Podcast
F1 Beyond The Grid
Hosted by Formula 1 · EN
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.
Hit the follow button for the fastest way to get new episodes. Watch episodes exclusively on the F1 YouTube channel.
An official Formula 1 podcast. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to F1 Explains
Hit the follow button for the fastest way to get new episodes. Watch episodes exclusively on the F1 YouTube channel.
An official Formula 1 podcast. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to F1 Explains
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
LEGENDS: David Coulthard on finding the best seat in F1
Yesterday00:50:38Tap to summarizeThe Formula 1 driver market is potentially just one domino away from exploding into a frenzy, so what exactly does an F1 driver need to do to get themselves into the best seat on the grid?With multiple wins, poles and podiums throughout his 15 seasons at the pinnacle of motorsport, David Coulthard was often fighting at the front. But how did he make his way into the fastest cars?Speaking to Tom Clarkson, David shares some of the remarkable tales from that journey – including his careful approach to getting a drive at Williams after the death of Ayrton Senna and why a ‘totally unnecessary’ contract dispute resulted in him leaving them for McLaren. DC emphasises the importance of dealing with people, pressure and politics in navigating his way to the front of the grid. He reflects on how he negotiated with big team bosses like Ron Dennis, why he tried to use the media to his advantage and how surviving a plane crash changed his approach to life in F1.This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegridVanta: get started at Vanta dot com slash GRIDLeesa: go to leesa.com for 30% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra 50 dollars off with promo code GRID
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LEGENDS: Jenson Button’s first F1 win
1w ago00:32:56Tap to summarize20 years ago, Jenson Button added his name to the illustrious list of drivers to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, when he emerged victorious at Hungary in 2006.A moment long overdue after multiple podiums, Jenson admits he did get to a point where he thought a win might never happen.So how did he feel when he finally did cross the finish line and take the chequered flag first?Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jenson talks through the race in great detail, before describing the emotions of that huge milestone, how he celebrated and why it changed him as a driver. Plus, the 2009 World Champion also reflects on when he was at his best in Formula 1, which driver on the current grid he relates to the most and why drivers are more insecure than we might think.This episode is sponsored by: Saily - get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code grid atcheckout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/gridLiquid I.V. - go to liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first purchase with code GRID at checkout.
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LEGENDS: When Emerson Fittipaldi shocked Formula 1
2w ago00:50:05Tap to summarizeWhy would a double F1 World Champion at the height of his powers walk away from a winning car? For the 1976 season, Emerson Fittipaldi stunned the sport by leaving McLaren and setting up his own team. He wanted a challenge, and he certainly got one.50 years later, Emerson tells Tom Clarkson why he and his brother Wilson launched Copersucar, a team based in their home country of Brazil. He also remembers the dramatic events that led him to start his own team – winning the World Championship with Lotus and considering retirement before winning a second title with McLaren, and the conversations with Ferrari which could have changed the course of his career. Emerson’s passion for F1 still burns bright. He drove his championship-winning M23 in Miami at a McLaren showrun. He also keeps a close eye on every Grand Prix, and gives his views on Kimi Antonelli’s impressive start to the 2026 season.This episode is sponsored by: Vanta: get started at vanta.com/GRID.Shopify: sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
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Arvid Lindblad: fast, fresh + fearless
3w ago00:54:10Tap to summarize‘I’ve always been the youngest, the new kid, the underdog. It helps me not be intimidated’. Arvid Lindblad, the fourth-youngest F1 driver in history, is full of confidence. In his first race he fought wheel-to-wheel with World Champions. The Racing Bulls driver has made a fast start to his first season in Formula 1. He always believed he’d race at the top. He’s living his childhood dream and he’s loving it.Arvid tells Tom Clarkson how he went from watching F1 on TV aged 4 to racing in F1 aged 18, inspired and supported by his family, his coach – the racing driver Olly Rowland – and Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s former Motorsport Advisor. He explains the coaching which helped him beat more experienced drivers as he progressed up the motorsport ladder in ever-faster cars. Arvid also looks back to his Formula 1 debut in Australia, where he overtook Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris at the start and scored points at the end, and relives the stunning qualifying lap in Japan which saw him eliminate Max Verstappen.Listen to more Official F1 PodcastsListen to the latest episodes of F1 Nation and F1 ExplainsThis episode is sponsored by:Bitdefender: visit bitdefender.com to learn more about how Bitdefender supports Ferrari to stay ahead of cyber threats and how you can make your digital life safer Rag&Bone: for a limited time, our listeners get 20% off their entire order with code GRID at Rag-Bone.com CarGurus: go to cargurus.co.uk for complete vehicle details without any surprises
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Colton Herta: 'my goal is Formula 1'
4w ago00:47:05Tap to summarizeFormula 1 has always been a dream for Colton Herta. Walking away from IndyCar to race in Formula 2 is a gamble. His reward, should he prove himself, could be an F1 drive with Cadillac. Colton has come close to F1 before. This time he’s determined to make it.Speaking on the day he had a seat-fit for Cadillac’s F1 car, Colton Herta tells Tom Clarkson about growing up at racetracks with his father, IndyCar legend Bryan Herta, his love of motorsport and F1 deals that never happened with Sauber and Red Bull’s junior team. Colton also remembers leaving the US as a teenager to race in Europe, where he was teammates with a young Lando Norris in junior categories, and he looks forward to making his F1 practice session debut for Cadillac later this season.This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegridVanta: get started at vanta.com/GRID.
