F1 Beyond The Grid

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Claire Williams: proud of Williams' progress May 06, 2025

Show notes

When Claire Williams sold the Williams F1 team at the end of 2020, a very special 43-year association between the Williams family and Formula 1 came to an end.
Founded by Claire’s father, Sir Frank Williams, in 1977, the team have won 16 World Championships – a feat only bettered by Ferrari and McLaren.
Claire rose through the ranks – starting as press officer in 2002 and eventually becoming Deputy Team Principal in 2013. Over eight seasons, she led the team to 15 podiums and two P3 finishes in the Constructor Standings before she and her family left the sport.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Claire talks about the ups and downs of her time in charge of Williams, whether she regrets selling the team, why her dad was her biggest role model, and what it takes to run a Formula 1 team.
Plus, you’ll hear the fascinating story of why she couldn’t let George Russell join Mercedes earlier in his career and what she makes of the racer he is today.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
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Jonathan Wheatley: leading Sauber forward into Audi era Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

As the new Team Principal of Sauber, Jonathan Wheatley is taking on one of the most exciting projects in Formula 1.
With Benetton, Renault and Red Bull Racing, Jonathan has won 19 World Championships over the last 34 years. Now, after nearly two decades as Red Bull’s Sporting Director, he’s in a very different role with a very different team. And not just any team, because, in 2026, Sauber will become Audi.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jonathan explains why he’s chosen to make such a big change in his career, how his experience of winning at the very highest level will help Audi achieve their goals and the differences between Sauber and Red Bull.
Jonathan also shares stories of working with Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen - revealing the common trait that makes them such great World Champions.
He talks about the unique connection he made with Ayrton Senna in the pitlane, the ‘uncomfortable’ team debrief with Vettel and Mark Webber after their infamous ‘Multi 21’ incident, what it takes to produce the perfect pit stop and his memories of Schumacher’s first title win at Adelaide in 1994.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com

Piers Thynne: running McLaren's championship-winning factory Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Tom Clarkson’s guest on this week’s F1 Beyond The Grid is McLaren’s Chief Operating Officer, Piers Thynne, who has been with the team since 2008.
He oversees everything that happens at the team's base, the McLaren Technology Centre, so he’s played a crucial role in their current success.
How have McLaren transformed into World Champions after finishing second to last in 2017? Why is their philosophy of getting ‘comfortable with being uncomfortable’ so productive? What impact have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had on the whole team? And how are McLaren preparing for new regulations in 2026, while fighting for both titles in 2025?
Piers provides fantastic insight into what it takes to run a championship-winning Formula 1 team away from the track. He also talks about his passion for McLaren’s heritage cars, the lessons he took into F1 from his time as an army officer serving in Iraq, and how his father helped a certain F1 legend become a World Champion.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com
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Esteban Ocon: feeling at home with Haas Apr 15, 2025

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After five years with Alpine, Esteban Ocon is embarking on a new adventure with Haas in 2025.
What challenges has he faced while settling into his new team? How is he getting on with new race engineer Laura Mueller? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their car?
Esteban tells Tom Clarkson how he’s adapting to his new surroundings and how Haas have made such a miraculous recovery from a nightmare opening weekend in Australia.
He also talks about reuniting with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, whom he raced alongside many years ago, his passion for cars and remote-control racing, his recent cameo in a Netflix film and his dramatic exit from Alpine at the end of 2024.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com
This episode is sponsored by:
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
Vanta: For a limited time, listeners get one thousand dollars off Vanta at vanta.com/grid

'The team is a big family' - This week on F1 Beyond The Grid... Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Tom Clarkson reveals which Formula 1 star will be joining him on this week’s episode of F1 Beyond The Grid.
Listen to the full show on Wednesday 16th March or you can watch their chat on the official F1 YouTube channel.

Marc Gene: witnessing five World Champions at Ferrari Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Ferrari ambassador and former test driver Marc Gene has been with the team since 2004.
During that time, Marc has had the privilege of working alongside five World Champions: Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and now, Lewis Hamilton.
Do they all have a common trait that makes them so successful? What’s the difference between one-time and multiple World Champions? Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Marc shares stories from his years working with each of those legends.
The Spaniard also talks about his own racing career in F1, which started with Minardi in 1999, why he loved testing Formula 1 cars for Williams and Ferrari, winning Le Mans in 2009, and much more.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com

Jaime Alguersuari: record-breaking debut to high-pressure exit Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Chosen by Red Bull aged 15. Suddenly launched into his first Grand Prix as the youngest driver ever, having never driven a Formula 1 car before. Racing for the Red Bull junior team, Jaime Alguersuari was expected to win. He was dropped when he didn’t.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jaime looks back at his rapid rise to Formula 1. From his surprise debut in 2009, the demands of the Red Bull junior programme, and racing Michael Schumacher, to turning down the chance to drive a race-winning car days before losing his place in the sport. Now a DJ and producer, Jaime tells Tom how music ‘saved his life’ after he left Formula 1.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com

Pierre Gasly: believing in Alpine Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

‘I wish I could fast forward’, says Pierre Gasly. Like all F1 drivers, Pierre is used to things happening quickly. He thinks Alpine will be fighting further forwards in a matter of months, and is impatient to get there. He knows how winning feels. He believes he can do it again.
Gasly tells Tom Clarkson about the faith he has in Alpine and its leaders, Team Principal Oliver Oakes and Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore. His aim is to win a race this season, but he’s looking further ahead to when F1’s new rules may shake up the sport in 2026. There’s also talk of Pierre’s teammates Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, his fitness goals, his desire to win (even when playing online chess) and his off-track investment in French football team FC Versailles.
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This episode is sponsored by Vanta: for a limited time, get a special offer of $1,000 off at vanta.com/grid.

Andy Cowell: Aston Martin 'want to win’ Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Aston Martin’s Team Principal knows what it takes to win in Formula 1. Andy Cowell leads a team which now includes Adrian Newey. They have the newest factory in the sport. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are in the driving seat. Owner Lawrence Stroll is funding the team’s future. When will these ingredients bring trophies?
Andy tells Tom Clarkson that Aston Martin are in ‘the building phase’ against ‘mighty’ opponents, but he’s confident they will overtake their rivals. He compares his current job to his time winning championships with Mercedes, and explains why F1’s new era of racing with sustainable fuel from 2026 is so important. He also shares his hope that partnering with Honda will give them an advantage.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com
This episode is sponsored by:

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Liam Lawson: ready to go at Red Bull Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

With 11 Grands Prix under his belt, Liam Lawson is technically no longer a rookie – but he is about to embark on his first full Formula 1 season in 2025 and race at many tracks he’s never driven before.
So how does the New Zealander feel about this next step with Red Bull Racing? Speaking to Tom Clarkson at the team’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, Liam answers all the big questions ahead of a potentially career-defining year.
What did Liam do to persuade Team Principal Christian Horner and Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko that he was the right man to replace Sergio Perez? How is he approaching the challenge of having four-time World Champion Max Verstappen as his new teammate? And, with five other drivers kickstarting their F1 careers this season, why does he think more teams are choosing youth over experience?
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