Clarkson v Evans: by the numbers

The return of Jeremy Clarkson with a new car show means he will go head-to-head with Top Gear’s new presenter Chris Evans

Chris Evans: the new face of BBC Top Gear
Chris Evans: the new face of BBC Top Gear

With a new motoring show due to be launched on Amazon hosted by the former Top Gear presenters, it will be a case of Jeremy Clarkson v Chris Evans. But how do the two petrol-heads compare? Here is a look at the rivalry in numbers.

Cars

Evans takes the chequered flag for the most expensive.

Jeremy Clarkson is set to return with a new car show backed by Amazon
Jeremy Clarkson is set to return with a new car show backed by Amazon

In 2010, the DJ shelled out £12 million for a 1960 Ferrari GTO, one of just 36 built. The Radio 2 presenter added to his Ferrari collection last year, paying £2.27 million at auction for a 1971 Daytona Spyder.

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In comparison, Clarkson's Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder only cost him a measly £147,000.

Driving

Both men have been handed driving bans for speeding.

In 2001, Evans was banned from the road for 56 days for driving his Ferrari 550 Maranello at 105mph in a 70mph zone in Esher, Surrey.

Clarkson was given a three-month ban by the French authorities in 2013 for driving his Aston Martin Vanquish at 88mph.

Money

Clarkson’s net worth is reportedly #30 million. He earned #14 million after the BBC purchased the commercial rights to Top Gear back in 2012.

But Evans trumps that with a fortune in the region of #50 million. He made a fortune with the sale of his Ginger Media Group.

BBC careers

Evans first worked for the BBC in 1995 when he joined the Radio 1 Breakfast Show. He quit two years later, before returning to Radio 2 in 2005.

Clarkson’s career with the corporation stretches back 27 years to 1988 when he first joined Top Gear. In 2002, Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman re-launched the show in its current format.

Social media

Clarkson has a powerful social media presence with 5.42 million followers on Twitter. Evans lags behind with 1.94 million.

Number of times fired

The pair draw 1-1 for this round. Clarkson was let go from Top Gear in March for punching a producer. Back in 2001, Evans was sacked by Virgin Radio for a "breach of contract" after he failed to turn up for his presenting slot for six consecutive days.

- PA