Top Gear Should've Stopped After Hammond's Crash, Says Former Producer

Andy Wilman, the former Top Gear producer, is basically saying the show should have hit the brakes after Richard Hammond’s crash, not just kept rolling. In his own words, the moment was a “real wake-up call,” and it raised a question he still can’t shake: what are they doing, and what’s the point if nobody’s thinking about blame?

Here’s the complicated part, Hammond’s 2006 accident left him in a two-week coma and he needed five weeks in the hospital. Wilman described a post-crash conversation with Jeremy Clarkson, then zoomed out to the bigger fear the team carried, the kind that shows up when you start imagining Hammond’s family, then look at the traffic, then realize the whole thing could go wrong again.

And once you hear Wilman’s “should we be bothered with this?” moment, it makes the whole high-speed TV gamble feel a lot less like entertainment and a lot more like a ticking clock.

It might be "time to end" the program

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Wilman’s “real wake-up call” line lands harder when you remember Hammond’s crash was the one that put him into a two-week coma.

Wilman continued: "You're like, we've done everything, so you're not thinking about who's to blame or anything like that because everything was in place. But you just think he's got a wife and two children; what are we doing?

That fear was for him and the helplessness, obviously, because they won't tell you anymore; on their part, they don't give you any detail. And you start thinking in traffic, and you're panicking, and you're thinking, what's the point of what we do?

What is the point?" Wilman also referred to a discussion he had with Jeremy Clarkson following the incident: "We did have a good chat afterwards, me and Jeremy, like, God, should we be bothered with this?"

The recent comments from former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman underline the urgent need for a reevaluation of safety measures in high-octane television productions. Wilman described Richard Hammond's crash as a "real wake-up call" for the show, suggesting that the incident should have prompted a serious reassessment of safety protocols. The alarming frequency of accidents during filming raises significant concerns about the adequacy of current risk assessments for productions that involve high-speed vehicles. It is crucial that stringent safety measures be put in place, including thorough training for both crew and talent, as well as rigorous vehicle testing and immediate medical readiness on-site. Implementing these practices not only serves to protect all participants but also bolsters the credibility of the production and maintains viewer trust, which can be easily eroded by incidents like Hammond's crash.

In 2006, while filming Top Gear, Hammond was involved in a serious crash

The crash left him in a two-week coma and required a five-week hospital stay. Wilman, in another conversation, shared how the team had deliberately designed their office to be unwelcoming, aiming to deter any unwanted attention from executives.

He explained, "I think we used to make the place a bit horrible because I wanted to be left alone from execs." This approach gave them the freedom to work autonomously. "Luckily, it was good stuff," said Wilman.

DRIVETRIBE

Then there’s the awkward follow-up, Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson talking about whether the show should even keep going after that wreck.

This research about a personality trait that could keep your brain youthful for years is a totally different kind of “keep going” debate.

The pressure gets even stranger when Wilman hints the team expected executives to move on, while the fear still crept in during filming and traffic.

Wilman also reflected on his long-standing partnership with Jeremy Clarkson, which started during their school days. Wilman described their collaboration as having a unique "synergy," leading to an "organic development" in their shared projects over the years.

Wilman shared, "I went to school with him, though none of this was planned back then." Reflecting on their years of collaboration, he noted, "We do have a synergy, and I think some of that traces back to our school days, no doubt about it.

One of the key elements in all our work has been the organic development of each show."

The producer spoke out after the serious accident involving TV host and former England cricketer Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, 46, who was injured during Top Gear filming at Dunsfold Aerodrome in December 2022. As a result of the crash, the BBC decided to pause the show for the "foreseeable future."

Following the incident, an independent health and safety review of Top Gear was launched. The review concluded that "while BBC Studios had adhered to the necessary BBC policies and industry best practices in producing the show, there were key lessons to be learned that must be strictly applied to any future Top Gear UK productions."

It all ties back to Wilman’s question about what’s the point, especially after the show’s setup was reportedly designed to keep unwanted attention away.

The recent comments from a former Top Gear producer highlight a critical aspect of the show's legacy—its treatment of risk and safety. The notion that thrill-seeking antics can be normalized is troubling, and the show's producers must take this into account as they move forward.

Incorporating educational segments that emphasize safety could significantly alter the narrative. By providing insights into the safety protocols followed during filming and engaging in discussions about the real-life implications of reckless driving, Top Gear could transition from merely entertaining to being a platform that promotes responsibility. This shift would not only enhance viewer engagement but also align the show with the ethical broadcasting standards that many expect from influential media outlets.

The recent reflections from former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman on Richard Hammond's crash underscore a pivotal moment for the show's legacy and safety practices. His assertion that the incident served as a "real wake-up call" highlights the urgent need for the entertainment industry, particularly in high-octane automotive programming, to recalibrate its approach to risk management.

Wilman's comments suggest that the allure of thrilling content should not overshadow the fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety of cast and crew. This incident raises critical questions about how shows like Top Gear can evolve to integrate rigorous safety measures while still delivering the excitement that audiences crave. It may be time for producers to take a hard look at their protocols and the message they send to viewers regarding risk and responsibility.

Top Gear might have been built for speed, but Hammond’s crash is the moment it should have slowed down for good.

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