Show cover of F1: Beyond The Grid

F1: Beyond The Grid

Formula 1's fastest stars slow down and open up, sharing untold stories and unrivalled insight. Tom Clarkson brings you revealing, feature-length interviews and amazing anecdotes from F1’s biggest names. Expect superstar drivers, team bosses, tech geniuses and racing legends. Hit the follow button for the fastest way to get new episodes. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to Formula Why.

Tracks

Neil Oatley: designing World Championships with McLaren
McLaren’s prestige in Formula 1 is built on the foundations of legendary success. The team has won eight Constructor titles and produced some of the most distinguished World Champions to grace the sport. That history wouldn’t exist without the genius of people like Neil Oatley. His wisdom and expertise has served F1 for nearly half a decade. Such longevity equals legacy in this sport. Neil first made a name for himself as a race engineer at Williams in the late 1970’s, playing a huge part in the team’s first Grand Prix victory and subsequent World Championships for Alan Jones and Keke Rosberg in the early 80’s. But it was as McLaren’s chief designer when Neil really certified his status as one of the most influential engineers of all time. From 1989 to 1999, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Mika Hakkinen all won World Championships in cars designed by Oatley. In a fascinating conversation with Tom Clarkson, Neil relives some of the most iconic memories from his extraordinary career. He reveals what it was like to work with some of the greatest drivers and to have a front-row seat for Senna and Prost’s fierce rivalry. Plus, Neil tells Tom how the role of engineer and driver has evolved, how he’s still helping McLaren today, and much more. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Lando Norris Oscar Piastri  Lewis Hamilton  Mika Hakkinen, two-time World Champion with McLaren Alain Prost, won three titles at McLaren  Alan Jones, 1980 World Champion at Williams Frank Dernie, legendary F1 engineer  Sir Patrick Head, former Williams Technical Director  Steve Nichols, Head Car Designer in McLaren’s title-winning 1988 season  This episode is sponsored by:  MoneyGram: flex your finances using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets. Athletic Greens: get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/f1btg.
76:28 6/6/23
Logan Sargeant: the USA's new F1 star
Timing is everything in Formula 1 and Logan Sargeant has timed his debut perfectly. F1 is booming in the US, and with three Grands Prix in the States, fans will have plenty of opportunities to cheer their new home favourite on. Sargeant is one of three rookies in 2023, after finishing fourth in last year’s Formula 2 championship to secure his Super License and a seat at Williams. He tells Tom Clarkson how the reality of F1 compares to the dream of F1, and what he’s learned so far. Logan reflects on his journey to this point; from leaving the US at the age of 12, to competing with fellow rookie Oscar Piastri for the Formula 3 title in 2020. He talks about his relationships with Piastri and current teammate Alex Albon, why his mentality will have to be stronger than ever to succeed, how it feels to be racing some of his idols, and much more. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid MORE FROM OFFICIAL F1 PODCASTS F1 Nation - the latest race previews and reviews Formula Why - answering your questions about F1 RELATED EPISODES FROM THE BTG ARCHIVE Alex Albon, Logan's Williams teammate Oscar Piastri, friend and former championship rival This episode is sponsored by:   MoneyGram: flex your finances using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets
44:50 5/30/23
‘F1 is a mental game’ – this week on BTG
Who’s Tom’s F1 Beyond The Grid guest this week? Hit play to find out, then share using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Listen to the latest F1 Nation for reaction and analysis after the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix from former F1 stars Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz. Plus, to hear why street circuits are the ultimate test, check out F1’s new Formula Why podcast 
01:48 5/29/23
Sam Michael: engineering his rise to the top of F1
“You just think there’s no way I could be good enough.” When Sam Michael arrived in F1, he worried he wouldn’t be able to keep up. But he became an influential and experienced leader at two of the sport’s biggest teams. From a race engineer at Jordan in the late 1990s, to senior director roles at both Williams and McLaren in the 2000s, Sam enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top before leaving F1 in 2014. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, he reflects on more than two decades in the pinnacle of motorsport and reveals the people who influenced his life the most. Sam shares fascinating insight into some of the big names he’s worked with; Lewis Hamilton, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Rubens Barrichello to name a few. He explains the characteristics that separate the greatest racers from the rest, how he made drivers take a test to understand their knowledge of cars, what he misses about F1 and much more. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes Eddie Jordan  Lewis Hamilton  Juan Pablo Montoya Ralf Schumacher  Rubens Barrichello  This episode is sponsored by:  MoneyGram: flex your finances using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets.  Babbel: go to babbel.com/podcast23 and use promo code BEYOND for an extra three months free with a purchase of a 3-month subscription free. Hello Fresh: head to hellofresh.com/grid16 and use code GRID16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping
