Richard Hammond seems unusually tired and preoccupied. He admits he’s 55 and acknowledges that life brings changes, especially at this age. Usually full of energy and known from shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, he appears to be struggling with a sadness that’s understandable considering the difficult year he’s had.
It was a difficult time for Richard Hammond, starting with the end of his popular show, The Grand Tour, and his long-running partnership with James May and Jeremy Clarkson. He described the show’s finale as a significant loss. Shortly after, he lost his father, Alan, to cancer at age 80. Hammond was very close to his father and said he loved him deeply.
Early in January, Richard and Mindy Hammond announced they were divorcing after 23 years of marriage. In the first episode of his new show, *Richard Hammond’s Workshop* – which follows his challenges with a classic car restoration business – Hammond addressed the news directly. He explained, ‘I want to be upfront about things. I recently got divorced, and now I live here.’
Richard once lived in Bollitree Castle, a large, historic home in Herefordshire, with his partner Mindy. Now, he’s living in a rented farmhouse in the countryside. While the interior is fairly plain, like a standard hotel room, the property boasts beautiful views and a classic dove-grey Jaguar parked outside. Richard explains he enjoys the new place because of the views, the space to store his vehicles, and its proximity to his workshop. However, he quickly adds that he’s trying to stay positive, acknowledging that the last few years have been difficult, but not without some good aspects.
Richard looked stylish as always when we met at a west London hotel, wearing cream chinos, a white shirt, and a light blue jacket. However, he seemed tired, with noticeable bags under his eyes, and his goatee had grown flecked with gray.
I understood his confused state as a sign of sadness, as I’d recently lost my own father. We offered each other sympathy, shook hands, and shared a quiet moment. Richard, though, was determined to stay optimistic. He explained that he’d always believed – and this wasn’t something a therapist told him, but his own conclusion – that events don’t truly affect you until you *react* to them. It’s your reaction, he insisted, that gives them meaning, and you always have a choice in how you respond – even when facing something as difficult as a brain injury and its recovery.
Many Top Gear viewers recall Richard Hammond’s serious crash while driving a jet-powered dragster in 2006. He was in a coma for two weeks and sustained brain injuries that impacted his memory and emotional state. Although his recovery took a long time, he eventually returned to work and shared his story. He explained that he chose to turn the experience into something positive, writing a book that reached and helped millions of people, and that’s what he continues to do.
He explains that no matter what life throws at us, we always have a choice in how we respond. He admits it’s not always possible to choose your reaction *during* a difficult moment – like when he was in a car traveling 320mph – but it *is* possible to choose how you react *after* the initial event. He says the key is to decide to have a positive reaction, and that’s what he tries to do.
He’s drawing a parallel between the difficult year he’s had and a car accident. Some people close to the family have been telling reporters – but not on the record – that the divorce was entirely Mindy’s decision and no one else was involved. It seems he’s presenting the situation as something that *happened* to him, rather than acknowledging his role in it. Is that an accurate portrayal? Richard pauses, then responds carefully. ‘Regarding that, it was a decision we both made, as we explained in our previous statement, and that statement remains true.’
Back in January, the couple announced they were separating after 28 years of marriage and raising two daughters. They emphasized that they remain friends and will continue to be a part of each other’s lives, and they’re proud of the family they built together.
Okay, so I’ve been following everything, and I just *had* to know what he’s like now, eight months later. Apparently, he’s still the same – totally unfazed! He basically said it’s like he said on the show: ‘It happened, now I’m moving on.’ Can you believe it?! I immediately asked if he’d ever consider dating again, and he *winced*! He sucked in his breath and said he honestly doesn’t have time. He’s finishing up filming a series, and then, and only then, will he even *think* about it. Honestly, it’s just… everything about him is perfect, even the way he avoids the question! I’m dying!
Richard Hammond’s Workshop showcases The Smallest Cog, his Hereford-based garage where he and his team restore classic cars. In the latest series, they tackle a particularly challenging project: a Mercedes that was severely damaged by flooding, brought in by TV personality Debbie McGee, the widow of magician Paul Daniels. The team successfully brings the car back to life with their expert skills.
I’ve been following this company’s journey through all four seasons, and honestly, it’s been a real struggle for them. They’ve faced constant challenges – it’s been incredibly tough at times. The owner admits it’s partly down to his own inexperience with managing the business, but also the current economic climate. It’s just a difficult time to be investing in restoring classic cars when everyone is worried about the rising cost of everything.
Did he lose money? Absolutely, a lot of it. About half a million pounds, actually. He also sold many of his cars and motorcycles when he started to afford the necessary equipment – things like a Lotus Esprit, a Bentley, a classic Porsche 911, a Honda Gold Wing, and a Kawasaki Z900, among others. These vehicles alone were worth at least two hundred thousand pounds. Did he ever regret starting the business? Yes, he says he often wondered if it would work, sometimes even weekly.
