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
39episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jacky Ickx: Belgium’s F1 + Le Mans legend
Aug 5, 2025Tap to summarizeJacky Ickx didn’t grow up wanting to be a racing driver, so how did he become Belgium’s most successful Formula 1 driver and one of the most versatile racers in the history of motorsport? Competing in all types of cars and competitions, not only did Jacky win eight F1 races and finish runner-up in the Drivers’ Standings twice, he was also a serial winner in Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship and even the Paris-Dakar rally. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jacky tells the remarkable story of how he made his Formula 1 debut in a Formula 2 car at the 1966 German Grand Prix. At that time, F2 cars were allowed to race alongside F1 machinery because of how long the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleiffe track was. Jacky reveals how his impressive performances in the F2 car led to him joining Ferrari in 1968, why he left the team after just one season, only to return a year later, and what his relationship with Enzo Ferrari was like. Jacky also remembers how he felt finishing runner-up in 1970 to Jochen Rindt, the only driver to be crowned World Champion posthumously, and you’ll hear the story of his inspirational one-man protest on track that changed the safety of Le Mans forever. F1 Beyond The Grid will return on Wednesday 27th August. It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts Every race analysed on F1 Nation Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: Indeed: Beyond The Grid listeners will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/grid Liquid I.V. : Go to liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first order with code GRID at checkout. Vanta: Visit vanta.com/grid to sign up for a free demo today! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
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Perry McCarthy: driving for 90s non-starters Andrea Moda
Jul 15, 2025Tap to summarizeHe drove for one of the least competitive teams in F1 history. He never started a race. Just making it to Formula 1 was ‘a million to one’ shot for Perry McCarthy. Through extraordinary determination, he did it. When his raw talent behind the wheel was spotted at his local racetrack, McCarthy set his sights on racing at the top. He worked on a North Sea oil rig to raise money to fund his career. Racing in Formula 3000 and sports cars in America led to a chance in F1 with Andrea Moda – a team which only raced for one season in 1992. When Perry made it to the track, the car either broke down or was too slow to make it through an extra ‘pre-qualifying’ session. From climbing the motorsport ladder with drivers including Damon Hill, to testing with Michael Schumacher at Benetton, and later becoming the mysterious ‘Stig’ on TV’s Top Gear, Perry tells Tom Clarkson an eye-opening story from a different era of Formula 1. This episode is sponsored by: Vanta: visit vanta.com/GRID to sign up for a free demo today Shopfiy: sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
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Dario Franchitti: why ‘F1 dream’ never became reality
May 20, 2025Tap to summarizeDario Franchitti has had a sensational racing career in the United States, becoming a four-time IndyCar series champion and a three-time winner of the Indy500.But earlier in his career, Dario had plenty of interest from Formula 1 and tested for a few different teams. So why didn’t he end up racing in the pinnacle of motorsport?Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Dario talks about the three big opportunities he had to drive in F1 and why they never materialised – sharing fascinating insight into the negotiations he had and the tests he completed for different teams.He also discusses his racing idols, how three-time F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart became his mentor and what it takes to become a complete IndyCar driver.This episode is sponsored by: Vanta: for a limited time, listeners get $1000 off at vanta.com/grid Shopify: sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shiopify.com/beyondthegrid
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Stoffel Vandoorne: dramatic debut to 'tough' exit
Apr 23, 2024Tap to summarizeA multiple title winner at junior level and a point-scorer on his unexpected F1 debut in 2016, Stoffel Vandoorne seemed on track for a long and prosperous career in Formula 1. But his big break at McLaren in 2017 arrived during one of the team’s most challenging periods. They finished second-last in the standings during Vandoorne’s first season, endured a difficult transition from Honda to Renault engines the following year, and there was huge organisational change at the top as Zak Brown came in as CEO. After just seven points-finishes in two years, with a best result of P7, Stoffel was replaced by Lando Norris for 2019 and he hasn’t raced in F1 since. Now a Test and Reserve driver for Aston Martin, the Belgian tells Tom Clarkson how he prepared for his first race in F1 at such short notice, the drama of signing his first McLaren contract, where it all went wrong during his two seasons on the grid, and what impact those struggles had on his mental wellbeing, motivation and enjoyment of racing. This episode is sponsored by: Indochino: go to Indochino.com today and use code GRID to get 10% off any purchase of $399 or more Shopify: sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
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George Russell: happier, hungrier + ‘holding his own’ with Hamilton
Oct 3, 2023Tap to summarizeGeorge Russell’s first two seasons at Mercedes have certainly had their ups and downs. He’s become a Grand Prix winner and enjoyed a few bottles of champagne on the podium in that time, but the team are far away from fighting for World Championships. George says he can see a ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ though. He’s proven his worth to the eight-time Constructor Champions and is fully confident he’ll be ready to capitalise when their car becomes competitive again. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, George says he’s in a much happier place now, after embracing a new attitude towards Formula 1 over the summer break. George also talks about taking up freediving in his spare time, how invested his family are in his F1 career, why teammate Lewis Hamilton has pushed him to new levels, and much more. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Gwen Lagrue, the man who found George Russell, on finding F1’s future stars Toto Wolff This episode is sponsored by: Mercedes AMG-SL. Test drive the AMG SL today at your local authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer or learn more at MBUSA.com/AMG-SL
Transcribe →30 Days of BTG – Day 27: Tony Brooks’ tales from the 50s
Feb 25, 2023Tap to summarizeA winner from the World Championship’s first decade, the 1950s, Tony Brooks took F1 victories for Vanwall and Ferrari. Amazingly he’d studied to be a dentist before becoming a full-time racing driver. On what would have been Tony’s 91st birthday, Tom Clarkson revisits a 2019 conversation about the daring deeds of the first F1 stars. Listen to the full interview with Tony Brooks here for more stories from the early years of the F1 World Championship.New weekly episodes of F1 Beyond The Grid start Wednesday March 1st.
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George Russell: rising with Mercedes
Jun 29, 2022Tap to summarize‘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
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George Russell on getting Mercedes' attention, meeting Toto and racing friends
Jul 29, 2020Tap to summarizeThis week we welcome one of the bright young stars of Formula 1 to the show: Williams driver George Russell. The British racer has been making waves this season, dragging his car far higher up the grid than many thought possible, and giving us a glimpse of the talent that made Mercedes sign him as a young driver. So listen in for some great stories as he describes the unusual way he approached Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff, how Alex Albon’s family used to cook him dinner, why he’s flattered by comparisons to Williams greats, and much more…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Inside the thrilling world of F1 Esports
Mar 4, 2020Tap to summarizeIn a special one-off episode, we look back on the thrilling 2019 F1 Esports Series, speaking to everyone from drivers to organisers to explore what makes F1 Esports one of the most compelling and fastest growing racing series on the planet.
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