77:18 5/23/23
Scott Speed: Red Bull’s American prodigy
‘I was a super cocky, arrogant kid’. Fast by name, fast by nature. Scott Speed was born to be a racer. He had natural talent and raw pace. But he didn’t need telling. After being discovered by Red Bull as America’s next star, Speed arrived in Formula 1 with a ‘massive ego’. Debuting for Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2006, he lasted just 18 months. With no World Championship points to his name, Speed was replaced by Sebastian Vettel after the 2007 European Grand Prix. Rallycross is the epicentre of his most notable achievements since then – he’s a four-time champion and three-time X-Games gold medallist – but Speed has also raced in NASCAR and IndyCar among other competitions. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Scott relives an exciting journey into motorsport that begins with his father’s infectious passion for racing. He explains very openly how a bad attitude, a lack of motivation, and a struggle to adapt to life in Europe cost him more time in Formula 1. Plus, Scott reveals how he’s helping today’s generation of drivers avoid the same mistakes he made. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes: Franz Tost Christian Horner  Danny Sullivan This episode is sponsored by: MoneyGram: convert your digital currency to cash and back again using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets
64:57 5/16/23
Mario Theissen: the highs and lows of BMW’s F1 journey
BMW have been in and out of Formula 1 since the inaugural Drivers’ World Championship in 1950. As BMW’s Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen oversaw their most recent return at the start of the 21st century. Firstly with Williams and then with Sauber, the following 10 seasons provided plenty of ups and downs before the company decided to pull out of F1 altogether at the end of 2009.  Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Mario shares his memories of an unforgettable decade in the sport. Williams enjoyed a couple of years as ‘best of the rest’ during an era of Ferrari and Michael Schumacher dominance in the early 2000’s, but relationships within the team started to falter and the partnership ended in 2005.  BMW bought Sauber and Theissen became team principal from 2006 onwards. He recalls the emotions he felt when Robert Kubica suffered a horrifying crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007, before leading a 1-2 at the same track a year later. Mario reveals why he and Kubica had a dispute as he challenged for the drivers’ title in 2008, why BMW’s decision to leave came as a surprise and how the introduction of the double diffuser played a part in their destiny.  Plus, hear why Sebastian Vettel showed wisdom beyond his years at the very beginning of his career. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes Robert Kubica  Nick Heidfeld  Sebastian Vettel  Jenson Button This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beyondthegrid Heineken Silver is running a sweepstakes to win a VIP experience to the Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix. You must be a US resident aged 21 or over. Click here to enter and see full terms and conditions  Babbel: go to babbel.com/podcast23, and use promo code BEYOND for an extra three months free. MoneyGram: convert your digital currency to cash and back again using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at https://moneygram.com/stellarwallets
69:19 5/9/23
Valtteri Bottas: a new attitude at Alfa Romeo
This episode of F1 Beyond The Grid is presented by Salesforce, a global partner of Formula 1. To learn more about how F1 wows fans and grows its fanbase with Salesforce, visit Salesforce.com/F1 Cooler, calmer and now rocking a new hairstyle, Valtteri Bottas seems a completely different man to the one that left Mercedes at the end of 2021. The 10-time Grand Prix winner still has a burning desire to reach the top step of the podium again, but his approach to Formula 1 has changed a lot since joining Alfa Romeo. He’s less sensitive to criticism, he doesn’t care what others think of him and he’s enjoying everything that makes him happy outside of the sport. Valtteri tells Tom Clarkson the inspiration behind his mullet, how he’s adapted to a team not fighting at the front and why he’s got no plans to leave F1 anytime soon. Plus, the Finn explains why he thinks Lewis Hamilton is still the fastest driver on the grid. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes: Valtteri Bottas’ first Beyond The Grid interview  Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri’s Alfa Romeo teammate  Listen to F1 Nation's review of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Plus, check out F1's new podcast, Formula Why, to learn more about how F1 works. Search and listen to both right here on your podcast app.
