I agree Clarkson insulted people, among other things, and he got away with it. He had too big an ego. But at the same time he had the talent to uplift a programme in all aspects.
The new series, yes they didn't have time to become true friends like the old trio, the new presenters have to pretend a lot to show that they know each other. But why do they copy the old trio? For example, there was a short, tiny guy in the old trio, Hammond. Can we say the same about Chris Hariss? Chris is a stocky heavy guy. Then the accident prone character, again Hammond. He destroyed numerous cars, was in the hospital, and we know that. The new trio is trying to copy that too. That cricketer was in accidents like that? I don't think so.
They should find their own humour, own bantering.