The trio replacing Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on The Grand Tour understand people might be concerned about the show being revamped – but they’re urging fans to “give it a go”.
When news of Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelman’s casting was announced, long-time fans of the Prime Video show expressed concern about the show continuing into a new era.
Holland – a YouTuber who found success with the motor series Throttle House – told The Independent that, considering the size of the show’s fanbase, “concerns are justified”, but he is asking sceptics to give them a chance.
“The only thing I’d say is, ‘Give it a go.’ You don’t have to like it, but we’re pretty sure you will,” he said.
”We have the same nostalgia,” Holland’s Throttle House co-star Engelsman added. “We have the same rose-tinted glasses. We loved it – we’re huge fans of the show.”
Bourgeois concurred. “I feel like we have gone into it and done the best job we can do.”
Holland admitted to having “a lot of trepidation and fear” stepping into the original hosting trio’s shoes, but said they have been nothing but supportive. Clarkson, Hammond and May will all cameo in the new season.
Bourgeois, who worked for six months as a mechanical engineer at Rolls-Royce, was praised by his co-stars for his skills at simultaneously driving high-speed cars while speaking to the camera.
“James and I are used to that – we’ve been doing that for years on YouTube,” Holland said. “It is a skill, but Francis, for some reason, can do it perfectly. He showed up on the first day – you put him in the car, the camera’s on him, and he gives nuanced and elite explanations for how the car feels.”
Bourgeois originally gained widespread popularity for his infectiously enthusiastic videos about trainspotting, which would often go viral on TikTok and Instagram.
Holland, who is originally from Canada and studied biology, founded Throttle House in 2015 “out of boredom”. The channel initially focused on BMW builds and occasional car reviews, but began to gain momentum when Engelsman joined in 2018.
Engelsman, who is from the UK, became part of Throttle House after suggesting ideas to Holland and asking to be part of his videos. The duo had their first meeting in person at a gathering of Miata car owners.
The Grand Tour races back to screens on Friday (4 September).
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