41:04 5/2/23
‘I still want to win’: this week on BTG
Who’s Tom’s F1 Beyond The Grid guest this week? Hit play to find out, then share using #F1BeyondTheGrid Coming soon, the latest F1 Nation for reaction and analysis from the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Plus, check out F1’s brand-new podcast Formula Why to hear why F1 Sprint is such a challenge.
01:18 5/1/23
Dan Fallows: directing Aston’s rise
In 2023, Aston Martin took a leap to the front of Formula 1. They went from midfield battlers to podium finishers, ahead of Mercedes and Ferrari. How? As the engineer who led the creation of the team's car, Technical Director Dan Fallows, is one of many possible answers to that question. Dan began his F1 career in 2002, as an aerodynamic engineer for Jaguar. Four years later, he joined Red Bull – where he learnt from one of the sport’s greatest car designers in the form of Adrian Newey and played a part in the team’s most successful period. His first two seasons at Aston Martin were difficult, but it seems to be third time lucky for Dan and the team. He tells Tom Clarkson why the 2023 car is far superior to its predecessor and how the talent of the team’s workforce surpassed his expectations. He explains where his passion for aerodynamics comes from, how playing guitar keeps him occupied outside of F1, and why Fernando Alonso has had such a big impact on the team. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes: Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin team owner  This episode is sponsored by:  HelloFresh: go to HelloFresh dot com slash 50grid and use code 50grid for 50% off, plus your first box ships free!  ExpressVPN: visit ExpressVPN.com/grid right now and find out how you can get 3 months free.
59:19 4/26/23
COMING SOON: Formula Why - a new official F1 podcast
Introducing Formula Why, a brand-new official F1 podcast about how F1 really works. Episodes weekly from Friday 28th April.  Search your podcast app for Formula Why and hit the follow button to get the first episode fast.
02:58 4/21/23
Yuki Tsunoda: fitter, faster, fired up
Japan has had plenty of Formula 1 heroes to worship over the years. But does Yuki Tsunoda have what it takes to become the country’s first World Champion? If he can drive as fast as he reached F1 then he’s in with a chance. The 22-year-old went from Japanese F4 to his drive at Alpha Tauri in the space of just three years. Since his points-scoring debut in 2021, Yuki has certainly caught the eye of many. But 2023 is a huge year. With Pierre Gasly leaving for Alpine, Tsunoda is now the team leader. How he performs this season will have a huge impact on his future in the sport. Is he ready for the challenge? Yuki tells Tom Clarkson what he's learned from his idol Fernando Alonso, why Daniel Ricciardo’s old trainer has made him fitter than ever before, and how he’s trying to be calmer on team radio. Plus, Yuki reveals why he loves being famous. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes: Nyck de Vries, Yuki's AlphaTauri teammate  This episode is sponsored by:  Babbel: go to babbel.com/podcast23, and use promo code BEYOND for an extra three months free. Athletic Greens: get hold of a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/f1btg.
54:23 4/18/23
This week on F1 Beyond The Grid…
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid using #F1BeyondTheGrid
01:35 4/17/23
Jonathan Palmer: doctor, driver, deal-maker
He didn’t come from a racing family. He followed in the footsteps of his father and qualified as a doctor. How Jonathan Palmer ended up driving in Formula 1 is an intriguing tale of passion for racing, intuition and plenty of graft. Palmer initially competed in Formula Ford but after qualifying as a doctor, he decided to focus on racing professionally. He became British Formula 3 champion in 1981 and European Formula 3 champion in 1983. That year, Williams gave him his F1 debut at the European Grand Prix. He would go on to race for RAM, Zakspeed and Tyrrell over the next six years – scoring 14 championship points along the way. Palmer takes Tom Clarkson through his unique journey from studying medicine to competing in Formula 1. He reflects on some memorable drives in Monaco and we hear wonderful insight into what it was like working with Ayrton Senna as a test driver for McLaren in 1990. Palmer, whose son Jolyon also raced in F1 for Renault in 2016 and 2017, became part of the BBC’s Formula 1 coverage after retiring. He recalls working the day Senna lost his life at Imola in May 1994. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.
