The Grand Tour Revs Up With New Hosts For 2026

The motoring world is shifting gears as Prime Video’s flagship car show, The Grand Tour, prepares to roar back onto screens in 2026—but this time, it’s without its iconic trio. On February 5, 2026, Amazon and Prime Video confirmed what fans had been speculating for months: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have officially handed over the keys to a new generation of presenters. Taking the wheel are social media sensations Thomas Holland, James Engelsman, and Francis Bourgeois, a trio whose chemistry and credentials promise to drive the beloved series in a fresh direction.

This changing of the guard comes two years after Clarkson, Hammond, and May made their final lap together. Their last outing, the 2024 special titled One For The Road, saw the legendary team embark on a poignant road trip across Africa, with Zimbabwe and Botswana as their final destinations. According to Yahoo UK, the trio’s decision to leave was not taken lightly. Clarkson, reflecting on more than two decades of adventures, remarked, “We’ve done everything you can realistically do with a car and the world has shrunk and that’s the tragedy.” He added, “The world is a much more troubled place than it was 20 years ago. We were very lucky to do what we did, when we did.”

The departure, while bittersweet for fans, was a deliberate move. Hammond told GB News, “The key thing on that whole issue [is] we had decided years ago that we wanted to be in control. Having set off on this incredible adventure that none of us thought would ever come our way, we all wanted to be the ones...to decide when and where and how we landed it, and we have done.” May echoed these sentiments, telling The Standard, “We’d exhausted the subject, we are getting on a bit. I believe it’s time for a new generation to find a new take—I don’t know what it is.”

Enter the new hosts: Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, the Canadian duo behind the wildly popular YouTube channel Throttle House, and Francis Bourgeois, the British trainspotter whose infectious energy and viral videos have made him a social media phenomenon. Throttle House, launched in 2011, has amassed over 3.35 million subscribers with its irreverent, witty car reviews and track challenges. Engelsman, reflecting on the new line-up, joked, “I’ve worked with Thomas for almost a decade making car films. Who knew that all this time, the one ingredient that was missing was a Francis Bourgeois? Let the car adventures commence.” Holland, never one to shy away from a quip, added, “When I first heard they were rebooting The Grand Tour and replacing Clarkson Hammond and May, I said, ‘Only a moron would take that job.’”

Bourgeois, meanwhile, brings a unique blend of humor, technical expertise, and genuine passion for all things mechanical. With nearly six million followers across TikTok and Instagram, he’s perhaps best known for his trainspotting escapades, but he’s also a qualified mechanical engineer with experience at Rolls-Royce. “The saying ‘big shoes to fill’ springs to mind,” Bourgeois confessed. “Well, in this case it’ll be like Mo Farah running in Size 14 wellies—it’ll be a little awkward at first, perhaps blister-inducing but will overall be an interesting watch.”

The new series, produced by Studio Lambert, is set to span six episodes and promises to honor the legacy of its predecessors while boldly venturing into new territory. According to NationalWorld, Holland, Engelsman, and Bourgeois will tackle challenges in far-flung locations including the Angolan desert, Malaysia’s vibrant car culture, and California’s performance car scene. There’s even a planned stop at Didcot Parkway, a nod to Bourgeois’ rail enthusiasm. The trio will be “tackling motoring’s most pressing, and delightfully absurd, questions across some of the world’s most challenging terrains,” according to Prime Video’s official announcement.

The selection process for the new hosts was no small feat. Tara Erer, Head of UK & Northern Europe Originals at Prime Video, emphasized the importance of finding presenters with the right chemistry and vision. “The Grand Tour is Prime Video’s most watched unscripted UK Original series globally, so finding the right successors was no small feat—but we’ve absolutely struck gold. We’re beyond excited to pass the keys to Thomas, James, and Francis, three standout talents who emerged from an extensive search. Each bringing distinctive talents and energy that will propel the series into exciting new territory while capturing the spirit of adventure and camaraderie of this beloved franchise.”

Producer Andy Wilman, who has been with the show since its inception, echoed the excitement: “We are properly happy to hand over the baton to Thomas, James and Francis, because quite simply—they are doing it right. Not only do they have passion and knowledge, but more importantly they are in no way cardboard cutouts of the old three. They have a delightful chemistry that’s all of their own making.” Tim Harcourt, Chief Creative Officer at Studio Lambert, added, “It’s been a delight to find and film a brilliant new trio who take these values across the world from Angola and Malaysia to California and Didcot Parkway.”

The new hosts each bring a distinctive flavor to the show. Holland, an automotive journalist and amateur race car driver, specializes in high-performance vehicles and brings technical insight and a competitive edge. Engelsman, known for his unique taste (famously owning a Toyota Century Limousine built for Japanese royalty), offers an enthusiast’s perspective and sharp wit. Bourgeois, beyond his rail fame, is celebrated for his ability to identify a car’s make solely by the sound of its engine—a party trick that’s sure to impress even the most seasoned petrolheads.

Meanwhile, the original trio are embarking on their own individual journeys. Clarkson has found continued success with Clarkson’s Farm on Prime Video and recently opened The Farmer’s Dog pub in the Cotswolds. Hammond and May, too, are pursuing their own projects, but all three have left an indelible mark on automotive entertainment. Their legacy—spanning from Top Gear’s 2002 launch to a decade of The Grand Tour—is undeniable, but even legends know when it’s time to pass the torch.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 return, fans old and new are left to ponder: Can a new generation of presenters capture the magic that made The Grand Tour a global phenomenon? Only time—and perhaps a few wellies—will tell.