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F1 Beyond The Grid

Formula 1

The risk-takers, late-brakers and history-makers of Formula 1 slow down for in-depth interviews. Tom Clarkson brings you revealing, feature-length conversations with drivers, team bosses, engineering experts and F1 legends.

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An official Formula 1 podcast. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to F1 Explains
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  • 437 episodes
  • Updated Tuesday

Episodes437

Newest first
  • Oct 19, 2022 · 49 min

    Nyck De Vries: seizing his 2023 F1 chance

    In September 2022, Nyck De Vries got a golden opportunity. A surprise F1 debut. He knew it was a chance to change his life. His remarkable top 10 finish was just step one of his mission. In an exclusive in-depth interview, Nyck tells Tom Clarkson what he did next: the phone calls, flights, meetings and deals which have made him a 2023 AlphaTauri Formula 1 driver. He explains how advice from his friend Max Verstappen, dinners with an F1 star-maker, a personal approach to negotiations and a decision to move away from Mercedes were so important. With championship-winning speed developed in Formula 2 and Formula E, experience driving several F1 cars and a wealth of racing knowledge to draw on, F1’s newest driver is ready for his next big opportunity. Related episodes Nyck’s 2023 AlphaTauri teammate, Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri Team Principal, Franz Tost Nyck’s fellow Formula 2 champions: George Russell Charles Leclerc Mick Schumacher This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: visit BetterHelp.com/grid today to get 10% off your first month MSC Cruises: book your unforgettable cruise vacation at msccruises.com Liquid IV: get 15% off when you go to liquidiv.com and use code GRID at checkout

  • Oct 12, 2022 · 58 min

    Karun Chandhok: dreams, deals + defying the odds

    Whether he’s behind the wheel of an F1 car or analysing the action for millions on TV, Karun Chandhok is driven by his passion for racing. His love for the sport grew during his childhood in India, and it remains strong despite his frustrating time in F1, where he repeatedly defied the odds. With little money to rely on and few racing opportunities at home, Karun set out on a path which took him to Europe. GP2 wins led to a Red Bull test and a spot on the F1 grid with a brand new team in 2010. Karun tells Tom Clarkson the astonishing story of his Grand Prix debut and the struggle to even start his first race. He reflects on the deals and behind-the-scenes events at Hispania and Lotus which changed the course of his career. He sums up the experience of driving some of F1’s most legendary cars, including the ‘scary’ one, and the one that he feels is ‘a bit too perfect’. Plus, Karun explains how his love for F1 is fuelling his current work as a broadcaster, racetrack design consultant and grassroots motorsport advocate. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE trial at shopify.com/beyondthegrid LinkedIn Jobs: find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRID.

  • Oct 5, 2022 · 54 min

    Mike Elliott: the 2022 ‘mistake’ making Mercedes stronger

    As soon as the 2022 Mercedes F1 car hit the racetrack, the man who oversaw its creation realised it had problems. ‘We made a mistake’, admits Technical Director Mike Elliot. In finding fixes, Mike and his team of engineers have improved Mercedes’ results and learned a lot about themselves. Mike tells Tom Clarkson how they traced the car’s problems to a single design decision, how a year of not winning has helped the people at Mercedes develop, and how he craves a return to the team’s championship-winning form. Looking back, Mike remembers why he chose a career in F1, and the remarkable day two top teams offered him a role. That led him to work in aerodynamics for McLaren, and he recalls a surprising early conversation he had with the team’s young test driver, Lewis Hamilton. McLaren’s former leader Ron Dennis, legendary car designer Adrian Newey, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and George Russell also feature in Mike’s story. He explains how F1 engineering has become ‘more specialised’ and has advice for anyone who aspires to work in F1 car design. More BTG interviews with F1 Technical Directors: AlphaTauri’s Jody Egginton McLaren’s James Key Alpine’s Pat Fry James Allison, former Mercedes TD This episode is sponsored by: ExpressVPN: secure your online activity by visiting ExpressVPN.com/grid TODAY and get an extra three months FREE