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Bernd Maylander: 500 races in the Safety Car
Apr 1400:58:04Tap to summarizeAt this year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Bernd Maylander reached a remarkable milestone of 500 races as the FIA Safety Car Driver.Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Bernd reflects on how the Safety Car and his job have evolved since his first race back in 2000 and some of the most iconic races he’s been involved in over the last 25 years.He talks through what a Grand Prix weekend looks like for him, the role his co-driver Richard Darker plays and some of the challenges they face – like picking up the leader when the Safety Car is deployed and judging wet conditions. Bernd also reveals what it feels like to have the fastest drivers on the planet right behind him and how he handles them complaining about his speed.This episode is sponsored by: Liquid I.V. - go to liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first purchase with code GRID at checkoutSaily - get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code grid atcheckout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/grid
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Doriane Pin: F1 ACADEMY champion, still pushing
Apr 700:50:56Tap to summarizeFrom the first time she sat in a kart, aged 9, Doriane Pin has wanted to race in Formula 1. F1 ACADEMY champion, Mercedes Development Driver, poised to drive an F1 car for the first time - Doriane is getting closer and closer to that dream.Doriane tells Tom Clarkson her racing story so far, from feeling like a 'superhero' in her kart, to seeking sponsors at the age of 11, taking on the Le Mans 24 hours, and being spotted by the Mercedes Junior Programme.In F1 ACADEMY, Doriane switched to racing open wheel cars on Grand Prix circuits, supported by Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Susie Wolff's advice helped her score points in every race, and become champion at the end of her second season.Now Doriane is Development Driver for Mercedes and is preparing for a first F1 test. Her dream remains the same: a seat on the Grand Prix grid.Follow F1 ACADEMY in 2026 Race highlights on YouTube Latest news on f1academy.com Updates on instagram Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Nation for expert race reviews and previewsF1 Explains to learn how Formula 1 works Listen hereThis episode is sponsored byVantaGame-changing security and compliance for your business. Get started at vanta.com/grid ShopifyStart your business with a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
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Laurent Mekies: relishing Red Bull challenge
Mar 3100:47:59Tap to summarizeRed Bull Racing were at a crossroads when Laurent Mekies took over as Team Principal halfway through 2025. After a difficult first half of the season, should they continue working on their 2025 car or write that year off and prioritise the new regulations for 2026?Their decision to stay focussed on the ‘25 car paid off, with Max Verstappen going from more than 100 points behind to missing out on the title by just two points. But in this new era of Formula 1, Red Bull have fallen down the pecking order after a difficult start to the season.Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Laurent explains why they didn’t switch full focus to 2026 earlier and whether they’re now paying the price for last year’s turnaround.Laurent also talks about how different his experience as a Team Principal is at Red Bull compared to Racing Bulls. He shares insight into what Max Verstappen is like outside of the car, the Dutchman’s future with the team and how Isack Hadjar is settling into his new surroundings. Plus, with Red Bull making their own power units for the first time this year, Laurent tells Tom why he describes their Powertrains project as a ‘crazy challenge’ that only a team like Red Bull could take on.Race reviews + your questions answeredListen to the latest episodes of F1 Nation and F1 ExplainsThis episode is sponsored by CarGurusGo to cargurus.co.uk for complete vehicle details without any surprises.
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Ayao Komatsu: aiming high with Haas
Mar 2500:58:46Tap to summarizeHaas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu is Tom Clarkson’s guest on this week’s F1 Beyond The Grid.Ayao has been with Haas since their debut season 10 years ago, but he’s only been in charge since 2024. What has he learned about leadership in that time? How did he guide the team’s recovery from such a difficult start last season? And what are Haas’ targets in the new era of Formula 1?As for the drivers, Ayao tells Tom what he wants to see from Esteban Ocon this year and how long they can hold on to Ollie Bearman if his eye-catching performances continue. Ayao also reveals a lot about his relationship with owner Gene Haas and what Toyota bring to the table as the team’s technical partner.F1 Nation + F1 Explains are together in 2026Get race reviews + answers to your questions all in one placeThis episode is sponsored by Vanta: get started at vanta.com/GRID
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LEGENDS: How Jacques Villeneuve shook up F1
Mar 1800:39:13Tap to summarizeThe son of a motorsport legend, a racer since childhood, Formula 1 was Jacques Villeneuve's destiny. In 1996, the young Canadian arrived at his first Grand Prix and immediately proved he belonged there by taking pole position. In his rookie season Villeneuve won races, went wheel-to-wheel with Michael Schumacher and took Williams teammate Damon Hill to a final race title-decider. 30 years on, he sits down with Tom Clarkson to remember how he shook up the sport. Jacques explains why he left IndyCar as reigning champion to join Williams in Formula 1, and how racing on ovals influenced how he drove Grands Prix. He talks about working with race engineer Jock Clear, and experimenting with his throttle pedal and steering wheel paddles to find extra performance.Tom asks Jacques about the highlights of his first year in F1: his first pole position, his first race win and the spectacular pass he made on Michael Schumacher - an overtaking move still regarded as one of the best in F1 history.F1 Nation + F1 Explains are together in 2026Get race reviews + answers to your questions all in one placeThis episode is sponsored by:CarGurus: buy or sell your next car today at cargurus.com Shopify: sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code grid at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/grid
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