergency crew quickly arrived at the car, finding it inverted and partially embedded in the grass.[24] During the roll, Hammond's helmet had embedded itself into the ground, flipping the visor up and forcing soil into his mouth and damaging his left eye. Rescuers felt a pulse and heard the unconscious Hammond breathing before the car was turned upright.[24] Hammond was cut free with hydraulic shears, and placed on a backboard.[20]: 9  "He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain".[24] He was then transported by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to the neurological unit of the Leeds General Infirmary.[18][20]: 9 [27] Hammond's family visited him at the hospital along with Top Gear co-presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson.[26][27] Clarkson wished Hammond well, saying "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'Hamster' back", referring to Hammond by his nickname.[18][26] For five weeks while Hammond was recovering in hospital, Clarkson sent a funny message to Mindy, Hammond's wife, every day to try to keep her going. Hammond thought if everyone found out, Clarkson would "die of shame" "cos it makes him look soppy".[28]

The Health & Safety Executive report stated that "Hammond's instantaneous reaction to the tyre blow-out seems to have been that of a competent high performance car driver, namely to brake the car and to try to steer into the skid. Immediately afterwards he also seems to have followed his training and to have pulled back on the main parachute release lever, thus shutting down the jet engine and also closing the jet and afterburner fuel levers. The main parachute did not have time to deploy before the car ran off the runway."[20]: 13  The HSE notes that, based on the findings of the North Yorkshire Police (who investigated the crash), "the accident may not have been recoverable", even if Hammond's efforts to react were as fast as "humanly possible".[20]: 13 

Hammond made his first TV appearance since the crash on the BBC chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 22 December, just three months after the incident, where he revealed he was in a medically induced coma for two weeks and afterwards suffered from post-traumatic amnesia and a five-second memory.[29][30] Despite saying he was "absolutely fixed" on the Jonathan Ross episode, in 2011, while talking to the Daily Mirror, Hammond admitted he had no memory of the interview, saying: "I lost a year. I don't remember doing the interview with Jonathan Ross or doing Top Gear Live in South Africa" showing the full impact of his brain injury five years before.[31][better source needed]

The crash was shown on an episode of Top Gear on 28 January 2007 (Series 9, Episode 1); this was the first episode of the new series, which had been postponed pending Hammond's recovery. Hammond requested at the end of the episode that his fellow presenters never mention the crash again, a request which has been generally observed, although occasional oblique references have been made by all three presenters. On The Edge: My Story, which contains first-hand accounts from both Hammond and his wife about the crash, immediate aftermath, and his recovery, was published later that year.

In February 2008, Hammond gave an interview to The Sunday Times newspaper in which he described the effects of his brain injuries and the progression of his recovery.[32] He reported suffering loss of memory, depression and difficulties with emotional experiences, for which he was consulting a psychiatrist.[32][33] He also talked about his recovery in a 2010 television programme where he interviewed Sir Stirling Moss and they discussed the brain injuries they had both received as a result of car crashes.[34]

Brainiac: Science Abuse

[edit]
Main article: Brainiac: Science Abuse

In 2003, Hammond became the first presenter of Brainiac: Science Abuse; he was joined by Jon Tickle and Charlotte Hudson in series 2.[35] After the fourth series it was announced that Hammond was no longer going to present the Sky1 show after he signed an exclusive deal with the BBC. Vic Reeves took his place as main presenter for the show's final two series.[36]

Other television work

[edit]

Early in his career, as well as his radio work, Hammond presented a number of daytime lifestyle shows and motoring programmes such as Motor Week on Men & Motors.

He presented the Crufts dog show in 2005, the 2004 and 2005 British Parking Awards, and has appeared on School's Out, a quiz show on BBC One where celebrities answer questions about things they learned at school. He has also presented The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding the Legend.[37] Along with his work on Top Gear, he presented Should I Worry About...? on BBC One, Time Commanders on BBC Two and the first four series of Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1. He was also a team captain on the BBC Two quiz show, Petrolheads, in which a memorable part was one where Hammond was tricked into bumping his classic Ferrari while trying to parallel park blindfolded in another car.

In 2006, Hammond fronted the Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show with his co-presenter Mel Giedroyc. The programme, which discussed a wide range of topics, was shown every weekday on ITV between 17:00 and 18:00.[citation needed]

In July 2005, Hammond was voted one of the top 10 British TV talents.[38]

He presented Richard Hammond and the Holy Grail in 2006. During the special, he travelled to various locations around the world, including the Vatican Secret Archives, exploring the history of the Holy Grail.[39]

As part of Red Nose Day 2007, Hammond stood for nomination via a public telephone vote, along with Andy Hamilton and Kelvin MacKenzie, to be a one-off co-presenter of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on 16 March 2007.[40] However, he was defeated by Andy Hamilton.

In April 2007, Hammond presented a one-off special on BBC Radio 2 for Good Friday followed by another in August 2007 for the bank holiday.[41]

Hammond driving a diesel BMW 3 Series in the 2007 Britcar 24 Hours, as part of an episode of Top Gear

Hammond recorded an interview with the famed American stuntman Evel Knievel, which aired on 23 December 2007 on BBC Two, and was Knievel's last interview before his death on 30 November 2007.[42]

In September 2008, Hammond presented the first episode of a new series; Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections on the National Geographic Channel.[43] In this show, Hammond discovered how the inventions of the past, along with assistance from nature, help designers today. Episodes include the building of the Airbus A380, Taipei 101 and the Keck Observatory.[43] Series 2 of Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections began in May 2010 and has included the building of the Wembley Stadium and the Sydney Opera House.

Hammond appeared in an advertisement for Morrisons supermarkets in 2008,[44] and joined the cast of TV show Ashes To Ashes for a special insert on the 2008 Children in Need special.

While in New Zealand for Top Gear Live 2009, Hammond filmed several television commercials for Telecom New Zealand's new XT UTMS mobile network. Telecom claimed that the new network was "faster in more places", compared to its competitors and its existing CDMA network. After the network suffered three highly publicised outages in late 2009 and early 2010, Hammond became the butt of a joke when he did not return to New Zealand for Top Gear Live 2010. His fellow Top Gear co-hosts said he was too embarrassed to come back to New Zealand, and in a supposed live feed back to Hammond, the feed suddenly drops out as the "XT Network had crashed".[45] Hammond was later given the right of reply to his colleagues during an interview with Marcus Lush on RadioLIVE's breakfast show in New Zealand.[46]

Hammond hosted the UK version of the US series Wipeout, called Total Wipeout for BBC One. It took place in Argentina, and was co-presented by Hammond and Amanda Byram. Hammond presented and performed the voiceover for the clips in a London studio, and Byram was filmed at the obstacle course in Buenos Aires.[47] The series was cancelled at the end of 2012.[48]

Hammond also presented a science-themed game show for children, Richard Hammond's Blast Lab which aired on BBC Two and CBBC.[49]

In March 2010, Hammond presented a three-episode series called Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds, which looked at things too fast for the naked eye to see, things that are beyond the visible spectrum (e.g., ultraviolet and infra-red light), as well as microscopic things.

One of Hammond's lesser known television roles was as presenter of the BBC Two gameshow Time Commanders, a sophisticated warfare simulator which used a modified version of Creative Assembly's Rome: Total War game engine.[50]

Since February 2011, Hammond has presented an online technology series Richard Hammond's Tech Head.[51] In July 2011, Hammond presented a two-part natural science documentary Richard Hammond's Journey to the Centre of the Planet, focused on Earth geology and plate tectonics.[52][53]

In April 2012, Hammond hosted a BBC America programme titled Richard Hammond's Crash Course,[54] which was also shown in the UK from September 2012[55] on BBC Two. In May 2012, Hammond co-presented an animal documentary for BBC One called Planet Earth Live alongside Julia Bradbury. The programme recorded animals living in extreme conditions.[56]

In June 2014, Hammond presented a scientific fourteen part series on National Geographic Channel titled Science of Stupid which focused on the application of physics in everyday life.[57] In December, Hammond presented a three-part science documentary for BBC One called Wild Weather with Richard Hammond which focuses on the hidden world of our Earth's extreme weather system.[58]

In September 2015, Hammond presented a two-part documentary for Sky 1 called Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest, supported by Sky Rainforest Rescue.[59]

Hammond in 2016, during filming for The Grand Tour

In March 2017, whilst filming for The Grand Tour episode Feed the world in Mozambique, Hammond frequently fell off his motorbike due to the poor roads.[60] On one occasion he reportedly hit his head and was knocked unconscious.[61][62]

During the season finale of The Grand Tour season three, Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson announced the current format was coming to the end and later announced that there would be two more seasons of specials, without the tent or live audience.[citation needed]

In January 2021, Hammond starred alongside MythBusters' Tory Belleci in The Great Escapists, a fictional six-episode adventure series for Amazon, which was produced by Chimp Productions. The series stranded the pair on a deserted island where they used the resources they could find to build the means to survive.[63]

Rimac Concept One crash

[edit]

On 10 June 2017, Hammond crashed a Rimac Concept One while filming for The Grand Tour in Hemberg, Switzerland. He was on his last run up a timed hillclimb course during the Bergrennen Hemberg event. Just after crossing the finish line, the car ran off the road, tumbled down the hill and eventually came to rest upside down 110 metres (360 ft) from the road.[64][65]

Hammond remained conscious throughout and he later described the feeling of "oh god, I'm going to die", as well as being "aware of tumbling – sky, ground, sky, ground, sky, ground, sky, ground." He was airlifted to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a tibial plateau fracture in his left knee, and a plate and ten screws were surgically inserted.[66]

Jeremy Clarkson and James May, fellow presenters on The Grand Tour, both witnessed the scene from afar; believing Hammond was dead, May recalled feeling a "blossoming, white-hot ball of pure, sickening horror forming in my heart",[68] and Clarkson described his "knees turning to jelly" at the sight of the crash.[69]

After the ordeal, the FIA allegedly ruled that the "show runs" that Hammond and company were doing at the time of the accident violated the governing body's International Sporting Code and that the crash "acted against the interests of the sport." As a result, the Bergrennen Hemberg organizers were fined $5,138, and six-month license suspensions were imposed on race director Christian Müller and stewards Hermann Müller, Karl Marty, and Daniel Lenglet. In August of that year, Motorsport.com reported that the future of the entire event was "now in jeopardy."[70] Despite the reports, the Bergrennen Hemberg continues to be run annually.[71]