  • Sep 28, 2022 · 58 min

    Martin Donnelly: unbroken and unstoppable

    He’s a survivor, who fought back from a crash which could have broken his spirit. Martin Donnelly’s racing career was cut short at the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, when his Lotus left the track and hit a barrier at 160 miles per hour, throwing him from the car. Martin tells Tom Clarkson his memories of that fateful weekend, and the great lengths he went to as he tried to return to racing – including treatment from the doctor who had helped Niki Lauda after the Austrian’s life-changing crash. He reflects on his close friendship with Ayrton Senna, who rushed to the scene that day in Spain, and on his brotherhood with fellow racing drivers like Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert, alongside whom he rose to Formula 1. Support from his father and deals with shrewd team owner Eddie Jordan shaped his career. His time at the top of motorsport was short-lived, his potential never fully realised, but Martin never stopped racing. Related episodes: Eddie Jordan Damon Hill Tommy Byrne Johnny Herbert Derek Warwick This episode is sponsored by: DoorDash: use code GRID for 50% off your first order with DoorDash. Subject to change, terms apply. Emma Sleep: save 5% on top on all offers at www.emma-sleep.co.uk/grid

  • Sep 21, 2022 · 51 min

    Christian Horner: putting Red Bull back on top

    It’s been a dramatic year for Red Bull Racing, from the titanic battle Max Verstappen fought with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes for the 2021 title, to setting up their own power unit arm, before taking a commanding lead in both championships this season – with a flirtation with Porsche thrown in for good measure. Team boss Christian Horner tells host Tom Clarkson all about that incredible 2021 title fight from Red Bull’s perspective, including his thoughts on rival team boss Toto Wolff, and that intense Abu Dhabi season finale. He also reflects on whether Verstappen approaches racing Charles Leclerc differently to how he takes on Hamilton, what he makes of Daniel Ricciardo’s early McLaren exit, and why Red Bull decided now was the right time to set up their own engine division. Plus he reveals what happened to the proposed Porsche partnership, touches on some of the company’s non-F1 projects – including designing a submarine – as well as how it feels to have led the team back to the brink of championship glory once again. Related episodes: Christian Horner in 2021 and 2018 Sergio Perez This episode is sponsored by: Babbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free LinkedIn Jobs: post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRID DoorDash: for a limited time, our listeners can get 50% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code GRID

  • Sep 14, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min

    Timo Glock: ‘game over’, last-lap drama + F1 podiums

    He was part of one of F1’s most dramatic finales, but there’s so much more to Timo Glock’s story than that rain-soaked lap in Brazil. A relative late-comer to racing, he quickly showed speed, made smart sponsorship deals and caught the attention of F1 teams. Timo tells Tom Clarkson about the surprise phone call which led to his points-scoring Grand Prix debut, the disappointment of dropping out of the sport, the moment he felt it was ‘game over’ for his racing career, and an all-or-nothing season which gave him a second chance at F1. With Toyota in 2008 and 2009, Timo scored podiums which proved he was worthy of a race-winning car. He reveals how agonisingly close he came to a career-transforming move in a pivotal period at the end of 2009, only to find himself racing at the back of the grid in 2010. Plus, his friendship with the Schumachers, the moment lawyers decided his F1 future and that final lap in Brazil in 2008: the ‘impossible’ action, the crazy reaction and an unlikely friendship that followed, ten years in the making. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/grid BetterHelp: when you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit betterhelp.com/grid today to get 10% off your first month

  • Sep 7, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min

    Jan Lammers: F1 record-holder, Dutch GP hero

    He’s a Zandvoort ‘beach boy’, who became a local hero in F1. Racing in the Dutch Grand Prix was a dream come true for Jan Lammers, but he struggled to show his speed in Formula 1 and dropped out of the sport after 4 difficult seasons. He was always determined to return to motorsport’s pinnacle and waited a record 10 years for his chance. Jan tells Tom Clarkson about his rise from junior European champion to F1, the impact impatience had on his career, how bad luck repeatedly ruined his best chances of a life changing F1 result, and how a change in attitude and focus on learning helped him take Le Mans victory in 1988 and return to F1 after his decade away. Today, Jan is Sporting Director of his hometown racetrack, Zandvoort, and is working to make the Dutch Grand Prix a spectacular and sustainable event. This episode is sponsored by: MSC Cruises: Explore MSC Cruises world of destinations and book yourself a holiday that’s going to take your breath away from start to finish on msccruises.com ExpressVPN: Secure your online data by visiting ExpressVPN.com/GRID and get an extra three months FREE Door Dash: For a limited time our listeners can get 50% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code GRID