57:21 4/11/23
Sir Jackie Stewart: 50 years a triple World Champion
He’s one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1. Sir Jackie Stewart became World Champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973. 50 years since he retired after that final title, Sir Jackie is still in the top 10 for all-time F1 race wins - with 27 victories to his name. He started out with the BRM team in 1965, before joining Tyrell Racing three years later. They enjoyed five years of success, in which Jackie cemented his status as a legend of the sport. The Flying Scot, as he was also known, tells Tom Clarkson that winning was all that mattered. But for all the highs, there were also dreadful lows. Formula 1 was an extremely dangerous sport in Jackie’s era. Three of his close friends were killed in F1 races – Piers Courage, Jochen Rindt and his Tyrrell teammate, Francois Cevert. Jackie explains how he became almost desensitised to death and how he removed all emotion from his racing to succeed. The hectic lifestyle of a Formula 1 World Champion eventually caught up with Jackie and proved to be a huge factor in his decision to retire. Much of his life after F1 was dedicated to improving the safety of the sport and many of the changes to protect the drivers today are thanks to him. Jackie opens up about the relationship with his wife, Helen, and sons, Paul and Mark. He reveals why he didn’t stop racing as Roger Williamson lost his life at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1973, and why Formula 1 still means so much to him now. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. To hear more of Sir Jackie Stewart’s F1 story, listen to his first BTG interview here. This episode is sponsored by: MoneyGram: convert your digital currency to cash and back again using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets Athletic Greens: if you want to take ownership of your health, today is a good time to start. Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/f1btg. Babbel: go to babbel.com/podcast23, and use promo code BEYOND for an extra three months free.
54:13 4/4/23
Oscar Piastri: remote control racing to F1 rookie
Oscar Piastri came into Formula 1 with plenty of expectation. But it seems he has the potential to match the pressure. In three consecutive years, he became Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion. After winning the F2 championship, there was no space on the grid for the 2022 F1 season and Piastri had to take a year out from racing. But now his chance has arrived. McLaren have given him the opportunity to prove himself at the top and he’s keen to emulate the success of fellow Australians, Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo. Piastri tells Tom Clarkson about leaving home at a young age and how his career in motorsport began with remote control racing. Although last season’s battle for Piastri’s signature between McLaren and Alpine is behind them, there’s now more attention on him than most F1 debutants are used to. But alongside Lando Norris, he’s confident of bringing back the glory days to McLaren. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond the Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. This episode is sponsored by:  Athletic Greens: if you want to take ownership of your health, today is a good time to start. Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/f1btg. MoneyGram: flex your finances using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets. LinkedIn Jobs: find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRID.
57:11 3/28/23
Australian GP week on F1 Beyond The Grid
Tom’s heading to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, but who’s his guest on this week’s F1 Beyond The Grid?   Follow F1 Beyond The Grid for the fastest way to get the next episode.
01:10 3/27/23
Paul Stoddart: finding faith in Fernando Alonso and Minardi’s miracle
Formula 1 loves a feel-good story and the Minardi fairy-tale is no exception. They wrote one of the most heart-warming chapters in the sport’s history. Mark Webber’s fifth-place finish on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2002 is one of many fond memories cherished by former team boss Paul Stoddart. A year earlier, Paul wasn’t even sure they’d be quick enough to qualify for the first race. But his confidence in a 19 year-old Fernando Alonso was rewarded and the team started life in F1 much better than expected. Paul tells Tom Clarkson the moment he realised Alonso had what it takes to become a World Champion, why the Spaniard still has that burning desire to compete at the very top and how to be his best at Aston Martin. Paul also remembers Michael Schumacher’s manners and the eye-opening time he lapped Ferrari’s test track with the seven-time champion. Plus, how Max Verstappen’s winning mentality was clear to see at a young age, when he raced his father Jos in a simulator. This episode is sponsored by:  MoneyGram: Flex your finances using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets.  ExpressVPN: visit expressvpn.com/grid and you’ll get three extra months free. Babbel: listeners can get three months free with a purchase of a 3- month subscription with promo code BEYOND. Go to babbel.com/podcast23 
78:11 3/22/23
Alain Prost: 30 years since a ‘difficult’ 4th world title
A returning champion. A legendary rival. A chance to rise above the rest. 1993 was the year Alain Prost set himself apart from his competitors and became a four-time F1 World Champion. At the time, he was only the second driver to win more than three titles. But his fourth triumph was far from easy. Prost was racing against his long-term foe, McLaren’s Ayrton Senna. He had to get used to a brand-new car, with technology he had never experienced before. There were behind-the-scenes issues at his Williams team. Prost was also considering his future, and life after Formula 1. 30 years on, Alain tells Tom Clarkson his memories of his final F1 title, the end of his F1 career, and how close he came to a final chapter as Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari teammate. This episode is sponsored by:  Moneygram: convert your digital currency to cash and back again using the only digital wallets with real cash access activated by MoneyGram. Learn more at moneygram.com/stellarwallets. 