Richard Hammond's Workshop

[edit]
Hammond in Toronto at 2024 Canadian International AutoShow

Hammond announced on Twitter on 21 June 2021 that he would be making a show with Discovery+ about the restoration of old cars.[72] Its first episode has been shown on 18 October 2021 with a total of 26 episodes in three seasons.[citation needed]

Beverage production

[edit]

On 27 June 2025, Richard Hammond released his English whisky and English Gin collection which was produced in collaboration with Hawkridge distillery and includes Iron Ridge single malt whisky and Hammond's Ratio London Dry Gin.[73] Hammond's branch into alcoholic beverages follows his colleagues James May who released James Gin and Jeremy Clarkson who owns the Hawkstone collection consisting of lager, cider, stout and vodka.[74]

Personal life

[edit]

Hammond married Amanda "Mindy" Hammond (née Etheridge[2]),[75] a columnist for the Daily Express,[76] in May 2002, after they first met while working at a PR firm in London. They have two daughters born in 2001 and 2004.[5] In January 2025, Hammond announced that he and his wife were separating after 28 years together.[77][78]

On 9 February 2025, Hammond announced on his podcast that his father had died.[79][80][81]

It was a friend who first gave Hammond his nickname Hamster. The nickname stuck, especially on Top Gear due to his name and relatively small stature compared to May and Clarkson.[13]

He and his family adopted TG, the official Top Gear dog, after it became apparent that the labradoodle was afraid of cars. TG died at age 11 in January 2017.[82]

Hammond plays bass guitar, on which he accompanied the other Top Gear presenters when they performed alongside Justin Hawkins on Top Gear of the Pops for Comic Relief in 2007.[83]

He likes to ride his bicycle, scooter, or motorbike in cities, for which he is mocked mercilessly by fellow presenter Jeremy Clarkson.[84]

In 2010, Hammond was the president of the 31st Herefordshire Country Fair held at Hampton Court in Hope under Dinmore. His involvement caused unprecedented attendance with "nearly 15,000 people" drawn to the event to meet the presenter.[85]

In March 2012, Hammond passed his B206 LST helicopter licence and has since owned a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.[86]

Residences

[edit]
Bollitree Castle in Weston under Penyard

The Hammond family live in a mock castle in Herefordshire, and they also have an apartment in London.[84] In an interview with The Sunday Times in February 2008, it was reported that Hammond had moved briefly from Gloucestershire to Buckinghamshire, then back again, because he missed the country life.[87]

In October 2012, it was reported he had spent over £2 million buying Bollitree Castle which is situated near Weston under Penyard, Ross-on-Wye.

Vehicle ownership

[edit]

Cars

[edit]

Hammond owns or has owned many different cars. These include:

Cars previously owned by Hammond:

Motorcycles

[edit]

Hammond is a keen motorcyclist, having ridden for over 30 years.[137] He owns or has owned many different motorcycles including:

Motorcycles no longer owned by Hammond:

Other vehicles

[edit]

Furthermore, Hammond owns or has owned the following vehicles:

Sale of vehicles

[edit]

Hammond has stated that he has sold off many of his vehicles to assist in the funding of his workshop, The Smallest Cog.

Hammond often stored his vehicles at his mock-castle home as well as a unit in Herefordshire. The use of one of these units is being used for The Smallest Cog as a 'reception area' for cars awaiting restoration.

Charity work

[edit]

Hammond is an ambassador of UK charity for children with brain injury and neuro-disability The Children's Trust.[155]

On 29 September 2013, terminally-ill eight-year-old Emilia Palmer was driven by Hammond in a pink Lamborghini Aventador Roadster (newly repainted for the occasion). Hammond flew his Robinson R44 helicopter, G-OHAM, to Shobdon Airfield in Herefordshire, then picked Palmer up from her home in Kimbolton, Herefordshire and drove her back to the airport for a high-speed run on the main runway. The event was arranged at short notice by Rays of Sunshine.[156][157][158]

Controversies

[edit]

During the second episode of series sixteen of Top Gear, Hammond suggested that no one would ever want to own a Mexican car, since cars are supposed to reflect national characteristics and so a Mexican car would be "lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence, asleep, looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat."[159] Hammond finished with the remark "I'm sorry, but can you imagine waking up and remembering you're Mexican?!"[160] The comments prompted Mexico's ambassador in London, Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza, to lodge an official complaint to the BBC. Demanding an apology from the BBC, the ambassador stated: "These offensive, xenophobic and humiliating remarks only serve to reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate prejudice against Mexico and its people."[161] The BBC defended the broadcast of this segment on the grounds that such national stereotyping was a "robust part" of traditional British humour.[162]

In December 2016, in reference to the interior styling of a Volvo S90, co-presenter Clarkson joked that "the only problem is that in one of those, you couldn't enjoy a chocolate Magnum ice cream" – to which Hammond responded: "It's all right, I don't eat ice cream. It's something to do with being straight."[163] It has been speculated that the joke was written as a reference to a Kingis ice cream advert in Finland, where that episode of The Grand Tour was filmed.[164] LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who was unaware of the reference, accused Hammond of "pandering to prejudice", adding that "it's a perverse world when everyday pleasures like ice cream becomes the butt of homophobic innuendo."[165] A spokesperson for UK LGBT rights charity Stonewall stated that "Hammond's choice of words were not just ridiculous, but chosen purposefully to mock and belittle."[166] A year later, in an interview with The Times, Hammond stated: "Look, anyone who knows me knows I wasn't being serious, that I'm not homophobic. Love is love, whatever the sex of the two people in love... It may be because I live in a hideously safe and contained middle-class world, where a person's sexuality is not an issue".[167] In an interview with Newsweek Today, Hammond denied making homophobic comments, and refused to apologise for the remarks: "I entirely reject any criticism of me being anti-gay. That's just not the case."[168]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role
1998–2002 Motor Week and Car File (Men & Motors TV series) Presenter
2002–2015, 2021 Top Gear
2003 Top Gear: Back in the Fast Lane
Ready Steady Cook Contestant
2003–2006 Brainiac: Science Abuse Presenter, co-producer
2004–2005 Crufts Presenter
Should I Worry About...?
2005 The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding the Legend
Time Commanders
Inside Britain's Fattest Man
2006 Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show
Petrolheads Contestant
School's Out
Richard Hammond: Would You Believe It? Presenter
Richard Hammond and the Holy Grail
Battle of the Geeks
2007 Last Man Standing Narrator
Helicopter Heroes
Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel Presenter
2008 BBC Timewatch Narrator
2008, 2010 Sport Relief Presenter
2008–2012 Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections
2009 Top Gear: Uncovered Presenter, co-producer
2009–2011 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab
2009–2012 Total Wipeout Presenter
2010 Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds
Hammond Meets Moss
Top Gear: Apocalypse
2011 Richard Hammond's Journey to the Centre of the Planet
Richard Hammond's Journey to the Bottom of the Ocean
Top Gear: At the Movies
Richard Hammond's Tech Head
2012 Richard Hammond's Crash Course
Planet Earth Live
Richard Hammond's Miracles of Nature
Top Gear: 50 Years of Bond Cars
2013 Richard Hammond's Secret Service
Hammond meets Moss
Take Two with Phineas and Ferb Guest
Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip Presenter, writer
How to Build a Planet Presenter
2014 Phineas and Ferb Nigel (voice)
Wild Weather With Richard Hammond Presenter
Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip 2
2014–2015 Science of Stupid
2015 Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest
Would I Lie to You? Himself (guest)
2016–2024 The Grand Tour Presenter
2020 Richard Hammond's Big
2021 The Great Escapists Himself (fictionalized version)
2021–present Richard Hammond's Workshop Presenter[169]
2022 Richard Hammond's Brain Reaction
Richard Hammond's Crazy Contraptions
Britain's Beautiful Rivers with Richard Hammond
2025 The Not Very Grand Tour
Clarkson's Farm Himself (uncredited guest)

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role
2013 Forza Motorsport 5 Himself
2019 The Grand Tour Game

Television advertisements

[edit]
Year Title Role
2008–2009 Morrisons Himself
2017 LeasePlan

Awards and honours

[edit]
Year Accolade Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2004 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [citation needed]
2005 Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Won [citation needed]
New TV Talent Won [citation needed]
International Emmy Awards Non-Scripted Entertainment (shared) Top Gear Won [170]
National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [citation needed]
2006 Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Won [citation needed]
National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
Heat Weird Crush Awards Heat's Weird Crush Won [171]
2007 Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Won [citation needed]
Royal Television Society Television Awards Best Presenter (shared with Jeremy Clarkson and James May) Top Gear Nominated [citation needed]
National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
2008 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
Television and Radio Industries Club Awards TV Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
TV Quick Awards Best Lifestyle Show (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
2009 British Academy Children's Awards Best Presenter Richard Hammond's Blast Lab Won [citation needed]
Television and Radio Industries Club Awards TV Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
TV Quick Awards Best Lifestyle Show (shared) Top Gear Won [172]
TV Quick Awards Best Gameshow (shared) Total Wipeout Nominated [citation needed]
TV Choice Awards Best Lifestyle Show (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
2010 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [citation needed]
2011 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
Television and Radio Industries Club Awards TV Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Won [173]
TV Choice Awards Best Factual Entertainment Show (shared) Top Gear Won [174]
2012 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [citation needed]
TV Quick Awards Best Factual Entertainment (shared) Top Gear Won [citation needed]
TV Choice Awards Best Factual Entertainment Show (shared) Top Gear Won [175]
Guinness World Records Certificate Most widely viewed factual TV programme (shared) Top Gear Won [176]
Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards Best Popular Science & Natural History Program (shared) Richard Hammond's Journey to the Centre of the Planet Won [citation needed]
2013 National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [177]
National Television Awards Most Popular Documentary Series (shared) Planet Earth Live Nominated [178]
Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Awards Best Hosted & Presenter-led Program (shared) Richard Hammond's Miracles of Nature: Super-bodies Won [179]
2014 Emmy Award Outstanding Science and Technology Programming (shared) Richard Hammond's How to Build a Planet Nominated [citation needed]
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Reality Series (shared) Top Gear Nominated [180]
2015 ASTRA Awards Most Outstanding General Entertainment Program (shared) Top Gear Won [181]
National Television Awards Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme (shared) Top Gear Nominated [182]
TV Choice Awards Best Entertainment Show (shared) Top Gear Nominated [183]
2017 Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Original OTT Streamed (shared) The Grand Tour Nominated [184]
GQ Men of the Year Awards TV Personalities of the Year (shared) The Grand Tour Won [185]

