[Aka]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...nhammond122.xml

Andrew English and Richard Alleyne, Telegraph Wrote:Richard is a bit bashed in but still the irritating guy I love

James May, a friend and colleague of the injured Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, said yesterday he was confident his co-star would make a full recovery after his horrific car crash.

May, who had originally been due to drive the jet-propelled dragster for the BBC2 programme, breathed a sigh of relief after visiting Hammond in hospital.

He said that although Hammond, 36, was a bit "bashed in" and could not talk properly, he remained his normal cocky self.

May, who spent a number of hours with his fellow presenter yesterday, said: "The specialist says he's got substantial head injuries and that's pretty clear when you see him.

"But they're reasonably confident of a recovery. With these sorts of injuries there are days of observations to make before they're absolutely sure."

May, who writes a column for The Daily Telegraph motoring section, said his friend was not a pretty sight and he had been worried that he might lose an eye.

"His eye is a bit bashed in but I was very pleased to hear the doctors say he hadn't got any damage to the lens or the retina and that his sight will be OK," he said.

May, who with Hammond plays a foil to Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear, was at his friend's bedside for several hours.

"He tried to sit up when I came in and he gave me a sort of grin, which I have to say was a very uplifting moment for me," he said. "I had a bit of an unmanly moment at that point.

"I was chuffed to see him and although he's muttering, he seems much like the irritating little s*** I know and love. Even when he can't say much, he seemed to make as much sense as he does when he can talk normally."

May dismissed stories that he stepped down at the last moment to allow Hammond to drive the jet-powered dragster.

"Someone's got hold of a shooting schedule, which was written weeks ago and at that time, I was pencilled in for driving the jet car and Richard was driving a Bugatti Veyron.

Then the jet-car availability dates changed and Richard and I had to do a swap — I was quite annoyed about it at the time. This sort of thing happens all the time, the dates are not set in stone.

"Having seen him today I do believe Richard will make a full recovery from this awful crash and, when he's back on his feet, I'm looking forward to going down to the pub with him."

Clarkson, who also visited Hammond in Leeds General Infirmary, paid tribute to his co-presenter, who is nicknamed "Hamster" because of his small frame.

He said: "Obviously both he and his family are the most important concerns we have. It must be devastating for his wife Mindy and his two utterly adorable children.

"I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him.

"Both James and I are looking forward to getting our Hamster back."

Doctors said Hammond was showing signs of improvement although he remained "serious but stable". But any brain injury gave them "cause for concern".

His father, Alan, who was looking after Hammond's daughters Willow, two, and Isabella, five, in Gloucestershire, expressed fears about the injuries his son received when the record-breaking Vampire dragster veered off the runway and flipped over several times.

He said: "It is a very hard time for both me and my wife. We are just hoping that Richard pulls through. His children are very confused."