Revamped show has been hit with controversy over new presenting team, as well as backstage departures

He had been taking a spin with co-star Sabine Schmitz when he was forced to halt filming and was seen bent over, apparently feeling ill

Life has not gone smoothly for Chris Evans since he took over the steering wheel of the revamped version of Top Gear.

Despite not being on screen until May, the show has already been hit by controversy over its 'unknown' new presenters, high-profile backstage departures and reports suggesting it may not be ready for its relaunch in May.

But it seems that the BBC motoring show is now making the 49-year-old presenter sick, as he was spotted getting out of his sports car to vomit while filming at the Mazda Raceway track in Monterey, California earlier this month.

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In a spin: it seems that Chris Evans was left feeling slightly worse for wear during filming for the BBC motoring show, after taking a spin with his co-star Sabine Schmitz

The DJ, who has a fleet of super fast cars at home, had been taking a spin with his co-star Sabine Schmitz when he was forced to halt filming as he barreled out of the pair's sports car to vomit.

Having climbed into the lighting-fast Audi R8 V10 as a passenger - with ex-professional racing driver Schmitz behind the wheel - Evans came over all queasy.

Stopping the car and the shoot, Evans flung the passenger door wide-open as he jumped out of the car, before he was seen bending over with his hands on his knees, appearing to retch next to the £134,500 luxury sports car.

In need of a break? Hunched over against a barrier, with his helmet still firmly in place on his head, the wise-cracking DJ was clearly feeling unwell

While it is not known what exactly caused Evans's stomach to become upset, the presenter - who was drafted in to revamp the show's image - was in need of a break, as he shakily made his way off the track.

Hunched over against a barrier, with his helmet still firmly in place on his head, the wise-cracking DJ was clearly feeling unwell.

Flocking to his side, members of the Top Gear crew could be seen talking to him and offering him water as he attempted to regain his composure.

And, appearing to regain his composure like a true professional, Evans removed his helmet and began to talk to the crew as well as Schmitz.

Not one to take something so trivial seriously, the TV favourite was seen sharing a joke with Schmitz about the incident as they chatted about the segment's script.

Evans was named as the show's new presenter last year, following the departure of controversial frontman Jeremy Clarkson.

Driven to upset? On location at the Mazda Raceway track in Monterey, California earlier this month, the 49-year-old DJ and presenter was forced to halt filming as he barreled out of the pair's sports car to vomit

Cut! While it is not known what exactly caused Chris' stomach to become upset, the presenter - who was drafted in to revamp the show's image - was in need of a break, as he shakily made his way off the track

Hitting the break on filming: Chris was left looking a little unsteady on his feet following the episode, and chose to take a perch on a concrete barrier while he caught his breath

Clarkson's BBC contract was not renewed, after what was described as a 'fracas' with the show's producer, Oisin Tymon.

It was revealed that the row, which happened in a Yorkshire hotel, took place because no hot food was provided following a day's filming.

His dismissal prompted a mass walkout as Hammond, May and Andy Wilman, the executive producer and old school friend of Clarkson, all resigned.

Since the incident, Clarkson, May and Hammond have gone on to sign a deal for a new Amazon Prime motor show with a reported budget of £160 million.

But things have not gone as smoothly for Evans and the new team, with the revamped version of the show set to hit screens on May 8.

The BBC has insisted that the show is going ahead as planned, despite reports suggesting the show may not be ready for its launch.

The Metro newspaper had claimed the relaunch 'has stalled', and said it is not known when the next series will be broadcast.

However, the BBC denied suggestions of problems with Evans’s relaunched version of the show.

A spokesman said: 'Filming on Top Gear continues as planned and on schedule.'

Just last week it was reported that racing driver David Coulthard had snubbed a co-presenter role, instead deciding to front Channel 4's Formula One coverage when it starts in March.

Instead, German racing Schmitz and motoring journalist Chris Harris will appear alongside Evans, after the likes of Jodie Kidd, Zoe Ball and Suzi Perry all ruled themselves out.

But questions have been raised over whether Schmitz and Harris are well-enough known to add to the show's appeal.

Executive producer Lisa Clark, who Evans personally brought in to lead its revamp, quit the show before Christmas, and script editor Tom Ford has also resigned.

Ms Clark, who left after just five months of working on the programme, said in a statement she was 'moving on to new projects', and added: 'I’d like to wish production all the very best with the show.'

The BBC issued a statement thanking Ms Clark for her 'incredible work for the last five months readying new Top Gear for its busy filming schedule in 2016 and planned return in May'.

Uh-oh: The DJ appeared to scowl at a spot on the tarmac - presumably where he had just vomitted

Speaking a few days after filming the segment on January 7, Evans admitted Clarkson's sacking had created a 'sort of Armageddon' in the production offices, saying 'everybody had left'.

Referring to his hectic schedule, he went on to say: 'It's a baptism of fire to say the least'.

He added: 'I hope that [camaraderie] will develop but I’d be crazy to think it will happen right away.'

There were also suggestions the show was set to become 'a lot more PC' amid reports BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw was meddling in the development of the new series, and was reluctant to give Evans and his team the same free reign enjoyed by Clarkson.

An insider said the BBC chief had a 'reputation as a meddler', adding 'the show has had to become a lot more PC' following the Clarkson fallout.

Evans, who also presents the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, has struggled to juggle his busy workload and had to stand down from his role on TFI Friday, having admitted in a recent magazine column that he had worked for 26 hours in a row covering all three of his hosting roles.

Back to business? Appearing to regain his composure like a true professional, Chris removed his helmet and walked off his stomach upset

Laugh it off: The new Top gear figure-head laughed off the incident with his co-star and crew members, as they chatted over a copy of the script

The BBC was also forced to deny claims Evans was struggling to master the art of speaking to a camera while behind the wheel.

Amid rumours the show's new production team have limited knowledge of cars and have also been running behind schedule, a source told The Sun: 'Chris is really struggling to master the art of driving and talking to camera, which is crucial.

'He is in a massive sweat about it because he often ends up fluffing his lines.

'The professional drivers are doing a lot more to cover for him and the camera crew are getting frustrated.'

A BBC spokesman dismissed the claims, however, saying: 'This "story" is complete nonsense and the truth is that Top Gear producers have been blown away by how quickly Chris has taken to talking to camera whilst driving at speed, a skill which has taken some presenters a long time to master.'

Take two? Heading back towards the bright red Audi, Chris and Sabine were given a couple of pointers from a member of the crew

Take it easy this time? Chris was seen chatting to Sabine as the pair drove off in the luxury sports car once again