Bibliography

[edit]

Racing career

[edit]

2CV 24 Hour Race results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Car No. Laps Pos. Ref
2003 United Kingdom BBC Top Gear United Kingdom "The Stig"
United Kingdom Simon Butler
United Kingdom Fasta Rasta 		Citroën 2CV 24 14th [186]

Britcar 24 Hour results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Car No. Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos. 		Ref
2007 United Kingdom Team Top Gear United Kingdom Jeremy Clarkson
United Kingdom "The Stig"
United Kingdom James May 		BMW 330d 78 4 396 39th 3rd [187]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Richard Hammond

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 December 1969) is a British television presenter, journalist, and author specializing in motoring content. Hammond began his broadcasting career in local radio at BBC Radio York in 1989, following studies in photography and television production, before transitioning to television presenting with channels such as Men & Motors in 1998. He gained international prominence as one of the co-hosts of the BBC's revived Top Gear starting in 2002, alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May, where the trio's irreverent reviews, challenges, and road trips revitalized the programme into a global phenomenon, attracting tens of millions of viewers weekly at its peak. After Top Gear's suspension in 2015 due to Clarkson's off-camera altercation with a producer, Hammond joined Clarkson and May for The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video from 2016 to 2024, continuing their format of vehicular adventures and commentary across multiple seasons. Hammond's career has been marked by serious accidents, including a 2006 crash in a jet-powered Vampire dragster reaching 319 mph, which resulted in a two-week coma and frontal lobe brain injury from which he recovered after intensive rehabilitation, and a 2017 high-speed collision in a Rimac Concept One electric hypercar during The Grand Tour filming in Switzerland, causing vertebral fractures. These incidents underscore his hands-on approach to automotive testing, though they also highlight risks inherent to high-performance vehicle demonstrations, with Hammond authoring On the Edge: My Story detailing his 2006 ordeal and recovery.

Early Life and Background

Childhood in Solihull

Richard Mark Hammond was born on 19 December 1969 in , , , the eldest of three sons to parents Alan and Eileen Hammond. His family resided in the Shirley area of , where his parents operated a local pack, involving Hammond in early group activities alongside his younger brothers and . Hammond's early years in centered on hands-on engagement with machinery, beginning with bicycles and progressing to motorbikes amid modest family circumstances that encouraged resourcefulness. He recalled constructing his own bikes from scavenged parts, often collaborating with his father on repairs and modifications in the family garage, which instilled practical problem-solving skills without access to extensive tools or funds. This tinkering, influenced by his grandfather's ties to Birmingham's automobile industry, fostered a foundational interest in through trial-and-error experimentation rather than formal instruction. The family's Solihull period ended in the mid-1980s when Hammond was a teenager, prompting a relocation to , , where his father established a business; this shift marked the transition from urban-suburban life to rural settings, initially exposing him to varied motoring experiences beyond city constraints. During his Solihull childhood, Hammond attended Blossomfield from ages 3 to 7, followed by the fee-paying , where disciplinary issues like detentions contrasted with his home-based pursuits.

Family Influences and Early Interests

Richard Hammond's interest in mechanics and vehicles was shaped by familial exposure to automotive trades and hands-on encouragement from his father. His maternal grandfather worked as a , while his paternal grandfather, who served in during , was noted for his mechanical aptitude and enthusiasm for cars. These figures provided indirect influences through family lore, fostering an early appreciation for principles evident in Hammond's later career. His father, Alan Hammond, a legal executive who later ran a business, actively supported these pursuits by assisting with practical projects, emphasizing guidance without over-intervention. From age 11 to around 15, Hammond engaged in self-directed experiments constructing bicycles from scavenged parts, often with his father's help in assembling components. One notable attempt involved modifying a smaller racer frame into a Chopper-style bike with an undersized front wheel, which failed catastrophically during initial braking, resulting in Hammond somersaulting over the handlebars—an incident underscoring trial-and-error learning unmitigated by modern safety protocols. He and his two younger brothers, spaced two years apart, formed a close-knit group that amplified these activities, constructing ramps over toy cars for jumps that frequently led to falls, instilling resilience through repeated physical setbacks. This environment balanced enthusiasm for speed and machinery with paternal oversight that allowed autonomy, as Alan permitted Hammond to direct builds while providing tools and advice. On his 16th birthday, his parents reinforced this trajectory by gifting him a 49cc motorbike, marking a transition from bicycles to powered vehicles without evident restraint on inherent risks. Such anecdotes, drawn from Hammond's own recollections, highlight an innate mechanical curiosity nurtured by family dynamics rather than formal instruction, aligning with Solihull's automotive heritage but rooted in personal tinkering.

Education and Entry into Journalism

Formal Education

Hammond began his schooling at Blossomfield in , West Midlands. Following his family's move to , , he transferred from the independent to , a state-funded selective . There, he displayed modest academic achievement, with an early interest in science that he later described as unfeasible to pursue deeply within the school's structure, prompting him to relinquish dreams of a scientific career. He was eventually expelled for disruptive conduct, reflecting challenges in adapting to the institution's disciplinary environment. Subsequently, Hammond attended College of Art and Technology from 1987 to 1989. He completed studies leading to a qualification in and television production, equipping him with practical media skills that foreshadowed his entry into and . This vocational focus marked a shift from the more theoretical emphasis of education toward applied training in visual and communicative disciplines, underscoring his pragmatic orientation amid formal systems often prioritizing abstract over hands-on competencies.

Initial Professional Roles

Hammond commenced his professional broadcasting career in local radio during the late , beginning as a programme assistant at BBC Radio York in 1989. In this entry-level role, he quickly advanced to reporting duties, contributing to the mid-morning show around 1990 under presenter Dan Chisholm, where he developed foundational skills in live commentary, scripting, and real-time audience interaction amid the demands of regional broadcasting. Expanding from Yorkshire, Hammond freelanced across multiple BBC local stations, including Radio Cleveland, Radio Cumbria, Radio Leeds, and Radio Newcastle, throughout the early 1990s. These positions involved on-air presenting and producing content under tight deadlines and limited resources, fostering resilience in a highly competitive media landscape where entry relied on demonstrated aptitude rather than connections; Hammond has noted the financial precarity, stating he "couldn't earn a living" from such work, yet persisted to build expertise in engaging listeners with motoring-related segments and general news. This groundwork in radio facilitated his shift toward television, securing an early break on a cable TV motoring programme that allowed him to refine presenting techniques in a low-stakes environment before pursuing broader opportunities. The progression underscored a merit-driven trajectory, with Hammond leveraging persistent self-promotion and skill accumulation to navigate industry barriers without institutional favoritism.

Television and Media Career

Rise with Top Gear (2002–2015)

Richard Hammond joined the revived Top Gear as a co-presenter in 2002, partnering with Jeremy Clarkson to relaunch the BBC Two motoring programme in a format emphasizing entertainment alongside automotive reviews. James May completed the presenting trio in 2003, establishing a dynamic where Hammond's self-reported height of 5 ft 7 in contributed to his persona as the enthusiast for compact, high-performance vehicles capable of outsized speed relative to their size. This role highlighted his interest in engineering extremes, often involving hands-on tests of acceleration, aerodynamics, and mechanical limits under real-world conditions rather than simulated scenarios. The show's format under Hammond's involvement featured international road trips and challenges that prioritized empirical vehicle performance data, such as in extreme terrains or physics, drawing audiences through unscripted mishaps and candid analysis over polished narratives. Episodes frequently showcased Hammond piloting sports cars or prototypes, underscoring causal factors like power-to-weight ratios in achieving velocity, which resonated by demystifying for non-experts. This approach contrasted with prior motoring shows, fostering a style rooted in observable outcomes from physical laws rather than abstracted ideals. Top Gear's resurgence correlated with substantial viewership gains, with peak episodes exceeding 7.9 million viewers by 2007 and maintaining averages above 5 million through 2015, elevating Two's profile amid competition from commercial channels. The programme's global syndication exported British automotive humor and skepticism toward overregulation, amassing international audiences and spawning licensed versions in multiple countries, thereby broadening car culture beyond perceived elitist confines via relatable, evidence-based critiques. This influence stemmed from the trio's chemistry, where Hammond's segments often balanced technical detail with accessible wit, countering dismissals of the as niche by achieving widespread commercial success.

The Vampire Dragster Crash and Aftermath (2006)

During a Top Gear filming segment at the former RAF Elvington airfield near on 20 September 2006, Richard Hammond attempted to pilot the , a jet-powered dragster inspired by the Thrust SSC supersonic car, to exceed 300 mph (482 km/h) and challenge records for engines under 10 liters displacement. The vehicle, equipped with a engine producing over 10,000 horsepower, accelerated rapidly but suffered a front-right failure at approximately 288 mph (463 km/h), causing sudden loss of control, multiple cartwheels, and a high-impact crash accompanied by fire. A subsequent BBC investigation attributed the tire burst to likely penetration by a small object, such as a nail or debris on the runway, rather than inherent material fatigue or pilot error, though Hammond expressed frustration at suggestions of operator fault in media reports. Engineering analysis of the Vampire highlighted its design priorities for straight-line thrust over lateral stability, with minimal aerodynamic downforce akin to traditional dragsters, rendering it vulnerable to instability post-failure at extreme speeds where dynamic forces exceed tire grip limits—contrasting safer margined vehicles like the Thrust SSC, which incorporated supersonic-rated wheels and canards for control. This underscores causal risks in experimental high-speed prototypes: while raw power enables record attempts, absent redundant stability features, a single component failure propagates catastrophically, though the pursuit yielded data advancing dragster safety protocols without evidence of reckless oversight. Hammond sustained a severe , including damage from an requiring surgical drainage, and was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary before transfer to ; he remained in critical condition but responsive within days, contrary to initial reports. Post-discharge, he experienced depression linked to emotional regulation disruptions from the injury, yet underwent rehabilitation emphasizing physical and , returning to Top Gear filming by early January 2007—roughly four months later—after medical clearance confirmed sufficient recovery for high-risk activities. While Hammond later attributed challenges to the frontal damage, empirical career continuity and absence of documented cognitive impairments in professional assessments demonstrate effective mitigation of acute effects, countering narratives of permanent debilitation.

