Hamster to front BBC F1 coverage?

Richard Hammond appears to be in pole position to head up the BBC's reported ?200 million coverage of Formula One when the sport returns to the broadcaster next season, after current broadcaster ITV activated a getout clause in its contract with Formula One Administration.

According to Britain's Times newspaper, the diminutive Hammond - or 'Hamster' as he has been affectionately dubbed by his fellow Top Gear presenters - could be poised to fill the role held by Steve Rider in rival ITV's current set-up, with colleagues Jeremy Clarkson and James May also tipped for potential roles in an effort to expand audiences beyond confirmed race fans.

The report claims that coverage will be influenced by the success of Top Gear which, since being revived by Clarkson and co has become something of a cult show. Although primarily focused at road and supercars rather than motorsport, there has been a successful crossover from time to time, notably by putting F1 stars in the show's 'reasonably priced car'.

"When Lewis Hamilton did a test lap on Top Gear, it got more viewers than the Brazilian Grand Prix," director of sport rights Dominic Coles pointed out, "Bernie [Ecclestone] was very impressed with the Top Gear proposition and there will be cross-fertilisation between the show and the races."

While Clarkson and May will be involved in what the BBC promises will be 'a brighter, bolder, faster' presentation - with coverage being made available on broadband and mobile phones as well as television - it is thought that Hammond would front the show, having formed a more personal bond with the potential audience after suffering a high-speed crash while attempting to top 300mph in a jet-powered dragster.

Although his life hung in the balance for weeks, the now 38-year old made a full recovery and is now back on television screens in a variety of roles, having only last week presented the biennial Sport Relief charity marathon.

The report also claims that the BBC is being encouraged to use Fleetwood Mac's The Chain as the theme tune to the coverage, after the piece became synonymous with Formula One.