The Grand Tour, the iconic automotive entertainment program, is coming to an end after many years of global success. This show, which has left its mark on generations of car enthusiasts, is based on the unique collaboration of three iconic presenters: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. Today, the engines are stopping, and it is time to reflect on an unparalleled legacy.
An adventure born from Top Gear
The history of The Grand Tour is intrinsically linked to that of Top Gear, the BBC’s flagship show which reached its peak under the direction of the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. This programme was not just a motoring magazine. With Clarkson’s acerbic humour, Hammond’s energy and May’s wisdom, Top Gear quickly spread beyond the UK, attracting a global audience.
The concept of the show was simple but innovative: test cars, while integrating absurd challenges, memorable road trips and often hilarious interactions between the three presenters. But beyond the cars, it was above all their authentic complicity that captured the attention. This alchemy, combined with daring sequences, allowed them to conquer a much wider audience than just car enthusiasts.
The end of an automotive epic
The end of The Grand Tour doesn’t come as a complete surprise, but it does mark the end of an era. Since 2016, the Amazon Prime-produced show had taken over from Top Gear, after Jeremy Clarkson was fired from the BBC following an incident in 2015. Despite this turning point, the team’s irreverent spirit remained intact in The Grand Tour.
Yet, as the years passed, it became evident that the trio was getting older and the spark was slowly fading. Filming was becoming more complicated, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, and Clarkson himself admitted it was time to stop, acknowledging the difficulty of coming up with new ideas after more than two decades of pushing the boundaries.
An unforgettable legacy
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have made history in automotive entertainment. Their legendary road trips, such as the one in Botswana in 2007 or their dangerous escapades in the United States, will remain etched in our memories. More than just a show, The Grand Tour and Top Gear have skillfully blended entertainment and automotive criticism, while offering moments of reflection, often peppered with a dry humour specific to British culture.
Now it’s time to say goodbye. The final episode of The Grand Tour, titled “One Last One for the Road,” is a symbolic tribute to their greatest adventures. Returning to Africa, the continent where they experienced some of their greatest moments, was a fitting way to come full circle. The majestic images of Zimbabwe and Botswana, combined with palpable emotion, convey the sadness of this inevitable end.
And then what happens to our heroes?
While The Grand Tour chapter may now be closed, it doesn’t mean the end of Clarkson, Hammond and May’s careers. Jeremy Clarkson has already found a new path with his hit show Clarkson’s Farm, which chronicles his life as a farmer in England. This unexpected but terribly popular reconversion proves that Clarkson, despite her age, continues to captivate the crowds.
As for Hammond and May, they are also continuing their personal projects, but their three-way collaboration seems to be well and truly over. With this page turned, they will leave behind a lasting legacy, inspiring other automotive shows, while having redefined what automotive entertainment on television truly means.