Expansion to Science and Other Formats

Parallel to his motoring work on Top Gear, Hammond ventured into science television with Brainiac: Science Abuse, a series that premiered on 13 2003 and ran until 2008, blending experiments, myth-busting, and educational segments in an format. Hammond served as the primary presenter for the first four series, conducting demonstrations such as testing alkali metals' reactivity with and racing against high explosives to illustrate speeds, often emphasizing practical physics and chemistry principles through high-risk setups. The program, produced by , garnered a for its irreverent style but drew criticism for prioritizing spectacle over rigorous methodology, with some experiments prioritizing visual impact over controlled scientific validation. This foray marked Hammond's broadening beyond automotive content, leveraging his on-camera charisma to demystify scientific concepts via accessible, hands-on formats. Subsequent projects reinforced this expansion, including Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections (2008–2011), a and documentary series examining engineering innovations in structures like the Formula 1 car and space shuttles, where Hammond traced shared technological principles across disparate feats, such as composite materials' role in both aircraft and racing vehicles. In , he hosted Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds, a three-part series using advanced to visualize phenomena like radiation and , highlighting human perceptual limits and technological aids to observation. Hammond further diversified into nature-inspired science with Richard Hammond's Miracles of Nature (2012), a BBC production exploring biomimicry, such as how gecko informs or influences design, drawing causal links between evolutionary adaptations and human solutions. Other formats included the children's educational game show Richard Hammond's Blast Lab (2009–2011) on and , which incorporated experiments into competitive challenges, and Richard Hammond's Big (2019–2020) on , profiling colossal machines and the physics of scale, from supertankers to particle accelerators. These endeavors demonstrated Hammond's pivot toward explanatory content, often rooted in empirical testing and real-world applications, though reliant on producer-scripted narratives rather than peer-reviewed .

Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2008)

Richard Hammond presented the first four series of Brainiac: Science Abuse, a programme that debuted on 13 November 2003 and emphasised hands-on experiments to test scientific claims and myths. The format involved Hammond introducing segments where contributors, known as "Brainiacs" and including regular , executed practical demonstrations rooted in verifiable physics and chemistry, such as assessing the viability of running across a pool of to explore behaviour or igniting to demonstrate extreme temperatures exceeding 2,500°C. These tests relied on direct observation and , prioritising causal mechanisms—like buildup in sealed containers or structural under load—over unsubstantiated assertions, with each episode typically concluding in the explosive demolition of a caravan to illustrate pyrotechnic principles. The series, spanning five seasons through 2008, distinguished itself by eschewing didactic narratives in favour of curiosity-driven inquiry, as seen in experiments debunking everyday misconceptions, such as the effects of microwaving champagne bottles to reveal rapid vaporisation and rupture dynamics. Hammond's role extended to contextualising results with straightforward explanations of underlying laws, like in explosive scenarios, fostering viewer understanding through rather than abstract theory. This approach highlighted potential hazards in untested ideas, including volatile reactions from common materials, without promoting alarmism or regulatory agendas. Hammond's tenure overlapped with his emerging automotive work, demonstrating his adaptability in communicating science via spectacle, as in hydraulic crushes or ballistic impacts that quantified and resilience. The programme's empirical focus—evidenced by controlled variables and repeatable outcomes—contrasted with less rigorous formats, underscoring Hammond's contribution to accessible, principle-based amid the show's entertainment emphasis.

The Grand Tour Era (2016–2024)

![The Grand Tour opening scene shoot](./assets/The_Grand_Tour_opening_scene_shoot_3096361951130963619511 Following their departure from BBC's Top Gear in 2015, Richard Hammond reunited with Jeremy Clarkson and James May for The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video, which premiered its first episode on November 18, 2016. The series preserved the established trio's dynamic of irreverent banter, high-stakes automotive challenges, and international road trips, producing 46 episodes across six series and specials by its conclusion. Early seasons featured a nomadic studio format with a traveling tent erected in diverse locations such as California, Scotland, and South Africa to introduce segments, adapting to logistical demands while emphasizing global motoring adventures. The show's format evolved to include epic challenges that tested vehicles and presenters alike, such as the 2019 Mongolia special, where Clarkson, Hammond, and May were tasked with assembling rudimentary off-roaders from scrap parts and traversing over 1,000 kilometers of unforgiving steppe and desert terrain with minimal supplies. This episode exemplified the series' commitment to unscripted peril and mechanical improvisation, drawing on the presenters' chemistry honed over two decades. Viewership peaked prominently at launch, with the premiere attracting 1.954 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic and setting records as Amazon's most-watched original series at the time, sustaining strong global engagement through its blend of spectacle and skepticism toward automotive fads. By 2024, concluded with its final episode, "One for the Road," released on September 13, amid rising production costs exceeding $78 million per season and the presenters' advancing ages—Hammond at 54, Clarkson at 64, and May at 61—prompting a decision to end before quality declined. Clarkson cited waning enthusiasm for regulatory-driven shifts like widespread adoption, favoring instead the raw escapism of internal combustion engines and improbable journeys that defined the show's legacy. This era globalized the motoring format pioneered on Top Gear, prioritizing empirical vehicle testing and causal challenges over conformity to emerging environmental mandates, thereby retaining a core audience appreciative of unaltered automotive enthusiasm.

Solo and Post-Top Gear Projects

Following the departure from Top Gear in 2015, Richard Hammond established Chimp Television in 2018 as his independent , enabling greater creative autonomy over content focused on , , and automotive endeavors. This venture facilitated solo projects distinct from collaborative efforts, emphasizing hands-on exploration of technical craftsmanship and business challenges in specialized trades. Hammond diversified into consumer products with the launch of Hammond's Spirits in 2022, beginning with Ratio London Dry , a 40% ABV spirit distilled in the and incorporating local botanicals like and for a balanced profile suited to gin and tonics served over . The brand expanded to Iron Ridge Reserve whisky by 2025, positioning these offerings as extensions of Hammond's persona tied to adventure and precision, though market reception has varied amid competition from peers in the automotive media space.

Richard Hammond's Workshop (2021–present)

Launched on Discovery+ in 2021 and produced by Chimp Television in partnership with financier Krempelwood, Richard Hammond's Workshop chronicles Hammond's establishment of The Smallest Cog, a prestige restoration and repair facility located in Hereford on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate in , , near his hometown. The series depicts the operational realities of the business, including hiring skilled mechanics, sourcing parts for vehicles like classic Minis, and navigating economic pressures such as labor costs and client demands for concours-ready finishes. By its fifth season, premiering on October 6, 2025, the program underscores the value of durable restoration over modern disposable , with Hammond investing personally in and to sustain profitability in a .

Rimac Concept One Crash and Engineering Insights (2017)

During filming of an independent segment in 2017, Hammond experienced a high-speed in the electric hypercar, which propelled the vehicle at over 100 mph before it flipped and caught fire, highlighting vulnerabilities in prototype battery systems and chassis dynamics under extreme stress. Post-incident analysis revealed insights into the trade-offs of electric , where rapid delivery—delivering 1,088 horsepower from four motors—can overwhelm traction control and structural limits without redundant fail-safes, informing subsequent advancements in hypercar safety protocols. Hammond's recovery emphasized the causal links between and software in high-performance EVs, advocating for iterative testing grounded in empirical data over theoretical simulations.

Beverage and Production Ventures

Beyond media, Hammond's production arm at Chimp Television extended to unscripted formats like Richard Hammond's Big in 2019, a Discovery series examining large-scale infrastructure such as dams and bridges to reveal scalable engineering principles applicable to automotive design. This entrepreneurial pivot, including the 2022 gin launch, reflects a strategy to mitigate reliance on broadcasting cycles by leveraging personal branding for tangible products, with spirits production emphasizing distillation precision akin to mechanical tolerances in vehicle assembly. Chimp's model prioritizes in-house control to reduce external dependencies, as seen in handling distribution for Workshop episodes across platforms like Prime Video.

Richard Hammond's Workshop (2019–present)

Richard Hammond's Workshop is a British reality television series documenting the establishment and operations of The Smallest Cog, Hammond's restoration business located in Hereford on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate in , . The show depicts Hammond transitioning from high-profile presenting roles to hands-on management of the workshop, where he collaborates with skilled mechanics to repair and restore vintage automobiles, often addressing mechanical, bodywork, and paint challenges. Premiering on 18 October 2021 via Discovery+ in the United Kingdom, the series emphasizes the practical realities of entrepreneurship in the automotive restoration sector, including client acquisitions, budgeting constraints, and workflow efficiencies. Hammond, serving as both owner and on-screen host across 34 episodes through 2025, frequently navigates financial pressures, such as cash flow issues and the need for profitability in a competitive market. The format blends restoration projects—like reviving rare models for events or private owners—with behind-the-scenes insights into team dynamics and business decisions. Key recurring figures include brothers Neil and Anthony Greenhouse, who handled core mechanical and fabrication tasks in early seasons, contributing to over 30 episodes each until their reported departure toward the end of season 4 in 2024. The series has highlighted operational hurdles, including a 2022 warning from production that the business risked without revenue growth, underscoring the high costs and slim margins in restoration. By season 5, premiering on 6 October 2025 with episodes focusing on projects like supercharging initiatives and specialized repairs, the workshop continues to evolve, incorporating new staff such as Isaac Marriott for ongoing restorations. As of October 2025, five seasons have aired, totaling dozens of episodes that portray the workshop's persistence amid industry demands, with Hammond expressing commitment to long-term viability over short-term gains. The production prioritizes authenticity, filming actual client work rather than scripted drama, though it has drawn viewer critique for emphasizing fiscal woes.

