Jeremy Clarkson has given his blessing to the new hosts of The Grand Tour — but not without a characteristically blunt warning. The new era of the Prime Video motoring show begins on September 4, with social media stars Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland, and James Engelsman taking over from Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.
In the first episode, the new hosts visit Clarkson at Diddly Squat Farm, where he tells them: "Listen, guys. Seriously, have fun with this. Good luck. Don't f* it up."
Despite the salty advice, Clarkson has been impressed by what he's seen from the new lineup. "I've got to be honest with you, I've actually been watching what they've been up to for the past year and a half, and they're very, very good," he said. "You're going to love it."
The feeling is mutual. Executive producer Andy Wilman, who created The Grand Tour with Clarkson, said the new hosts wanted to celebrate their predecessors' work. Wilman told The Sun that Clarkson's endorsement was conditional: "Jeremy said he'd 'only endorse them as long as I like them'. So he watches the tapes and he's like, 'Yes, I really like them. I'm happy to endorse.' There's no way he'd endorse someone for a show he helped to create if he didn't like them."
Wilman also revealed that Clarkson, Hammond, and May will make cameo appearances throughout the new series. In the first episode, the trio's famous giant tent — now sitting in the grounds of Clarkson's Farmer's Dog pub — becomes the subject of a playful exchange, with the new hosts asking for it back and Clarkson jokingly rejecting the request.
Wilman, who previously criticized the BBC for acting as though the original trio "ever existed" after they left Top Gear, said the new hosts' knowledge of cars played a big part in their selection. During the recruitment process, Clarkson insisted every candidate be quizzed on their automotive knowledge.
The new hosts bring their own credentials. Francis Bourgeois, 26, is known for his trainspotting TikTok videos and as a boy filled notebooks with car names. Thomas Holland and James Engelsman host the popular YouTube channel Throttle House. Engelsman recalled that James May told Bourgeois he had "out-nerded" him, and the trio's dynamic has been described by Holland as "wholesome" — though they do give each other a hard time. Engelsman admitted it was hard to make Bourgeois laugh, and during a screen test, Bourgeois wore high heels while reversing a trailer into a bay.
The six-episode series promises everything fans loved about the original: "big adventures, questionable car choices, and plenty of laughs." That includes driving through the Angolan desert in track cars, exploring Malaysia's vibrant car culture, testing cutting-edge performance cars in California, and challenging fighter pilots and an entire nation's legal system.
All six episodes of the new Grand Tour will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting September 4.