Fans' fears are growing over the relaunch of BBC flagship show Top Gear amid fresh claims that Corporation bosses are meddling in the development of the new series.

Pre-production of the motoring show, which will be fronted by presenter Chris Evans, has been hit by a string of major setbacks and high-profile resignations months before its scheduled debut.

It comes as former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May prepare to launch their rival motoring show on Amazon Prime, the retailer's video on-demand service.

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Problems in pre-production: New Top Gear host Chris Evans, left, drinks coffee as his stunt double, right, walks towards the car during filming. The BBC motoring show has been hit by a string of major setbacks

'Meddling': BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw, left, said she was 'terrified' about Evans, right, taking the lead

Among the difficulties plaguing the motoring show are:

Claims BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw is 'meddling' in the programme's development

The departure of key backroom staff, including executive producer Lisa Clark

The introduction of a new production team who 'don't know anything about cars'

A luke-warm reaction to the new presenters, with fears they are not well-enough known

Host Chris Evans reportedly crashing a luxury Jaguar his first time around the track

Corporation bosses had their reservations about Evans from the outset, with BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw saying in August she was 'terrified' at the thought of the presenter taking the lead.

The BBC chief, who is known for her direct approach, said she was 'so excited about the new series' but admitted 'you don't quite know what is going to happen next'.

Evans will be joined by former F1 driver David Coulthard, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz and motoring journalist Chris Harris when the programme launches next May.

But questions have been raised over whether Schmitz and Harris are well-enough known to add to the show's appeal. Other changes for the series include the track being 'super-sized'.

Host: Evans during recording of TFI Friday today

The new track might prove to be too much for Evans, who is said to have crashed a luxury Jaguar when he took his first spin around the course at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

Evans, who also presents the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, is also struggling with the amount of control he is being given over the show, sources claim.

An insider claimed to the Sun that Ms Shillinglaw has been reluctant to give Evans and his team the same free reign enjoyed by Clarkson, who failed to have his BBC contract renewed following a high-profile fracas with a show producer.

The source claimed the BBC chief had a 'reputation as a meddler', adding 'the show has had to become a lot more PC following the Clarkson row.

'There is less leeway to do out-there stuff and Kim has become a bit of a nightmare.'

There has also been trouble for the programme's overworked host, with Evans announcing earlier this month that he was stepping down from TFI Friday in order to throw his efforts into Top Gear.

A source confirmed there were 'no plans' for the Channel 4 show to return for another season.

Evans has been pre-recording segments and admitted in a recent magazine column that he had worked for 26 hours in a row covering his BBC Radio 2 show, TFI Friday and Top Gear.

Meanwhile, the show has also been hit by the departure of two key backroom staff.

Executive producer Lisa Clark, who Evans personally brought in to lead its revamp, announced last week she is quitting the show after just five months.

She was hired following the departure of Andy Wilman, who left the BBC following close friend Clarkson's departure and will join the old Top Gear line-up on their new Amazon motoring show.

Script editor Tom Ford has also resigned from his role.

Rivals: Former Top Gear hosts James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard May will present a show on Amazon

Departing Ms Clark, who previously worked alongside Evans as a producer on The Big Breakfast, said in a statement she was moving to new projects.

Losing the knowledgeable production team behind the show has also caused teething troubles.

A source told the Sunday Times earlier this month: 'They've brought in a production team that doesn't know anything about cars.

'Writers from Top Gear magazine have had to be called over to suggest ideas and offer advice on what cars to film.'

A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: 'This is all gossip and speculation and we don’t comment on such nonsense.'