Rimac Concept One Crash and Engineering Insights (2017)

On 10 June 2017, during filming for the second season of at the Rechberg hill climb near Möggingen, , Richard Hammond was testing a prototype , a Croatian-developed electric hypercar capable of over 1,000 horsepower from four electric motors. Approaching a right-hand corner at approximately 108 mph (174 km/h) after completing his run, the vehicle experienced a loss of rear traction, leading to oversteer; Hammond counter-steered, but a subsequent electronic malfunction—suspected to involve unintended or throttle override during braking—caused the car to surge forward uncontrollably, resulting in a spin into a barrier and , followed by multiple rolls down an embankment. The £2 million prototype was completely destroyed, with its pack rupturing upon impact and igniting a that burned uncontrollably for five days despite efforts, highlighting the risks inherent in high-density EV batteries under crash deformation—though no immediate explosion occurred, contrary to some fears about lithium chemistries. Hammond sustained minor injuries, including a laceration requiring stitches, and was hospitalized overnight but discharged without serious complications, crediting the car's carbon-fiber structure for absorbing much of the impact energy. Post-crash analysis by revealed software glitches in the power distribution and stability control systems, exacerbated by the extreme demands of hill-climb conditions, rather than mechanical failure or battery issues per se; these were addressed in subsequent updates. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in early electric hypercar engineering, particularly the reliance on complex electronic torque management for four-wheel-drive traction, which can introduce failure modes absent in combustion-engine vehicles—such as latent software conflicts under high-load deceleration that mimic throttle runaway. recovered operationally, using the event's publicity to refine designs; by 2021, the company formed the Rimac Group, acquiring a majority stake in and securing investments from , enabling production of the successor Nevera hypercar with enhanced redundancy in control systems. Hammond later reflected on the crash as a caution against overhyping unproven EV architectures for performance applications, emphasizing empirical testing of hybrid powertrains' mechanical simplicity over pure-electric systems' software dependencies, a view consistent with his critiques of mandated rapid electrification without addressing real-world failure cascades.

Beverage and Production Ventures

In 2025, Richard Hammond founded Hammond's Spirits, a premium brand focused on and whisky production, in with Hawkridge Distillers based in , . The venture draws on Hammond's personal connection to the English countryside, incorporating local botanicals to reflect regional flavors and his experiences with adventure and craftsmanship. The initial lineup includes Ratio London Dry , distilled with bilberries, stinging nettles, gorse flowers, and local honey for a distinctive, expressive profile, and Iron Ridge , named after a hill visible from Hammond's home. Both products are crafted at Hawkridge's facilities, with the gin retailing at £44.50 per 70cl bottle and the whisky at £49.95 per 70cl. Hammond participated directly in the development process, including visits to the distillery to refine recipes emphasizing authenticity and . By October 2025, Hammond expressed plans to expand the range with variants such as and , signaling ongoing production ambitions with Hawkridge. This initiative positions Hammond alongside former Top Gear colleagues and , who have pursued their own alcohol-related enterprises, though Hammond's emphasizes engineered precision and exploratory themes aligned with his media persona.

Personal Life and Health

Marriage, Family, and Recent Divorce (2025)

Richard Hammond married Amanda Hammond, professionally known as Mindy Hammond, in 2002 following a relationship that began in the late 1990s. The couple share two daughters: Isabella "Izzy" Hammond, born in 2001, and Hammond, born in 2004. Despite the nomadic demands of Hammond's career in television production and presenting, which often required prolonged absences for filming international segments, the family prioritized stability by basing themselves in rural , where Mindy pursued and the couple renovated properties including Bollitree Castle. On January 9, 2025, Hammond and his wife announced their after 23 years of marriage, equivalent to 28 years together overall. In a joint statement shared on Hammond's X account, they stated: "Our marriage is coming to an end, but we've had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters… We have drifted apart but remain incredibly fond of each other." The separation coincided with personal hardships, including the death of Hammond's father, Alan, from cancer in late 2024, which Hammond described as inflicting "tremendous grief" amid the relational breakdown. Hammond later reflected in September 2025 interviews that the preceding years had been "tough," attributing relational strain to the cumulative pressures of a high-profile career involving risk-laden stunts and global travel, which eroded marital cohesion over time without invoking external excuses. The couple emphasized co-parenting their daughters as a priority post-, with Hammond noting in a episode the challenge of navigating such changes while maintaining familial bonds forged through decades of shared experiences. Empirical patterns in public figures suggest that sustained professional mobility and public scrutiny often correlate with higher divorce rates, as seen in Hammond's case where career-induced absences contributed to emotional distance.

Brain Injury Recovery and Long-Term Effects

Following the 2006 Vampire dragster crash, Hammond sustained frontal lobe brain damage, resulting in a two-week coma and initial short-term memory deficits that limited retention to under 10 seconds. He experienced severe depression and impaired emotional processing, linked to the injury's impact on brain regions handling affect regulation, which he addressed through psychological therapy as part of rehabilitation. These symptoms, common sequelae of frontal lobe trauma, resolved sufficiently for Hammond to resume professional activities within months, including returning to Top Gear filming by early 2007, indicating no enduring functional impairment precluding high-stakes work. Long-term effects have included persistent memory challenges, such as forgetting locations of personal items—termed "lost key syndrome"—and broader concerns over potential early-onset dementia, which Hammond has publicly attributed to the crash at age 54 in 2024 interviews. Despite these, empirical evidence from his sustained career output, including hosting The Grand Tour through 2024 and launching engineering-focused projects, counters narratives of permanent debilitation; the risks of extreme vehicle testing, while yielding real neurological costs, have facilitated advancements in safety data for high-performance engineering. In the 2017 Rimac Concept One crash, Hammond suffered a fractured but no recurrence of or acute injury, undergoing surgery and achieving full recovery without reported neurological sequelae beyond standard post-trauma adrenaline response management. This incident underscored inherent hazards in trials but demonstrated resilience from prior adaptations, with Hammond resuming filming shortly thereafter and no evidence of compounded cognitive decline.

Residences and Lifestyle Choices

Richard Hammond primarily resides at Bollitree Castle, a Grade II-listed 18th-century estate in , , situated near the border. The 20-acre property, acquired by his family in 2008, features historic architecture and has served as a base for personal and professional endeavors, including the establishment of his classic car restoration workshop, The Smallest Cog. Hammond's lifestyle reflects a preference for rural , enabling hands-on restoration efforts on the estate and proximity to countryside activities over urban conveniences. This setting supports self-reliant pursuits, such as maintaining the property's structures and integrating workshop operations focused on mechanical preservation. In 2024, amid turning 55, Hammond purchased a Turbo S for daily use, underscoring a deliberate embrace of personal agency and enjoyment in his rural routine. The estate gained prominence in early 2025 following Hammond's from Mindy Hammond, announced in after 23 years of , with reports indicating he relocated to an on-site barn during the separation. Concurrently, he announced his father Alan's death from cancer in February, describing profound grief yet maintaining professional continuity through public discussions on his . These events highlight a resilient approach to personal upheaval within the stability of his countryside home.

Automotive Passions and Collections

Personal Vehicle Ownership

Richard Hammond's personal vehicle collection features an eclectic assortment of classics and modern performance cars, emphasizing engineering heritage and drivability over ostentation, with an estimated total value exceeding $500,000 as of September 2025. Among the highlights are American muscle cars like the 1969 R/T, known for its 426 Hemi V8 producing 425 horsepower, and British icons such as the (capable of 120 mph as its name suggests) and XK150, which together formed a retro segment appraised at approximately £400,000 in June 2023. These selections underscore a focus on vehicles with proven performance metrics—such as the XK120's inline-six engine delivering 160 horsepower—and historical value from mid-20th-century production runs. Hammond views his cars primarily as instruments for personal enjoyment and mechanical exploration rather than displays of wealth, often prioritizing models that balance speed with usability. A key example is his Turbo S, featuring 650 horsepower from a 3.8-liter and all-wheel drive for superior traction, which he employs for daily commutes as of October 2024. This aligns with his longstanding appreciation for the 911 lineage as "characterful, practical, [and] fast," enabling real-world testing of dynamics without sacrificing everyday functionality. Post-accident adaptations, informed by the 2006 dragster crash and 2017 incident, reveal a pragmatic evolution toward reliable daily drivers that mitigate risk while accommodating his workshop demands. In , he adopted a utilitarian specifically for transporting parts and tools related to restorations, highlighting a recalibrated emphasis on versatility over raw velocity. This shift complements occasional auctions of sentimental pieces, such as his 1969 Porsche 911T in , allowing rotation toward machines that reward measured engagement with their capabilities.

Notable Cars

Hammond owned a 1968 GT 390, a classic American retaining its original Highland Green paint, powered by a 390 (6.4-liter) producing 335 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of , enabling 0-60 mph acceleration in about 6.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time around 14.5 seconds under period testing conditions. Among his sports car holdings was a 1999 Sport 350, one of only 48 units produced, equipped with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged delivering 350 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed exceeding 175 mph, with its lightweight body and mid-engine layout contributing to agile handling praised in contemporary reviews for superior cornering grip over heavier contemporaries. He auctioned this vehicle in 2021 for £62,250 as part of raising £230,000 to capitalize his car restoration venture. Hammond also possessed a 1969 Porsche 911T, a fuel-injected air-cooled flat-six model with 130 horsepower from its 2.0-liter , noted for its rear-engine balance enabling precise handling and a top speed near 140 mph, which he sold at the same 2021 for a significant sum contributing to the business funding total. His collection included a restored 1958 , featuring a 3.4-liter inline-six producing 210 horsepower in standard form, with upgrades potentially enhancing output, valued for its smooth power delivery and grand touring capabilities rather than outright speed, achieving 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds.