  • Aug 31, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min

    René Arnoux: wheel-to-wheel 'war' with Villeneuve, Lauda + Prost

    He fought one of F1’s all-time greatest duels, was often untouchable in qualifying, and his victories were celebrated by entire nations. René Arnoux spent a decade racing the likes of Gilles Villeneuve, Alain Prost and Niki Lauda. He raced and won for both Renault and Ferrari, leading the Scuderia to a world title in 1983. René passionately and vividly talks Tom Clarkson through his remarkable career, remembering his epic wheel-to-wheel battle with his great friend Villeneuve in 1979, negotiations with Enzo Ferrari, his lost chance to become World Champion and his rivalry with Renault teammate Prost. Arnoux also picks the 2022 F1 driver he thinks is most like himself Related episodes Gilles Villeneuve Remembered Racing for Enzo Ferrari René’s pick of 2022: Lando Norris This episode is sponsored by: LinkedIn Jobs: find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post a job for free at linkedin.com/GRID Dave: download the Dave app from the App store right now. Sign up for an Extra Cash account and get up to 500 dollars instantly. For terms and conditions go to dave.com/legal. Instant transfer fees apply. Banking provided by Evolve. Member FDIC. Santander: Countdown to Zero is a global competition for startups and scaleups to help the motor sport world become more sustainable. And that’s why we are looking for sustainable and innovative proposals that allow us to continue enjoying our passion while respecting the environment. Register your idea on santanderx.com before 8th September.

  • Aug 24, 2022 · 47 min

    Lando Norris: working on winning with McLaren

    He’s an F1 star, and he’s still getting brighter. Lando Norris is on a mission with McLaren, determined to deliver trophies and titles. He’s twice come agonisingly close to his first F1 victory. That is just fuel for his fire. Lando opens up to Tom Clarkson about the races he feels he should have already won, his moments of self-doubt, his ambitions, his attitude to life and work, and how he’s seen by the public and his fans. Lando reveals he sometimes dwells on past frustrations, but his focus is fixed on future glory. He’s honest and illuminating about things he and his team can improve. One day soon, he says, ‘there won’t be any excuses’. Working on winning will ‘make things sweeter… a much cooler story’. As you’ll hear, the hard work has already begun… Have a listen to Lando’s first F1 Beyond The Grid appearance in March 2020 Plus other related interviews from the BTG archive Daniel Ricciardo Carlos Sainz McLaren CEO (and Lando’s golf buddy) Zak Brown This episode is sponsored by: Liquid IV: get 15% off ANYTHING you order when you shop better hydration today using promo code GRID at liquidiv.com BetterHelp: our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/GRID Babbel: receive six months free with a purchase of a 6-month subscription with promo code GRID at babbel.com/play

  • Aug 3, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min

    Beat Zehnder: 30 seasons with 1 team, Leclerc, Vettel, Raikkonen + Kubica

    Since South Africa 1993, Beat Zehnder has not missed a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hungary 2022 was his 538th race weekend, and he’s spent them all with the same team. Once it was known as Sauber, today it’s Alfa Romeo. Before joining Sauber, Beat was a ship engine mechanic. He was kicked out of his first job interview with the Swiss racing team because he had no interest in motorsport. How and why, then, has he spent so long in Formula 1? Beat tells Tom Clarkson incredible stories of the tiny Sauber team’s amazing entry into F1, and its repeated struggles for survival. Schumacher, Frentzen, Raikkonen, Kubica, Vettel and Leclerc are just some of the drivers Beat has worked with, but who does he call ‘the most complete’ of them all? Beat’s love for the sport was shaken at times of tragedy, but his loyalty and love of teamwork have never faltered. This episode is sponsored by: Harry's: make sure to support the podcast and start your own skin care journey, by redeeming a free Harry’s Trial Set at harrys.com/grid. All you cover is £3.95 for delivery and your freebie will be added at checkout ExpressVPN: visit expressvpn.com/grid to get three extra months free

