Top Gear: Jenson Button to co-host?

The Daily Mail is reporting that McLaren F1 star Jenson Button is being lined up to co-host the new Top Gear alongside Chris Evans.

It is inevitable that the world and his dog will speculate on who will join Chris Evans on the new Top Gear now we know Messrs Clarkson, Hammond and May won’t be returning.

But today’s rumour – courtesy of the Daily Mail – is that Jenson Button – McLaren F1 driver and all-round nice guy – will be joining the Ginger one when Top Gear returns with a new format in 2016 – probably alongside Jodie Kidd.

On the face of it, the idea seems a bit daft. But is it?

Jenson Button is probably the most-liked driver in F1, has a charm and ease in front of a camera that would translate well to a presenting role on Top Gear, and he is of an age when retirement from F1 must be in his thoughts.

Add to that the commonly held belief that Jenson was kept on at McLaren for another year because McLaren knew they wouldn’t be competitive with a new car with a new Honda engine, and Button’s experience would be key to developing the new car ready for a competitive challenge in 2016. But once the car was competitive, they’d dispose of Jenson.

The Mail claims an announcement is imminent, and if true it could be a very strong route for the Beeb to go with Top Gear co-presented by Evans, Jenson Button and Jodie Kidd.

We’ll see.