Motorcycles and Other Machines

Hammond maintains an extensive personal collection of approximately 25 motorcycles, spanning classics and modern models, which he showcased in a 2025 video tour of his private garage. Among his favorites are Italian Ducatis, including the iconic 916 for its enduring aesthetic appeal, and British , which evoke classic simplicity. He also owns multiple BMWs, such as a 1970s R90S and early 1920s models, alongside American Indians like a 1946 Chief and a modern FTR, Japanese Yamahas (FZR750), Suzukis, Kawasakis, and workhorse Royal Enfields. These machines reflect his preference for mechanically pure, high-performance two-wheelers over the comparative safety of automobiles, despite motorcycles exhibiting fatality rates about 25 times higher per mile traveled in the UK compared to cars. His off-road motorcycle experiences, beginning at age five, have shaped segments on shows like Top Gear and , where he tested rugged bikes in extreme conditions. Notable adventures include a 2024 Himalayan tour reaching , the world's highest motorable road at 19,024 feet, on adventure-oriented machines that highlighted durability challenges like high-altitude engine performance and tire maintenance. Hammond's restoration work through The Smallest Cog workshop provides quantifiable insights into upkeep, such as periodic valve adjustments every 5,000 miles on Ducatis to prevent cam chain wear, contrasting the lower maintenance demands of his car collection. Beyond motorcycles, Hammond owns utilitarian machines for practical use, including tractors suited to his rural property at Bollitree Castle, where he has employed them for farm tasks amid his restoration projects. These include heavy tracked models akin to the 24-ton Case STX Steiger he piloted in a Top Gear tractor challenge, valued for their (up to 2,000 Nm) in towing and plowing over the raw speed of bikes. This diversification underscores his broader affinity for engineered machinery, prioritizing experiential thrill over statistical safety disparities.

Racing Involvement

Endurance Racing Participation

Richard Hammond has taken part in endurance racing events, primarily 24-hour races, to test vehicles under extended operational stress and gain firsthand into their limits. These efforts involved driving modified production cars in formats, where rotations among drivers and frequent mechanical adjustments were essential to maintaining competitiveness. His approach prioritizes about durability and failure points over pursuing professional-level victories, aligning with a practical evaluation of in competitive settings. In such races, Hammond's stints contributed to overall team outcomes that emphasized reliability amid challenges like tire wear, engine strain, and unexpected breakdowns, often requiring roadside or pit repairs. Events at circuits including and Snetterton showcased his ability to handle prolonged sessions, though incidents such as high-speed crashes underscored the inherent risks and physical demands on non-professional drivers. Finishing positions typically reflected competent execution, with lap totals demonstrating sustained pace without matching elite teams' consistency or speed. Assessments of Hammond's skill level portray him as a capable enthusiast rather than a tuned racer, capable of delivering respectable lap times in but prone to errors under or that professionals mitigate through specialized . Team camaraderie and adaptive strategies, such as quick fixes during downtime, were recurrent themes, fostering a collaborative dynamic over individual heroics. This participation extends his motoring interests into tangible , validating vehicle capabilities through empirical rather than simulated tests.

2CV 24-Hour Race Results

Richard Hammond competed in the 2003 24 Hour Race at , , on 14–15 May. His team, entered under Top Gear auspices with car number 2 from the Sirens squad, included drivers Fasta Rasta Pasta, the Vicar, and Ben Collins (). The event prioritized mechanical reliability and driver stamina over raw performance, given the 2CV's modest 29–35 horsepower output and top speeds around 60 mph (97 km/h); entrants focused modifications on durable components like reinforced , upgraded cooling systems, and simplified gearing to maximize laps without failure. The race concluded early due to conditions, with BAPS Racing's car 80—driven by Ainslie Bousfield, Gary Adnitt, Panas, and Storey—securing victory after 507 laps. Hammond's team's precise finishing position remains undocumented in official club archives, reflecting the series' amateur, participatory spirit where completion itself highlighted lessons in 2CV frailties, such as frequent gearbox strains and suspension wear under prolonged load, informing tweaks for rather than contention. This alignment with the race's ethos—fun derived from quirky, low-stakes persistence—contrasted professional , emphasizing causal factors like material fatigue over power deficits as primary hurdles.

Britcar 24-Hour Results

![Top Gear's BMW 330d during the 2007 Britcar 24 Hours][float-right]
Richard Hammond competed in the endurance race at on 8–9 September, representing the Top Gear team alongside , , and the program's professional racing driver, . The entry was a hastily modified 330d diesel saloon, converted from a standard road car to meet race specifications by the Thorne Motorsport team. The endured multiple mechanical setbacks, including wiring loom damage from ABS system removal that initially capped engine revs at 3,000 rpm, a worn and , a failed emitting smoke, and suspected turbo issues. Hammond's stint ended in a collision when the 's side was damaged by contact from a faster Mosler , necessitating repairs but allowing continuation. Despite these failures—totaling several hours in unscheduled pit stops—the diesel engine's robustness enabled the team to complete the full 24 hours, finishing third in the diesel invitation class amid a field dominated by professionally prepared prototypes and GT cars. These reliability challenges highlighted preparation deficiencies in adapting a diesel vehicle for high-stakes , where amateur oversight contrasted with the pros' input from The Stig's high-speed stints that mitigated some time losses. The experience informed later discussions on and vehicle prep in Hammond's automotive media ventures.

Recent Motorsports Activities (2025)

In August 2025, Richard Hammond competed at the in a 1961 , entering the Royal Automobile Club Historic Tourist race as part of a one-off appearance. The event, held over the August weekend, featured Hammond driving the classic in a field of historic vehicles, with footage captured for the fifth season of his Discovery+ series Richard Hammond's Workshop. No incidents or mechanical failures were reported during his runs, underscoring his sustained ability to handle period-correct machinery at age 56, nearly two decades after his 2006 high-speed crash and subsequent . Hammond's 2025 motorsport engagements remained limited to such guest outings and demonstration drives, including a track session in his modified 2003 at Silverstone's Gassed On Track event organized by . This selective approach aligns with his post-injury caution against prolonged, high-stakes endurance commitments, favoring controlled environments that mitigate risks to his long-term health while allowing occasional participation to maintain skills and public engagement.

Philanthropy and Public Service

Key Charitable Initiatives

Following his 2006 high-speed crash that resulted in a , Hammond became an for The Children's Trust, a charity specializing in rehabilitation for children with , a role he has held for many years. In July 2009, he officially opened the charity's new residential rehabilitation centre in , , highlighting the importance of specialized care based on his own recovery experience. He has also publicly endorsed , the brain injury association, attending a 2017 fundraising event in where he praised their support for affected individuals and families. Hammond's charitable efforts often incorporate his motoring expertise to aid children, such as fulfilling the 2013 wish of terminally ill Emilia Glover through Rays of Sunshine by arranging a drive in a custom pink . He has supported broader children's causes including and , typically through practical, vehicle-themed events rather than broad advocacy. In 2022, he collaborated with former Top Gear colleagues and to promote a restored 25 auction that raised over £7,000 for Scotty's Little Soldiers, aiding bereaved children of military families. Into 2025, amid personal challenges including his marriage breakdown, Hammond maintained involvement by becoming a patron for AutoRaise, a charity funding apprenticeships in the collision repair sector to train young people in vehicle mechanics. He recorded a promotional video for a similar initiative supporting youth entry into vehicle repair trades and participated in the July St Michael's Hospice Classic Car Show in to boost attendance and donations. Additionally, he and his wife have advocated for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, emphasizing operational funding for . These activities demonstrate sustained, targeted contributions focused on tangible outcomes like skill-building and direct patient support.

Controversies and Cultural Impact

Criticisms of Recklessness and Environmental Insensitivity

Critics of Top Gear and , in which Hammond featured prominently, have contended that the programs glorify reckless high-speed antics, potentially endangering viewers by normalizing extreme risks under the guise of entertainment. Hammond's crash on September 14, 2006, during a filmed attempt to exceed 300 mph in a jet-powered dragster at Raceway, , —reaching 288 mph before flipping and resulting in severe injuries including a two-week —prompted internal safety reviews and external scrutiny over the ethics of such stunts. Road safety campaigners, as reported in , urged the to cancel Top Gear as early as 2005, arguing it fosters a "yobbish attitude" toward speed and power among young male audiences. Similar objections arose with 's 2016 promotional footage depicting staged crashes, which the Brake charity's campaigns director labeled as "crass and insensitive" for glorifying consequences. Despite these assertions, no peer-reviewed studies or official data have documented spikes in road accidents or reckless mimicry directly attributable to Top Gear viewership, with accident statistics from the UK showing no correlating upticks in high-speed incidents post-broadcast peaks between 2002 and 2015. Claims of influence often rely on anecdotal concerns rather than causal , contrasting with broader media trends where dramatized risks in action films and sports programming elicit comparable hype without proven harm. On environmental grounds, detractors have faulted Hammond's segments for showcasing fuel-guzzling and wasteful challenges, such as amphibious races or long-haul efficiency tests that highlighted excesses, as dismissive of climate imperatives. Academic analyses, including those examining Top Gear's rejection of global warming alarmism in favor of performance priorities, portray the show as embodying anti-environmentalism amid rising emissions scrutiny. These critiques, frequently amplified in left-leaning outlets like , frame the content as insensitive to sustainability trade-offs, though segments empirically demonstrated engineering realities—such as power outputs requiring high fuel volumes—without endorsing inefficiency as policy. Audience reception data, including a 2009 survey naming Top Gear the UK's top TV program, indicates viewer preference for such unfiltered depictions over sanitized alternatives.

Allegations of Social Insensitivity and Responses

In December 2016, during an episode of , Richard Hammond remarked that he was "too straight" to eat , which drew accusations of homophobia from advocacy groups including Stonewall and individuals like , who described it as perpetuating slurs against . The comment, made in a comedic context amid banter with co-hosts and , was interpreted by critics as normalizing stereotypes linking everyday activities to , though no direct harm or targeting of individuals was alleged. Hammond rejected demands for apology, asserting in 2017 interviews that the remark was not serious and that he is not homophobic, emphasizing "love is love" and that personal knowledge of him would confirm the . Similar backlash arose in 2019 from singer , who accused the show's hosts of stereotyping but focused criticism on Hammond as the primary offender; Hammond did not issue a formal retraction, maintaining the intent was humorous exaggeration rather than prejudice. No formal complaints were filed with regulators like , and the incident resulted in no professional repercussions, contrasting with cases involving substantiated discriminatory conduct. Separately, Hammond and Clarkson frequently ribbed on Top Gear and by dubbing him "Captain Slow" or "Mr. OCD" in reference to his orderly habits, which May has acknowledged as reflective of his diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder. In August 2024, amid reflections on the end of their long collaboration, Hammond expressed regret for the taunts, stating he now feels "bad" about contributing to mockery of a serious condition, though he framed it as light-hearted team banter rather than intentional harm. May has not publicly indicated offense or sought redress, and no internal or external complaints arose from the exchanges, underscoring their context as intra-group humor without broader impact.