  • Jul 27, 2022 · 50 min

    Mike Krack: Vettel + Massa’s mentor, aiming high at Aston Martin

    He’s the newest member of ‘The Piranha Club’ – the nickname for the ruthlessly competitive group of F1 Team Principals. Aston Martin’s Mike Krack is not a newcomer to F1, however. A former European go-kart racer, Mike earned his engineering stripes with Sauber in the early 2000s, where he moulded and mentored a young Felipe Massa. He witnessed the supreme strength and skill of Robert Kubica, and steered Sebastian Vettel through his Grand Prix debut at BMW in 2007. Vettel and Krack are now back together at Aston Martin, and Mike has illuminating insight into how the four-time champion has developed as a person and as a racing driver. Mike tells Tom Clarkson about his life leading major manufacturers’ racing programs, including the reason he previously walked away from Formula 1. He explains how he’s ‘finding his way’ as boss of the sport’s most ambitious team, charged with fulfilling owner Lawrence Stroll’s aims of challenging for the World Championship. Related episodes from the F1 Beyond The Grid archive: Sebastian Vettel Robert Kubica Lance Stroll Lawrence Stroll Felipe Massa This episode is sponsored by: Babbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free Calm: visit calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library Athletic Greens: get a FREE 1 year supply of immune supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase, just visit athleticgreens.com/f1btg

  • Jul 20, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min

    Marc Surer: surviving tough breaks and tragedy

    When Marc Surer reached Formula 1 in 1979, he was a rising star: the reigning Formula 2 champion from the mountains of Switzerland, surely destined for the summit of F1 success. But two leg-breaking crashes made Marc’s climb steeper and harder. He relives those crashes with Tom Clarkson and remembers his remarkable recovery and return to racing. Amazingly, he scored points for Arrows, and almost made the switch to Ferrari after the death of Gilles Villeneuve. Marc also came close to racing for McLaren after a secret meeting with boss Ron Dennis. Later, he survived a fiery rally crash in which his co-driver was killed. Marc shares stories of racing up mountains as a child in a country where motorsport was banned, working with F1 design genius Gordon Murray, driving brutal turbocharged F1 cars armed with more than 1000 horsepower and wrestling Group B rally cars on snow and ice. This episode is sponsored by: Dave: download the Dave app from the App store right now. Sign up for an Extra Cash account and get up to 500 dollars instantly. For terms and conditions go to dave.com/legal. Instant transfer fees apply. Banking provided by Evolve. Member FDIC Babbel: right now, Babbel is offering our listeners six months free with a purchase of a 6-month subscription with promo code GRID at babbel.com/play BetterHelp: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/grid

  • Jul 13, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min

    Jody Egginton: a journey to AlphaTauri tech boss

    Before he started, as he puts it, ‘playing with racing cars’, Jody Egginton trained as a schoolteacher. His love of motorsport led him to Formula 1, and he worked his way up from Tyrell during the early years of computer-aided design (CAD) to Technical Director at AlphaTauri today. Along the way he helped Force India achieve a stunning result in 2009, fought to keep the brand-new Caterham team afloat in the 2010s and worked with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at the very start of their F1 careers. He’s now driving AlphaTauri’s car development, pushing a team of engineers flat out to give Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda a car which can challenge for 5th in the F1 Constructors’ Championship. Jody tells Tom Clarkson about his approach to learning, communication, problem-solving and leadership, and shares advice for aspiring F1 engineers. Related episodes from the Beyond The Grid archive Pierre Gasly Yuki Tsunoda Franz Tost, AlphaTauri Team Principal James Key, McLaren’s Technical Director John Barnard, legendary F1 technical genius This episode is sponsored by: Calm: go to calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library Hello Fresh: visit hellofresh.com/grid16 and use code grid16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts Babbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free

  • Jul 6, 2022 · 44 min

    David Richards: a leader of legends

    Jenson Button. Jacques Villeneuve. Colin McRae. Sebastian Loeb. The list of elite racing drivers David Richards has led is long and legendary. As an F1 Team Principal in the 2000s, he, Button and the BAR team challenged Ferrari for race wins. David tasted podium champagne, but the bottle never had ‘1st’ printed on it. Not so in the World Rally Championship and at Le Mans, where his teams and drivers have won a multitude of titles. David tells Tom Clarkson the story of his incredible life in motorsport: success in rallying, decades in F1 with Benetton, BAR and Honda, and he remembers the behind the scenes negotiations to bring his own company, Prodrive, onto the grid. Plus, desert racing with Sebastian Loeb, Extreme E with Lewis Hamilton’s team and his ongoing work to make motorsport more inclusive and sustainable as chair of Motorsport UK. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/grid ExpressVPN: visit ExpressVPN.com/grid right now and find out how you can get 3 months free Harry's: get a free travel size face wash by redeeming a free Harry’s Trial set at harrys.com/grid. All you cover is £3.95 for delivery. Your freebie will be added at checkout.

