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Jeremy Clarkson is trying to overtake his old bosses at the BBC in a race to secure the best Stig.

Clarkson will go nose-to-nose with Chris Evans’ new-look Top Gear in the battle to snap up the right man – or woman – for the role.

Those in the frame for his show on Amazon Prime include ex-F1 racer Mark Webber, 38, and former world champ Jenson Button, 35 – but both have also been linked with the rival BBC2 show.

Top Gear host Chris Evans, 48, is known to be keen to consider a female Stig, with German Sabine Schmitz, 46, among possible contenders.

(Image: BBC)

But Williams test driver Susie Wolff, 32, another girl racer in Evans’ sights, is also on the grid for Clarkson. A source warned: “Stand by for fireworks as the shows battle over the same drivers.” Clarkson, 55, dreamed up the famously unknown persona of The Stig to put supercars through their paces, using a nickname given to new boys at his old public school.

But when BBC Worldwide snapped up Top Gear in 2012, buying Clarkson’s share for £8million, they got all rights to The Stig.

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Clarkson and co-hosts James May, 52, and Richard Hammond, 45, are desperate to sign their own ace test driver for next year after their reputed £160million Amazon deal. Executive producer Andy Wilman, who also quit Top Gear, said: “The three lads can drive properly and fast and will do so. But we do need a new character.”

But he said the team have ruled out hiring one of the old Stigs such as Ben Collins or Perry McCarthy.

An insider on Evans’ new-look Top Gear confirmed: “The Stig will feature in some way. He’s popular and has his own fan base.”