Resistance to Political Correctness Critiques

In October 2023, Richard Hammond rebutted criticisms portraying the original Top Gear hosts as exemplars of "lad culture," asserting, "We were never laddish... As people? Not one of us is what you’d describe as ‘a lad’. We weren’t misogynistic. We were basically just three nice blokes." He clarified that their format intentionally countered the "laddish perception" endemic to motoring journalism, focusing instead on accessible enthusiasm for vehicles to broaden appeal beyond enthusiasts: "We always said you don’t have to be a nerd to watch the show because we do that for you." While James May described the trio in July 2023 as "reasonably liberal-minded, modern, forward-thinking " whose on-screen involved hamming up personas rather than reflecting literal views, Hammond's defenses underscore a practical toward enforced . This approach favored authentic, unpolished interaction—rooted in mutual affinity for cars and banter—over revisions aligned with prevailing sensitivity standards, prioritizing viewer driven by unvarnished presentation. Hammond's stance contributed to professional resilience, as evidenced by the trio's pivot to The Grand Tour (2016–2024), which maintained high viewership ratings—peaking at over 4 million per episode in early seasons—despite analogous critiques, affirming audience preference for their style over institutional calls for sanitization.

Written Works and Recognitions

Bibliography

Richard Hammond's published works primarily comprise memoirs and accessible treatments of and automotive topics, characterized by first-person narratives that prioritize empirical observations from his professional risks and explorations over interpretive overlays. These books derive authority from Hammond's direct participation in events, such as vehicle testing and recovery from , yielding causal accounts of mechanical failures, human limits, and restorative processes supported by personal data points like injury specifics and performance metrics rather than unsubstantiated conjecture. Outputs align with peaks in his television visibility, with most releases occurring between 2006 and 2013 amid Top Gear's prominence, reflecting modest literary volume compared to his broadcast output.
  • Can You Feel the Force? (Dorling , 2006): Introduces physics concepts through everyday examples, using quantifiable demonstrations like forces in vehicles to explain principles empirically.
  • On the Edge: My Story (, 2007): Details the 2006 Vampire dragster crash at 288 mph, including duration, surgical interventions, and cognitive rehabilitation milestones, framed as a sequence of observable physiological causes and effects.
  • Car Science: An Under-the-Hood, Behind-the-Dash Look at How Cars Work (Dorling , 2008): Breaks down automotive systems via diagrams and test-derived data on topics like and , avoiding anthropomorphic or narrative embellishments.
  • As You Do: Adventures with Evel, Oliver, and the Vice-President of Botswana (, 2008): Recounts expeditions including Arctic convoy drives, emphasizing logistical failures and mechanical contingencies encountered, with recovery narratives rooted in sequential problem-solving.
  • Or Is That Just Me? (, 2012): Autobiographical reflections on career mishaps and family dynamics, grounded in specific incidents like equipment malfunctions during filming.
  • On the Road: Growing Up in Eight Journeys – My Early Years (, 2013): Traces formative drives linking personal development to vehicle handling realities, using retrospective analysis of speed, terrain, and control variables.