  • Jun 29, 2022 · 57 min

    George Russell: rising with Mercedes

    ‘It’s a huge step… but the peak is miles away’. That’s how George Russell sums up racing for Mercedes. Since George joined the team’s young driver programme in 2017 he knew he could rise to the seat of a Silver Arrow Formula 1 car. How did he get there, and how high will he rise in the future? George tells Tom Clarkson about emotive highs with his former team, Williams, a bitter disappointment on his Mercedes debut in Sakhir and a learning moment in Italy which helped shaped him into the driver and the man he is today. Hear about the pressure George races under at Mercedes, his relationships with his colleagues, his view of his place in the sport, his principles and his ambitions in this in-depth conversation. Related episodes: George Russell’s first BTG interview from July 2020 This episode is sponsored by: Harry's: get hold of a free travel sized face wash when you redeem a free Harry’s Trial set at harrys.com/grid. All you need to cover is £3.95 for delivery

  • Jun 27, 2022 · 1 min

    June 29th on F1 Beyond The Grid…

    Who’s Tom’s guest this week? Hit play to find out. Then, spread the word using #F1BeyondTheGrid and follow the podcast for the fastest way to get the next episode

  • Jun 22, 2022 · 59 min

    Zhou Guanyu: racing childhood F1 heroes for China

    Zhou Guanyu’s route to F1 was epic. As a child he watched the Chinese Grand Prix from the grandstands and dreamed of joining his racing heroes. But with no footsteps to follow in, he had to plot his own path. Before he was even a teenager he moved from his home city of Shanghai to the other side of the world to test his talent behind the wheel. Fighting homesickness and intimidation from his racing rivals, he proved himself. Zhou tells Tom Clarkson about the sacrifices, key decisions, victories and personal loss he experienced along the way. Now he’s racing his childhood heroes as the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1. Zhou has already made history for his country and, as he says himself, he’s only just getting started. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/grid Athletic Greens: get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/f1btg Calm: visit calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library

  • Jun 15, 2022 · 54 min

    Thierry Boutsen: a trifecta of triumph for Belgium

    During his ten year career, Belgian driver Thierry Boutsen delivered consistently. He stacked up 164 races, 15 podiums and 3 Grand Prix wins; even beating the legendary Ayrton Senna to the top of the podium when driving for Williams at the Hungaroring in 1990. Thierry has always been driven by his passions, his love of speed began racing motorbikes in rainy Belgian woodland where he would develop the skills that would eventually help him take his first victory in difficult conditions at the 1989 Canadian Grand Prix. His Formula One debut was with Arrows at his home race in Spa in 1983, the same track it would end on a decade later when he briefly joined the Jordan team. Thierry tells Tom Clarkson all about his journey to F1, the race wins that define his career, his deep interest in engineering and his close bond with good friend Ayrton Senna. This episode is sponsored by: Babbel: go to uk.babbel.com/play, and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/grid LinkedIn Jobs: visit linkedin.com/GRID to post a job for free. Terms andconditions apply

  • Jun 8, 2022 · 45 min

    Frank Dernie: 40 years at the forefront of Formula 1

    With a career spanning four decades, Frank Dernie knows a thing or two about how to make a car fast. After joining Williams in the late 70's as Patrick Head's aerodynamic assistant, helping design the successful FW08 chassis, he went on to work with some of Formula One's biggest stars, greatest teams and the fastest cars on the grid. A pioneer in his field, Frank was the first person in the sport to use computer aided design and is the man to thank for bringing the Williams team's active suspension to life. His analytical and data driven mind was in hot demand in the paddock from teams and drivers alike as he developed his race winning cars. In this episode Frank lets us take a peek inside his brilliant mind as he takes us back to those early days at Williams working with Sir Frank Williams, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, testing with Alain Prost and all that fell in between. Related episodes: Nigel Mansell This episode is sponsored by: Athletic Greens: get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Visit athleticgreens.com/f1btg Calm: get 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at calm.com/grid ExpressVPN: Secure your online data today at expressvpn.com/grid and get three extra months free.