51:30 3/15/23
Laurent Rossi: ‘climbing the mountain’ with Alpine
Win races. Catch F1’s ‘big three’ teams. Turn ‘beasts’ into team players. Laurent Rossi’s to-do list is intimidating. The Alpine CEO runs the French road car company and the F1 operation, which is split between France and the UK. He grew up in a racing heartland. He studied at leading universities and worked at top-tier companies. All that experience helped him handle clashing teammates Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso in 2022. Alpine’s 2023 line-up, Ocon and Pierre Gasly, have been rivals since they were 6 years old. Now, Rossi needs them to work together to help the team ‘climb the mountain’, and close the gap to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Laurent tells Tom Clarkson how he and Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer plan to make Alpine winners. He also explains what the team learned from the 2022 departure of junior driver Oscar Piastri, who now races with McLaren. This episode is sponsored by:  Babbel: get three months free with a purchase of a 3- month subscription. Go to babbel.com/podcast23 and use promo code BEYOND.  F1 Unlocked: you and a friend could win the ‘Key to the Grand Prix’ in Melbourne and unlock a level of access that’ll make you want to pinch yourself. Go to F1.com/competition to enter and for full terms and conditions.
62:09 3/8/23
Charles Leclerc: 2nd is not enough at Ferrari
A dream start. A disappointing finish. 2022 was Charles Leclerc’s best F1 season so far. But for him and for Ferrari, only the World Championship is enough. Now, a fresh challenge. Ahead of a new campaign, Charles is determined to take the trophy for himself. In the first new episode of 2023, Charles tells Tom Clarkson why missing out on the title in 2022 has made him the best he’s ever been. He reveals the soul-searching and changes at Ferrari since last season, and explains why new Team Principal Fred Vasseur is the right person to lead the famous red team to success. Plus, how going ice climbing, learning to fly and playing the piano helps Charles escape from the constant pressure of F1. The piano Tom brought to the interview isn’t very good, but Charles’ playing certainly is… New episodes of F1 Beyond The Grid every week during the F1 season. Hit follow for the fastest way to get them. Share using #F1BeyondTheGrid.  This episode is sponsored by:  F1TV: for a limited time F1 are offering a 7-day free trial for F1 TV Pro subscribers. Simply go to F1TV.com to sign-up and take your race weekend to the next level! LinkedIn Jobs: find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRID.
41:56 3/1/23
30 Days of BTG – Day 30: 2023’s first guest revealed
F1 is no ordinary sport. These are no ordinary interviews. Join Tom Clarkson for a new season of in-depth conversations with the sport’s biggest stars and brightest minds. New episodes begin Wednesday March 1st. Follow the podcast for the fastest way to get new episodes. Share using #F1BeyondTheGrid
03:00 2/28/23
30 Days of BTG - Day 29: Bernd Maylander’s Safety Car secrets
21 drivers are getting ready for the first race of 2023 – the 20 F1 racers and Bernd Maylander, driver of the F1 Safety Car. When Bernd hits the track, in bad weather or after a crash, his job is to keep the F1 field to a safe speed until they can go racing again. He’s often criticised for driving too slowly, but as he told Tom Clarkson in 2020, that’s simply not true. For more Safety Car secrets from Bernd, check out the full conversation here 
07:19 2/27/23
30 Days of BTG – Day 28: Guenther Steiner’s fame and fans
Drive to Survive Season 5 is out now on Netflix, which means more behind-the-scenes moments with Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner. He’s become an F1 paddock rockstar, but he’s still a boss who takes big decisions. In 2022, Guenther told Tom Clarkson about his celebrity status and his style of management. Hear a different side of Steiner in the full BTG interview here 
04:55 2/26/23
30 Days of BTG – Day 27: Tony Brooks’ tales from the 50s
A 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.
