Three new presenters—YouTubers James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, alongside social media personality Francis Bourgeois—have taken the helm of Amazon Prime Video's motoring series, which launched on 4 September 2026. The trio face the considerable challenge of stepping into shoes left by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, whose two-decade partnership defined both Top Gear and The Grand Tour as cultural phenomena.
Initial critical reception has been mixed, with reviewers questioning whether the show's format can thrive without the outsized personalities of its predecessors. Yet the new hosts remain determined to prove doubters wrong.
The Weight of Legacy
For more than twenty years, the motoring genre became inseparable from Clarkson, Hammond and May. Their on-screen chemistry and distinctive personalities transformed what could have been a straightforward automotive programme into one of television's most recognisable partnerships. This history means anyone assuming their roles inherits both enormous expectations and considerable scepticism from viewers.
The new presenters themselves grew up watching the original trio and understand the emotional investment fans have in the show.
They literally changed the car world,Holland observes of his predecessors. He acknowledges that longtime viewers have legitimate reasons to question whether The Grand Tour should continue under new leadership.
They're completely justified to feel that, because they did the same thing that we did - which is grow up watching Clarkson, Hammond and May. The show was a very important part of our lives as car enthusiasts.
Engelsman and Holland already possessed an established working relationship as presenters of Throttle House, a motoring YouTube channel with more than three million rs. This foundation meant they arrived with existing on-camera chemistry, but finding a suitable third member proved more complex.
An Unexpected Addition
The search eventually led producers to Francis Bourgeois, a social media personality with over two million Instagram followers who built his initial fame through enthusiastic trainspotting content rather than automotive expertise. Prime Video's official announcement described Bourgeois as a "celebrated trainspotter and secret petrolhead," signalling that his passion for transport extended well beyond railways.
Engelsman recalls that after chemistry testing with multiple candidates, Bourgeois immediately distinguished himself.
As soon as Francis showed up, we were like: 'That guy',Holland remembers. Bourgeois recounts their first meeting occurring on a leather sofa in a hotel outside Basingstoke, where conversation centred on the cars they each owned. By the time filming commenced, Holland notes that the three-person dynamic required no deliberate construction.
It just worked and clicked immediately.
Growing up near Willesden Junction in London, Bourgeois developed his love of cars alongside his passion for trains.
There was a particular Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 that was outside my parents' flat window and I just loved it,he explains.
I suppose with my social media, I'm just showing one of my passions and I have really wanted to let out that car enthusiasm too. It's nice that these two sides of my very strong passions are in harmony together and it's been a real pleasure to drive some of the cars on The Grand Tour.
The Path to Confirmation
Discovering they had secured the role proved far less straightforward than the chemistry itself. Engelsman describes the process as
the most gradual thing,with no single moment when they received formal notification. He and Holland initially believed they were participating in a broader audition process, only to find themselves repeatedly invited into writers' rooms and consulted on show concepts. For Bourgeois, this prolonged uncertainty may have been beneficial, as he admits he would
just fall apart and start cryinghad he learned of his selection all at once.
Critical Reception and Generational Shift
All three presenters built their public profiles through social media, representing a clear generational departure from their predecessors. This transition has generated divided critical responses. A national publication's three-star assessment characterised the reboot as
all rather safeand described the presenters as feeling
stilted.Another major outlet concurred, labelling the trio a
decent, if slightly anonymous, presencewho appear
quite meek and pleasant, and without any obvious dynamic.However, the same review singled out Bourgeois for praise, calling him
the most enthusiastic enthusiast currently working on planet Earth.
The Financial Times also awarded three stars, noting that while the production's substantial budget creates visually engaging spectacles, they feel
a little muted.The publication raised a fundamental question:
whether a series that has been driven by big personalities like Clarkson, May and Hammond can survive with a new team.
Support from Predecessors
Richard Hammond has already viewed the new series and offered encouragement.
That's the most important thing for them is to make their show. We made our show and we're really good at being us. They're going to be really good at being them,he told a national broadcaster. Hammond urged audiences to
give them the chanceto establish themselves.
When the new trio met their predecessors, Bourgeois experienced an emotional moment seeing Clarkson in person. The pair bonded over trains before expanding their conversation to power stations and cheeseburgers—a discussion Bourgeois now hopes might inspire a dedicated episode. Engelsman reports that all three former presenters demonstrated support, describing their approach as
very paternal and caring about it.
They all seemed quite excited for there to be a new iteration,he adds, noting that Clarkson even assured them:
We'll look after you.
Bourgeois's enthusiasm for transport has already influenced his co-presenters, who describe becoming
very educated by Francis on many things during long walks and long drives.
The New Series and What Comes Next
The six-episode season features filming locations across Angola, Malaysia and California, with former hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May appearing in guest cameos throughout the new season. All episodes became available simultaneously on Prime Video following the 4 September 2026 premiere.
Bourgeois remains optimistic despite the mixed reviews.
We've done our absolute best and the critics will be critics and I hope that we will prove them wrong.Holland similarly encourages viewers to form their own judgement.
Have a watch and if you don't like it, you're well within your rights, I can't force anyone to like anything.Engelsman reflects on the team's own initial doubts, noting that
we've had all the same reactions that the audience has had to every part of this process like, 'Who would do that? What an idiot.' We've been through it all and we're just lucky enough to have come out the other side and realised, 'OK, this is actually all stuff that could work.'
