James May has suggested that he, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond would have quit Top Gear after a final 3-year deal before Clarkson was axed from the show.

The presenter made the claim in his review of the £208,090 Ferrari 458 Speciale in The Sunday Times.

Ellis O'Brien

Explaining why he was planning such an extravagant purchase, May said: "There we were, all three of us, on the brink of a new three-year contract to make Top Gear, after which we would definitely chuck it in with dignity and hand the reins to a new generation, assuming we were still alive.

"There were a few details to resolve about time frames and other mundane stuff, but the groaning draft version of this document was actually sitting on my desk."

Earlier in the piece, May denied rumours that he, Clarkson and Hammond already have a new show lined up for another broadcaster after they were photographed together and executive producer Andy Wilman resigned from Top Gear.

"Nobody yet knows what is going to happen in the future of Top Gear or its three former presenters," he said.

"That is the honest truth, despite what you may have read elsewhere.

"No-one has even arrived at a definitive pronunciation of 'fracas' yet, so what chance is there that we'd have rescued our careers?"

May added that he, Clarkson and Hammond may be reunited, or go separate ways, or disappear from TV.

"Whatever we do, it will be scrutinised ruthlessly," he continued.

"Our fans feel betrayed and believe a spell has been broken. Our foes are rejoicing at the banality of our demise.

"If there's a hint of mediocrity in any future endeavour, both parties will feel vindicated.



"Even if Top Gear is revived in a new format with new hosts and isn't as successful as it once was, that'll be our fault. And if it's better, then we were overdue for retirement anyway."

May added: "I accept that this is a bit of a hashtag firstworldproblem, but I'm finding it quite difficult to handle.

"Humility is the key, I think, to coming out of this well."

The presenter has ruled out carrying on the show after Clarkson was axed following an inquiry when he verbally and physically abused a producer.

After Clarkson's suspension but before it was decided not to renew his contract, May said of the altercation: ""I think he's been involved in a dust-up, and I don't think it's that serious."

Wullie Marr/EMPICS Entertainment



Ken MacQuarrie's BBC investigation into the incident found that producer Oisin Tymon was the subject of a 30-second physical attack resulting in swelling and bleeding of the lip.

Clarkson also threatened to sack Tymon in an expletive-filled tirade so loud it was heard in a hotel bedroom.

Tymon believed he had lost his job and drove himself to a nearby A&E department.

Clarkson later got in touch by text, email and in person to apologise, and the incident was later reported to the BBC by Clarkson himself.

Hammond has also appeared to rule out a role in a show without Clarkson or May, saying that while there was no Top Gear to quit, he was "not about to quit my mates anyway."

The BBC has confirmed that it will air footage from the final three episodes shot for Top Gear before Clarkson's dismissal.

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