05:14 2/25/23
30 Days of BTG - Day 26: Pedro de la Rosa’s ‘massive problem’
F1 test sessions can reveal technical problems with cars, or unlock extra performance. They can also reveal stars of the future. Pedro de la Rosa, one of F1’s most experienced test drivers, was there to witness Lewis Hamilton’s first drive in an F1 car in September 2006. The Spaniard was stunned by Hamilton’s speed and what a ‘massive problem’ he’d cause anyone trying to beat him. On Beyond The Grid, Pedro told Tom Clarkson his memories of the test and his own magical F1 debut. Pedro’s full interview from 2020 is right here. F1 Beyond The Grid’s new season begins on Wednesday March 1st. Get the latest from pre-season testing on F1.com, the F1 app and F1 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
05:19 2/24/23
30 Days of BTG - Day 25: Jenson Button’s pre-season shockwave
On the eve of the 2009 F1 season, Jenson Button and Brawn GP shocked the sport. The team, which barely survived the previous winter after the withdrawal of owners Honda, arrived at the final pre-season test with a car that had never been driven at full racing speed before. Immediately, it was fastest of all. Jenson Button told Tom Clarkson about that test day, and why dominating the early stages of the 2009 season felt far from easy. You can listen to the full BTG interview with Jenson Button here.  New episodes of F1 Beyond The Grid start Wednesday March 1st. Get the latest from pre-season testing on F1.com, the F1 app and F1 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
06:03 2/23/23
30 Days of BTG - Day 24: Mika Hakkinen’s double glory
24 years ago, the original “Flying Finn” became a two-time F1 World Champion. That puts Mika Hakkinen in an exclusive club of just 11 drivers who have won F1 titles in consecutive years, which also includes Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. In this feature-length interview from the BTG archive, Mika tells Tom Clarkson about recovering from a serious crash to take on Michael Schumacher and win back-to-back championships with McLaren in 1998 and 1999. New episodes of F1 Beyond The Grid begin Wednesday March 1st.  Follow the podcast on your player for in-depth interviews with F1’s biggest stars every week. This episode is sponsored by:  ExpressVPN: go to expressvpn.com/GRID today and get an extra three months free on a one-year package. F1 TV: F1 are offering fans 20% off their annual F1 TV Pro Subscriptions, simply go to F1TV.com to sign-up. Offer automatically updates at check out. F1 TV Pro is only available in select territories, check the website for more details Shopify: sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beyondthegrid
82:34 2/22/23
30 Days of BTG - Day 23: Aldo Costa’s winning formula
Who has won more F1 world titles than Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher combined? Aldo Costa. The Italian engineer’s work has helped Ferrari, Mercedes and their drivers win a total of 26 World Championships. That makes him a good person to talk to about winning, dealing with pressure and why it’s important to allow engineers to try, fail, and try again. Tom Clarkson is picking archive highlights in the build-up up to the new season of F1 Beyond The Grid. Follow the podcast and look out for a brand new episode on Wednesday March 1st. To hear more winning secrets and stories from Aldo Costa, tap here 
04:59 2/21/23
30 Days of BTG – Day 22: Yuki Tsunoda’s Tokyo guide
F1 loves Japan: the passionate fans, the stunning racetracks, and the exciting drivers. Yuki Tsunoda wants to be his country’s first F1 winner. In this clip, recorded during Yuki’s rookie season in 2021, he told Tom Clarkson about his love of Tokyo and how former Japanese racers have helped him in his career. Yuki talks food, swearing and friendships in the full interview. Listen right here. 
04:24 2/20/23
30 Days of BTG – Day 21: Kimi Raikkonen’s start and finish
A straight-talking, no nonsense, modern F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen became World Champion doing things his way. Before his final Grand Prix in 2021, Kimi told Tom Clarkson about his first drive in a Formula 1 car and whether age slowed him down. Look out for another archive highlight tomorrow. A brand-new episode of F1 Beyond The Grid will be with you on Wednesday March 1st. Kimi’s full, rare, in-depth interview is a must-listen. Hear it here. 
04:46 2/19/23