Considering he’s made so much money from television, you’d think he could handle a financial setback. But Richard explains, ‘I don’t have unlimited funds. I work for everything I earn and I’m not willing to waste it. Plus, this affects real people’s livelihoods – it’s not something to be taken lightly.’
I’ve been following Richard Hammond for years, and this new show feels different. Everyone’s drawing comparisons to ‘Clarkson’s Farm,’ but for Richard, it’s clearly more than just another TV project. He’s told how his grandfather was a skilled craftsman – starting with woodworking and then moving into building and repairing vehicles in Birmingham. Richard always admired that ability and dreamed of having his own workshop, a place where he could really get his hands dirty and properly immerse himself in the world of making things. It’s a really personal journey for him, and you can feel that passion coming through.
He was particularly proud of buying a classic, handmade Morgan 44 Sport in British Racing Green as a gift for his father. His father absolutely loved it, and his parents even drove the car on vacation to France and Italy.
Richard’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke about Alan, who faced a serious illness with incredible dignity. He described Alan as consistently gentle and kind, even during his suffering. Watching him handle it was profoundly moving, and Richard felt Alan transformed a difficult experience into something beautiful. He told Alan how much it meant to him, and to everyone who knew him.
His voice broke as he recalled sitting with his friend during his final days in hospice. They would escape together in their minds, taking imaginary walks around Buttermere in the Lake District, a place they both loved. He’d describe every detail of the walk, and his friend would simply listen and smile. Sometimes they’d picture themselves lying on a moor, listening to the skylarks. He described it as a beautiful experience, marveling at the power of the mind.
Alan passed away in October, but his death wasn’t announced until the new year. Richard explained that he rarely lets work interfere with his personal life, and he took time off when his father died. He admits he sometimes forgets his father is gone, and will instinctively think to tell him something before remembering he can’t. His brothers experience the same feeling. He’s even talked to his father aloud on occasion. Richard believes that people like his father live on through the impact they have on our lives, and feels his father remains a part of his everyday experience because of the lasting connection they shared.
Richard now owns a green Morgan and enjoys racing classic cars, but he’s much more conscious of his responsibilities. He explains, ‘I avoid taking foolish chances. I have two wonderful daughters, and I don’t want them to lose their father.’
Izzy is 24 years old and the elder of my children. I fondly remember taking her on motorcycle rides when she was around ten. We had headsets built into our helmets, which was a great way to connect. It allowed us to talk freely because we weren’t focused on making eye contact, and the conversations could go in any direction.
After graduating from Bristol University in 2023, she’s quickly become a rising star in car journalism. She currently co-hosts a podcast with her father and contributes to various other media outlets. Her father proudly notes she’s built her career through her own efforts, and he’s now at a point where he happily supports her from the sidelines. He envisions a future where he simply provides support, like bringing lunch to the set, for both of his daughters, recognizing their independence and success.
His youngest child is 22 years old. His daughter, Willow, loves horses and is currently very focused on her art, which he’s happy about. She prefers not to be filmed, though she’s naturally funny on camera, as are all his children because they’ve been around filming their whole lives.
Honestly, becoming a dad to daughters has really shifted my perspective on women. Growing up as the oldest of three brothers and working in traditionally male fields, I hadn’t always fully appreciated the barriers women face. But seeing the world through their eyes, and witnessing how things are *slowly* changing for them, has been incredibly impactful. I’m glad those worlds are finally starting to open up for women, and it’s made me think a lot about things.
Top Gear and The Grand Tour were often seen as shows for men, but he disagrees with that perception. He argues they weren’t simply ‘blokey,’ but actually more considerate. He clarifies that while he identifies as a man, there’s nothing inherently negative about that. Being a man doesn’t mean someone can’t also be inclusive, approachable, or accepting.
People are curious if Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are still friends. I talked to both Richard and James this week, and despite what people might think, we definitely aren’t enemies. You can’t spend that much time with someone if you truly hated them – someone would have snapped!
So, are they definitely broken up? He confirmed it, but sounded unsure. He said they both agreed to end things, acknowledging they were getting older. However, he left the door slightly open, saying anything could happen in the future and there are currently no plans to get back together.
He’s experienced a lot of loss recently, so starting a new book series feels good. “It feels like that time of year,” Richard explains. “Autumn can be sad and foggy, but this morning was bright and clear, and I feel hopeful with the new school year.” He’s always enjoyed September, seeing it as a fresh beginning.
Richard Hammond’s Workshop returns on 6 October on Discovery+.
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2025-09-26 18:53