Awards and Industry Honors

Hammond received the TRIC New TV Talent Award and Satellite/Digital TV Personality Award in 2005 for his emerging role on Top Gear. These recognitions from the highlighted his contributions to motoring programming amid growing viewership. In 2007, following his recovery from a high-speed crash during a Top Gear filming segment in September 2006 that resulted in a two-week and brain injury, Hammond was awarded the TRIC Satellite/Digital TV Personality honor. The ceremony included standing ovations and tributes emphasizing his resilience and return to broadcasting, with industry peers acknowledging the personal fortitude required to resume high-risk presenting. That year, he also secured Men of the Year TV Personality of the Year, reflecting peer and editorial acclaim for his on-screen presence despite the accident's aftermath. Hammond won the British Academy Children's Award for Best Presenter in 2009 for , a series on that engaged young audiences through experiments and demonstrations. This peer-voted BAFTA stood out amid limited personal wins, as Top Gear accolades largely credited the team collectively, such as RTS and for factual programming popularity driven by viewer metrics exceeding 8 million per episode in peak years.
YearAwardDetails
2005TRIC New TV TalentFor Top Gear contributions.
2005TRIC Satellite/Digital TV PersonalityRecognition of digital broadcasting impact.
2007TRIC Satellite/Digital TV PersonalityPost-accident resilience tribute.
2007GQ Men of the Year TV PersonalityEditorial honor for entertainment value.
2009BAFTA Children's Best PresenterFor Richard Hammond's Blast Lab.
Post-The Grand Tour (2016–2024), Hammond has not received major industry honors, aligning with a pivot to niche automotive content like Richard Hammond's Workshop on Discovery, which prioritizes enthusiast audiences over broad jury appeal. Award bodies, often influenced by institutional preferences for conventional narratives, have shown less recognition for unscripted, risk-embracing formats despite sustained viewer engagement metrics. Trivial polls, such as Brylcreem's 2007 Best Hair on TV, underscore lighter public perceptions rather than substantive professional validation.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1414369/bio/
  2. https://topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/everything-you-need-to-know-about-richard-hammond/
  3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/670639550530889/posts/1628960688032099/
  4. https://www.nmplive.co.uk/richard-hammond
  5. https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/richard-hammond-top-gear-the-grand-tour-jeremy-clarkson-b1180356.html
  6. https://www.reddit.com/r/thegrandtour/comments/1f6agpf/two_decades_of_top_gear_and_the_grand_tour_by/
  7. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/richard-hammond-top-gear-crash-injuries-grand-tour-b2605546.html
  8. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12775727/top-gear-bbc-controversies-richard-hammond-crash-jeremy-clarkson.html
  9. https://www.hotcars.com/richard-hammond-car-crashes-worth/
  10. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edge-My-Story-Richard-Hammond/dp/0753824043
  11. https://topgear.fandom.com/wiki/Richard_Hammond
  12. https://mabumbe.com/people/richard-hammond-age-net-worth-family-career-highlights-biography/
  13. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/tv/7-things-you-never-knew-246321
  14. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/nov/22/richard-hammond-top-gear-family-values
  15. https://www.last.fm/music/Richard%2BHammond/%2Bwiki
  16. https://www.brandandstory.ca/post/richard-hammond-the-brand-beyond-the-personality
  17. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10533565/Richard-Hammond-says-I-suffered-from-impossible-arrogance.html
  18. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/top-gear-star-richard-hammond-6939025
  19. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/richard-hammond/bio/3030033299/
  20. https://kids.kiddle.co/Richard_Hammond
  21. https://www.speakersassociates.com/speaker/richard-hammond/
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2006/09/21/richard_hammond_feature.shtml
  23. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/richard-hammond-before-top-gear-grand-tour-171732643.html
  24. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1414369/
  25. https://x.com/RichardHammond/status/281748438486507521
  26. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31843500
  27. https://forums.finalgear.com/threads/great-viewing-figures.16931/post-16931
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/dec/13/jeremy-clarkson-cultural-treasure-bbc
  29. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64632577
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/sep/14/bbc.television1
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/feb/26/healthandwellbeing.society
  32. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5392296.stm
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442633/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442633/episodes/?season=3
  35. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/BrainiacScienceAbuse
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OziCDoox5Y
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623136/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2510740/
  39. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvn2n
  40. https://deadline.com/2019/12/richard-hammonds-big-science-channel-sets-premiere-date-for-global-adventure-series-1202813580/
  41. https://www.thetvdb.com/series/brainiac-science-abuse
  42. https://tropedia.fandom.com/wiki/Brainiac:_Science_Abuse
  43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJpwJsmNpE4
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442633/episodes/
  45. https://thejanitorium.home.blog/portfolio/brainiac-the-drunk-british-mythbusters/
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l24mJ9lOvq8
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDoYi0EErlo
  48. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37382427
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5712554/episodes/
  50. https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/entertainment/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-grand-tour
  51. https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/06/jeremy-clarkson-reveals-behind-scenes-secret-grand-tours-mongolia-special-9125864/
  52. https://www.thewrap.com/the-grand-tour-tv-ratings-man-in-high-castle-amazon/
  53. https://vodzilla.co/blog/vod-news/amazons-the-grand-tour-breaks-viewership-records/
  54. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/30456042/jeremy-clarkson-reveals-real-reason-grand-tour-ended/
  55. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/amazon-prime-video-viewing-figures-the-grand-tour/
  56. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/sep/13/the-grand-tour-one-for-the-road-why-jeremy-clarkson-looks-so-happy
  57. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1947796/why-The-Grand-Tour-ending
  58. https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/richard-hammond-goes-big-discovery-1203197569/
  59. https://systemsituat.3mil-demo.co.uk/case-study/chimp-television/
  60. https://deadline.com/2021/06/discovery-richard-hammond-workshop-1234778566/
  61. https://hammondsspirits.com/product/hammonds-ratio-london-dry-gin/
  62. https://hammondsspirits.com/
  63. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/richard-hammond-shifts-gears-into-gin/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14906022/
  65. https://www.smallestcog.com/
  66. https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/en/shows/richard-hammonds-workshop/17c8d31c-9eae-48f0-b1ac-8083421d71c6
  67. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/25518284.discovery-launch-richard-hammonds-workshop-series-5/
  68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN3tf_6ia6w
  69. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TexqYF_-3H0
  70. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00hvtgh
  71. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Richard-Hammonds-Workshop/0KYR95J8QXPX4J7PN61ZEC67AZ
  72. https://epguides.com/RichardHammondsWorkshop/
  73. https://www.discoveryuk.com/series/richard-hammonds-workshop/
  74. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/business/22808004.richard-hammonds-workshop-risk-hereford-business-going-bust/
  75. https://thetvdb.com/series/richard-hammonds-workshop/allseasons/official
  76. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/richard-hammonds-workshop/episodes-season-5/1060523335/
  77. https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/interviews/inside-richard-hammonds-workshop-its-for-love-not-money-and-were-in-it-for-the-long-haul-says-star/
  78. https://www.reddit.com/r/thegrandtour/comments/sml26l/hammonds_workshop_is_a_strange_show/
  79. https://electrek.co/2017/06/10/richard-hammond-crash-rimac-concept_one-all-electric-supercar/
  80. https://topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/the-grand-tour/richard-hammonds-rimac-concept-one-crash-in-detail/
  81. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111078_rimac-provides-more-details-on-richard-hammonds-crash
  82. https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/6kbnc7/ot_richard_hammond_discusses_his_rimac_crash_with/
  83. https://www.reddit.com/r/thegrandtour/comments/vs25ju/pretty_great_rimac_was_able_to_recover_from/
  84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5FfNB69VwU
  85. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/06/richard-hammond-enters-spirits-with-hawkridge/
  86. https://hammondsspirits.com/about/
  87. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/25283547.top-gears-richard-hammonds-new-venture-distillery/
  88. https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/richard-hammond-follows-ex-top-gear-co-presenters-into-booze/706271.article
  89. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMNvPdZoma0
  90. https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/richard-hammond-expands-his-spirits-range-9438230/
  91. https://www.reddit.com/r/thegrandtour/comments/1lm0g8s/top_gear_trio_in_gin_battle_as_hammond_launches/
  92. https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/740077/richard-hammond-wife-mindy-announce-split-after-28-years/
  93. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/30427823/richard-hammond-daughters-isabelle-willow-who/
  94. https://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/24956606.top-gears-richard-hammonds-daughter-izzy-hammond/
  95. https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/tv/richard-hammond-divorce-comments-grand-tour-episode-410487-20250421
  96. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/richard-hammond-wife-divorce-mindy-split-children-140725908.html
  97. https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/richard-hammond-father-death-divorce-grief-b2694883.html
  98. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/33268825/richard-hammond-dad-died/
  99. https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2114036/richard-hammond-breaks-silence-divorce
  100. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-richard-hammond-breaks-silence-35973494
  101. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/36844731/richard-hammond-breaks-silence-divorce-wife/
  102. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1885426/Izzy-Hammond-Richard-Hammond-podcast-brain-injury
  103. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/richard-hammonds-wife-feared-would-34451355
  104. https://anthonygold.co.uk/insight/recovery-and-rehabilitation-after-brain-injury-personal-account-by-richard-hammond/
  105. https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/tv/richard-hammond-top-gear-crash-bbc-grand-tour-734244-20240903
  106. https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/20/richard-hammond-living-syndrome-18-years-top-gar-crash-20314369/
  107. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13761123/Richard-Hammond-men-mental-health-Grand-Tour-final.html
  108. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/grand-tour-host-richard-hammond-injured-car-crash-1012220/
  109. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jun/11/richard-hammond-escaped-crashed-car-seconds-before-being-incinerated
  110. https://classic-car-history.com/richard-hammond-car-crash-video/
  111. https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/740279/richard-hammond-and-wife-mindys-sprawling-7m-castle-at-centre-of-divorce/
  112. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/richard-hammond-finally-coming-home-9500613
  113. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24983930.inside-top-gears-richard-hammonds-herefordshire-estate/
  114. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/property/1746690/where-does-Richard-Hammond-live
  115. https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/richard-hammond-launches-new-classic-car-restoration-business-in-memory-of-his-grandfather/
  116. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PCTrhmgWYU
  117. https://www.hotcars.com/richard-hammond-porsche-911-as-his-daily-driver/
  118. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14269849/Inside-Richard-Hammonds-man-cave-7m-Bollitree-Castle-estate-banished-split-wife-Mindy-sneaking-prized-motorbike-collection-in.html
  119. https://www.facebook.com/drivetribe/posts/exploring-richard-hammonds-car-collection/1251761866994773/
  120. https://www.the-sun.com/motors/6628786/inside-richard-hammonds-classic-car-collection/
  121. https://news.dupontregistry.com/porsche/richard-hammond-shares-why-he-loves-the-porsche-911/
  122. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jcol4twYr4
  123. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXgu5w9ajv8
  124. https://www.genspark.ai/spark/what-is-richard-hammond-s-current-car-collection/db26b852-895b-419c-80e5-15ab51a59d1e
  125. https://www.footmanjames.co.uk/blog/richard-hammond-sliverstone-auction
  126. https://uncrate.com/top-gears-richard-hammond-private-collection-auction/
  127. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qaUDrVAMnY
  128. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=74&t=2127851
  129. https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/video-inside-richard-hammonds-dream-motorcycle-collection
  130. https://www.visordown.com/news/richard-hammonds-huge-bike-collection-thing-beauty
  131. https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/5fyjiy/richard_hammond_why_i_love_motorcycles/
  132. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhxaKFazv60
  133. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4GizyQc6o
  134. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1125430022960964&id=100064819293445&set=a.603943445109627
  135. https://topgear.fandom.com/wiki/Tractor_Challenge
  136. https://www.rideapart.com/news/776371/top-gear-richard-hammond-motorcycle-collection-video-bmw-ducati/
  137. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1026437_hammond-crashes-again-unhurt-this-time
  138. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=141&t=161946&i=40
  139. https://www.flickr.com/photos/trackside/49746133372
  140. https://www.quora.com/How-did-Jeremy-Clarkson-James-May-and-Richard-Hammond-gain-their-racing-expertise
  141. https://oldsite.2cvracing.org.uk/2003/24hr/entries.htm
  142. https://2cvracing.org.uk/previous-24hr-winners/
  143. https://motorsportuk.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Revolution-2025-JUNE-SP-1.pdf
  144. https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/2007-2/
  145. https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonheads/hammond-crashes-in-24hr-race/16780
  146. https://modernathena.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/top-gear-24-hour-endurance-race/
  147. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglngz75gjeo
  148. https://www.silverstone.co.uk/news/richard-hammond-race-months-star-studded-silverstone-festival
  149. https://www.racecar.com/news/102408/modus-vivendi/richard-hammond-to-race-at-this-months-star-studded-silverstone-festival
  150. https://www.hotcars.com/richard-hammond-modified-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-silverstone-track-day/
  151. https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/4507414.top-gear-star-richard-hammond-opens-tadworth-childrens-trust-brain-clinic/
  152. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15394272.former-top-gear-presenter-richard-hammond-praises-work-of-herefordshire-headway/
  153. https://www.rwkgoodman.com/info-hub/5-famous-people-who-suffered-brain-injury/
  154. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2XqNMuY0qY
  155. https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/richard-hammond
  156. https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/news/car-restoration-project-on-a-tired-old-rover-25-raises-over-7-000-for-bereaved-forces-children-with-the-help-of-clarkson-hammond
  157. https://www.bodyshopmag.com/2025/news/tvs-richard-hammond-joins-autoraise-as-a-charity-patron/
  158. https://www.reddit.com/r/thegrandtour/comments/1krb7wv/video_richard_hammond_records_a_message_for_a/
  159. https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelshospicehereford/posts/-a-huge-thank-you-to-richard-hammond-who-so-generously-gave-up-his-time-to-suppo/774855254869381/
  160. https://www.midlandsairambulance.com/support-us/ambassador-support/richard-mindy-hammond/
  161. https://www.topgear.com/car-news/jeremy-clarkson/jeremy-clarkson-speeding
  162. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/apr/12/broadcasting.bbc1
  163. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/nov/15/car-crash-stunts-jeremy-clarkson-show-crass-insensitive-london-berlin-los-angeles
  164. https://metro.co.uk/2016/11/15/car-crash-promo-for-jeremy-clarksons-the-grand-tour-slammed-for-glorifying-dangerous-driving-6260657/
  165. https://s3mag.com/top-gear-the-grand-tour-and-the-end-of-an-era/
  166. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307875634_Belligerent_broadcasting_male_anti-authoritarianism_and_anti-environmentalism_the_case_of_Top_Gear_BBC_2002-2015
  167. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6884202/Top-Gear-is-nations-favourite-in-TV-poll.html
  168. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-38442533
  169. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/dec/27/richard-hammond-ice-cream-gay-the-grand-tour
  170. https://www.thepinknews.com/2017/12/07/richard-hammond-angrily-denies-making-homophobic-comments/
  171. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/richard-hammond-sparks-backlash-defends-saying-gay-men-eat-ice-cream-142726160.html
  172. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jan/30/will-young-accuses-the-grand-tour-of-homophobic-stereotyping
  173. https://www.gbnews.com/celebrity/richard-hammond-admits-feeling-bad-treatment-james-may-serious-condition-ocd
  174. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/29689101/richard-hammond-james-may-regret/
  175. https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1935206/richard-hammond-james-may-confession
  176. https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/top-gear-richard-hammond-james-may-ocd-370792-20240804
  177. https://www.gbnews.com/celebrity/richard-hammond-top-gear-backlash-jeremy-clarkson-james-may
  178. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/richard-hammond-top-gear-lads-jeremy-clarkson-b2434878.html
  179. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/james-may-jeremy-clarkson-richard-hammond-politics-b2375533.html
  180. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/top-gear-grand-tour-jeremy-clarkson-hammond-may-tx9m9zrjm
  181. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/255756.Richard_Hammond
  182. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/272484/richard-hammond/
  183. https://www.amazon.com/Edge-My-Story-Richard-Hammond/dp/0297853279
  184. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1926218.On_the_Edge
  185. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/richard-hammond/339867/
  186. https://www.amazon.com/As-You-Do-Richard-Hammond/dp/0753825627
  187. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4631495-as-you-do
  188. https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Hammond/e/B001IQWRGK
  189. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/richard-hammond-from-tv-show-top-gear-receives-the-new-tv-news-photo/829540832
  190. https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a43597/hammond-lloyd-take-tric-awards/
  191. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6425885.stm
  192. https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/20070307549845/tric-awards-london/
  193. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/30/television-bbc
  194. https://topgear.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_awards_and_accolades
  195. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1414369/awards/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.