What Happened to Richard Mark Hammond?
Richard Hammond is a British television presenter, journalist, and author, widely recognized for his work on motoring shows like 'Top Gear' and 'The Grand Tour'. Following the conclusion of 'The Grand Tour' with its original trio in 2024, Hammond has focused on his classic car restoration business, 'The Smallest Cog', which is featured in his Discovery+ series 'Richard Hammond's Workshop', renewed for further seasons in 2026. He also remains active with the automotive social media platform DriveTribe and recently faced legal proceedings for speeding offenses in late 2025.
Quick Answer
Richard Hammond is currently focused on his classic car restoration business, 'The Smallest Cog', which is the subject of his Discovery+ series 'Richard Hammond's Workshop', renewed for its sixth and seventh seasons in July 2026. He continues his involvement with the automotive platform DriveTribe and recently received fines and penalty points for two speeding offenses committed in December 2025. His marriage to Mindy Hammond ended in January 2025 after 28 years.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in Solihull, England
Richard Mark Hammond was born in Solihull, Warwickshire, England.
Joined Top Gear
Hammond became a co-presenter on the revamped BBC Two motoring programme 'Top Gear' alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Vampire Dragster Crash
While filming a 'Top Gear' segment, Hammond was involved in a high-speed crash in a jet-powered dragster, sustaining a serious brain injury and entering a two-week coma.
Departed from Top Gear
Richard Hammond, along with Jeremy Clarkson and James May, left the BBC's 'Top Gear'.
Launched The Grand Tour and DriveTribe
The trio launched 'The Grand Tour' on Amazon Prime Video and co-founded the automotive social media platform DriveTribe.
Launched Richard Hammond's Workshop
Hammond began hosting 'Richard Hammond's Workshop', a Discovery+ series documenting his classic car restoration business, 'The Smallest Cog'.
Podcast with daughter Izzy
Richard Hammond appeared on 'Lorraine' to discuss teaming up with his daughter Izzy for a new podcast, inspired by his near-death crash.
Final 'Grand Tour' episode with original trio
The last episode of 'The Grand Tour' featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, titled 'One for the Road', was released, ending their 22-year partnership.
Announced separation from wife Mindy
Richard and Mindy Hammond announced their separation after 28 years of marriage, with reports suggesting Mindy initiated the divorce due to the impact of his accidents.
Auctioned cars from personal collection
Hammond auctioned four cars from his personal collection, including a 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2 restored by The Smallest Cog, at the Race Retro sale.
Richard Hammond's Workshop renewed
Discovery+ announced the renewal of 'Richard Hammond's Workshop' for its sixth and seventh series, each consisting of eight episodes.
Fined for speeding offenses
Hammond was fined £1,771 and received seven penalty points on his license at Telford Magistrates' Court for two speeding incidents in December 2025, involving a Porsche and a Bentley.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Richard Mark Hammond, born on December 19, 1969, rose to international prominence as a co-host of the BBC Two motoring program 'Top Gear' from 2002 to 2015, alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. His engaging personality and automotive expertise, combined with the trio's dynamic chemistry, propelled the show to massive global viewership. A significant turning point in his career, and personal life, occurred in September 2006 when he survived a high-speed dragster crash while filming for 'Top Gear', sustaining a severe brain injury and spending two weeks in a coma. He made a remarkable recovery, which he later documented in his autobiography.
Following Jeremy Clarkson's departure from 'Top Gear' in 2015, Hammond and May also left the BBC, and the trio reunited to launch 'The Grand Tour' on Amazon Prime Video in 2016. This venture continued their ambitious automotive adventures, expanding their global reach. Concurrently, in 2016, Hammond co-founded DriveTribe, an automotive social media platform that has since evolved into a significant online automotive channel. The original format of 'The Grand Tour' with Clarkson, Hammond, and May concluded in September 2024 with a final special titled 'One for the Road', marking the end of their 22-year on-screen partnership.
Since 2021, Hammond has also been the host of 'Richard Hammond's Workshop', a Discovery+ series that chronicles his efforts to establish and run a classic car restoration business called 'The Smallest Cog' in Herefordshire. This venture reflects his deep passion for cars and engineering, moving from presenting to hands-on business ownership. In a significant personal development, Richard and Mindy Hammond announced their separation in January 2025 after 28 years of marriage, with Mindy reportedly initiating the divorce due to the lasting impact of Richard's past accidents. They share two daughters, Isabella and Willow, and continue to co-parent.
As of August 2026, Richard Hammond remains actively involved with 'The Smallest Cog', with 'Richard Hammond's Workshop' being renewed for its sixth and seventh series, each comprising eight episodes, set to air on Discovery+ in the UK. He also continues to contribute to DriveTribe, often featuring his daughter Izzy in content. In February 2026, he auctioned four cars from his personal collection at the Race Retro sale, including a 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2 restored by The Smallest Cog. Most recently, in July 2026, Hammond was fined £1,771 and received seven penalty points on his license at Telford Magistrates' Court for two speeding offenses committed in December 2025, involving a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and a Bentley Continental GT. The Grand Tour, without the original trio, confirmed new hosts in February 2026 and is set to premiere a new series in September 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Richard Mark Hammond made different choices?