F1 Beyond The Grid

Latest Episodes:

Mario Illien: powering F1 champions Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Engineer or artist? Mario Illien is both. The Swiss engine designer powered McLaren to glory in the 1990s, and helped make F1’s current hybrid engines the most efficient in the world. Working in isolation for up to 18 hours a day, Mario has spent decades using exotic materials to make light, efficient and powerful engines for F1 and IndyCar legends. He tells Tom Clarkson the secrets of a great F1 power unit, which drivers were able to get the most out of an engine, and how he and his company Ilmor powered teams to Indy 500 victories and F1 World Championships. Plus, tales of 1000 horsepower engines, top secret projects and racing from Paris to Beijing.
Invite a friend to listen using the share button and #F1BeyondTheGrid. Check out F1 Nation’s preview of the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, and Formula Why’s latest episode for answers to your F1 questions.
This episode is sponsored by:
Silverstone Museum: cement your superfan status at Silverstone Museum – go to silverstonemuseum.co.uk and use the code BEYOND15 to save 15%
Factor: head to factormeals.com/btg50 and use code btg50 to get 50% off

Christian Klien: Red Bull’s first F1 prodigy Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

This episode is brought to you by GetYourGuide — the leading online platform for travel experiences. Book your behind-the-scenes tour of McLaren HQ at getyourguide.com.
Multiple World Champions and now a dominant force in Formula 1, it’s easy to forget Red Bull Racing’s humble beginnings back in 2005.
They’ve produced F1 stars like Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, but the first man to graduate from Red Bull’s junior programme and race for the team was Christian Klien. His time in the sport was shorter than hoped, reduced to test driver roles after just three years on the grid. But in faster cars, his talent may have been far more obvious.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Christian reflects on his F1 venture - explaining why it didn’t last longer and how he knew it was time to leave the sport in 2010. He also talks about his former teammates, Mark Webber and David Coulthard, why Red Bull was renowned for being a party team, his thoughts on the 2023 season, and much more.
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid
Related Episodes
David Coulthard
Mark Webber
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal on masterminding their return to the top
Don't forget you can get 15% off when you book your tickets to Silverstone Museum by using the code BEYOND15 at silverstonemuseum.co.uk

Lando Norris: driving McLaren’s revival Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

This episode is brought to you by Salesforce, Official CRM Technology Partner of Formula 1. Visit Salesforce.com/F1 to learn more about how Formula 1 wows fans and grows its global fanbase with Salesforce.
2023 has been one of Lando Norris’ most challenging Formula 1 seasons so far. McLaren have simply not had the race pace to challenge their rivals for podiums. But Lando’s impressive P4 at the Austrian Grand Prix may be a sign of better things to come during the rest of the year.
In a candid conversation with Tom Clarkson, it’s clear how committed Lando is to winning with McLaren in the future. He talks about the extra pressure and responsibility of being the team’s senior driver and how his fans make a huge difference to his performance at the British Grand Prix.
Lando also discusses coping with fame, dealing with criticism, and even what kind of dad he hopes to be one day. Plus, hear how new teammate Oscar Piastri compares to his predecessor Daniel Ricciardo.
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.
Related episodes
Lando’s first Beyond The Grid appearance
Lando’s previous Beyond The Grid interview
Oscar Piastri
Daniel Ricciardo

James Vowles: aiming to win with Williams Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Williams haven’t won a Formula 1 title since 1997. In recent years, they’ve become all too familiar with the back of the grid. But after Alex Albon’s mighty P7 in Canada, is Team Principal James Vowles starting to turn things around? He arrived at Williams with a wealth of experience and a winning mentality – having played a huge role in Mercedes’ unprecedented eight Constructor Championships in a row. Speaking to Tom Clarkson at the team’s base in Grove, James outlines what success looks like for Williams in the near future. He talks about where the team is lacking compared to others, how Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant are working together, and the lessons he’s learned from Mercedes. Plus, hear how Lewis Hamilton compares to other World Champions James has worked with, and much more.
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.
Related episodes
Alex Albon
Logan Sargeant
Lewis Hamilton
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
Ross Brawn, special episode on Brawn GP’s fairytale 2009 season
Mercedes’ Brackley Boys, featuring James, on 20 years of racing together

Giancarlo Fisichella: history with Ferrari, Force India + Fernando Alonso Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

His 14 F1 seasons were filled with drama, shocks and history. Three-time Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella is rightly very proud to have stayed at the top for so long, fulfilling his dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver and racing for Ferrari.
From his dramatic first win with the Jordan team at Brazil in 2003, to the unlikely pole he took for underdogs Force India at Belgium in 2009, Giancarlo has experienced the most emotional highs F1 has to offer and he relives those iconic memories with Tom Clarkson.
He talks about helping Renault teammate Fernando Alonso become a two-time World Champion, the ‘pressure and power’ he felt as an Italian driving for Ferrari, whether his F1 journey would have continued had he not joined the Scuderia, and much more.
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.
Related episodes
Fernando Alonso
Eddie Jordan, owner of Jordan team
Ralf Schumacher, Giancarlo’s teammate at Jordan
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.

'Pressure and power' - this week on BTG... Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

A race-winning fan favourite is TC's guest on this week's F1 Beyond The Grid. Hit play to find out who it is, then hit follow so you get the episode as soon as it's released on Wednesday 21st of June. Use the share button and #F1BeyondTheGrid to tell other F1 fans about the podcast.
Check out other Official F1 Podcasts:
F1 Nation - race reviews and previews recorded inside the F1 Paddock
Formula Why - answering your questions about F1

Stefano Domenicali: leading F1 forward Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

What does the future hold for Formula 1? New races? New teams? New rules? F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali answers all these questions and many more in an intriguing chat with Tom Clarkson.
Domenicali knows what success tastes like. He won multiple World Championships as a leader at Ferrari. Now he plans to harness those experiences and continue evolving the sport, amidst a huge boom in popularity worldwide. Stefano explains his approach to the presidency since taking over from Chase Carey in 2021 and why he’s not afraid to make big decisions for the good of Formula 1.
He also tells Tom about the relationship between F1 and the FIA, what he’s expecting from the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix and whether he thinks Max Verstappen is one of the greatest drivers of all time.
Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.
Related Episodes
Stefano Domenicali’s first Beyond The Grid appearance
Listen to other official F1 Podcasts
F1 Nation - race previews and reviews from the F1 Paddock
Formula Why - answering your questions about Formula 1
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: go to expressvpn.com/GRID and you can get an extra
three months of ExpressVPN for FREE!
F1 Authentics: find your ultimate piece of F1 history and head over to F1Authentics.com to shop now! Enter the code GRID10’ at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
HelloFresh: visit hellofresh.com/grid16 and use code grid16 for 16 free meals plus free
shipping!

Neil Oatley: designing World Championships with McLaren Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

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.
Neil first made a name for himself as a race engineer at Williams in the late 1970’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.
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.

Logan Sargeant: the USA's latest F1 star May 30, 2023

Show notes

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

‘F1 is a mental game’ – this week on BTG May 29, 2023

Show notes

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected