F1 Beyond The Grid

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Jun 2026

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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

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60 recent

June 16, 202655 min

Tom Kristensen: the best who never raced in F1?

As a child, Formula 1 was his dream. As a young driver he was on the same trajectory as Michael Schumacher. Tom Kristensen was offered a chance to join a Formula 1 team, but he saw it as too risky. Instead he found success in sportscars and made history at the Le Mans 24 Hours with a record nine victories.Tom tells Tom Clarkson about the ‘risky’ offer he received from a Formula 1 team in the 1990s, the sportscar decision which harmed his F1 chances, and the day he impressed a World Champion in a modern F1 car. ‘Mr Le Mans’ also remembers his history-making days at the world’s most famous endurance race, and explains how racing different cars made him a better driver.This episode is sponsored by: Leesa - go to Leesa.com for 25% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code GRID. Liquid I.V. - visit liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first purchase with code GRID at checkout.Shopify - sign up for your $1 per-month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid.Vanta - get started today at vanta.com/GRID.

June 9, 202640 min

Alex Albon: making history with Williams

In Barcelona, Alex Albon became the driver with the most race starts in Williams history – surpassing Nigel Mansell’s record of 95 Grands Prix.Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Alex talks about what that milestone means to him and how he’s changed, as a driver and as a person, since joining the team in 2022.Alex also tells Tom why Williams have had a difficult start to the new era of Formula 1 and how that setback has changed their targets of competing for podiums, race wins and championships. You’ll also hear about Alex’s relationship with teammate Carlos Sainz and how he views the success achieved by the likes of Lando Norris and George Russell, having raced against them in junior categories.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/gridBitdefender: visit Bitdefender.com to learn more about how Bitdefender supports Ferrari through cybersecurity built on trust and how YOU can make your digital life safer.

June 2, 202645 min

LEGENDS: Jean Alesi’s one and only win

At the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix, Jean Alesi achieved the sole Grand Prix victory of his Formula 1 career.Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jean relives the standout moments from that unforgettable moment in Montreal – like only finding out from the fans that he was leading the race, doing a lap of honour on the back of Michael Schumacher’s car, and then being whisked to the Vatican in Rome to celebrate.He talks about the emotions he felt when crossing the finish line and what he feels now when looking back – and whether only winning one race frustrates him. Jean also shares some brilliant stories from other times in his career – telling Tom how he helped inspire Eddie Jordan to make his own F1 team and why Ayrton Senna was somewhat bemused when Jean borrowed something from him.This episode is sponsored by: CarGurus: Join the millions who have already found their best deal with CarGurus.Go to cargurus dot co dot uk for complete vehicle details without any surprises.Vanta: Get started today at vanta.com/GRIDShopify: sign up for your $1 per-month trial today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid

May 26, 202641 min

Mattia Binotto: ‘Audi are serious’ about F1 success

He learned how to win at Ferrari. He believes Audi can become Formula 1 World Championship contenders by 2030. For Mattia Binotto, the first step is raising the ambition of every person in his team. Audi aren’t on the grid to take part. They’re there to win.The Audi Team Principal tells Tom Clarkson how he plans to turn the former Sauber team into winners. Mattia talks about the pressure and opportunity created by Audi, a brand with an impressive record in other forms of motorsport. He explains the ingredients that made Ferrari the dominant team of the early 2000s and how he aims to apply the same approach to Audi. Why are drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg perfect for Audi? Could the team be a destination for a megastar like Max Verstappen? Will Mattia get a tattoo for the team’s first race win? Tom asks Mattia all these questions and more.This episode is sponsored by: CarGurus: go to cargurus.co.uk for complete vehicle details without any surprises.

May 19, 202650 min

LEGENDS: David Coulthard on finding the best seat in F1

The 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

May 12, 202632 min

LEGENDS: Jenson Button’s first F1 win

20 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.

May 5, 202650 min

LEGENDS: When Emerson Fittipaldi shocked Formula 1

Why 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

April 28, 202650 min

Arvid Lindblad: fast, fresh + fearless

‘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

April 21, 202644 min

Colton Herta: 'my goal is Formula 1'

Formula 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.

April 14, 202655 min

Bernd Maylander: 500 races in the Safety Car

At 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