F1: Beyond the Grid

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

He’s one of the greatest drivers in the history of F1. 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. 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. F1 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. Jackie reveals why he didn’t stop racing as Roger Williamson lost his life at the Dutch GP in 1973, and why Formula 1 still means so much to him now.

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 F1 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 F3 champion in 1981 and European F3 champion in 1983. That year, Williams gave him his F1 debut at the European GP. 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 F1. 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. He recalls working the day Senna lost his life at Imola in May 1994.

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.

In 2023, Aston Martin took a leap to the front of F1. 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.

Valtteri Bottas: a new attitude at Alfa Romeo. 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.

BMW have been in & out of F1 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. First with Williams and then with Sauber, the next 10 seasons provided plenty of ups & downs before BMW decided to pull out of F1 altogether at the end of 2009. 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 in 2006. He recalls the emotions he felt when Robert Kubica suffered a horrifying crash at the Canadian GP in 2007 and he reveals why he and Kubica had a dispute 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.

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 F1 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 GP. 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 F1. Plus, Scott reveals how he’s helping today’s generation of drivers avoid the same mistakes he made.

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.

Logan Sargeant: the USA's latest 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.

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. 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.

Stefano Domenicali: leading F1 forward. 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.

Giancarlo Fisichella: history with Ferrari, Force India + Fernando Alonso. 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.

James Vowles: aiming to win with Williams. 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.

Lando Norris: driving McLaren’s revival. 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.

Christian Klien: Red Bull’s first F1 prodigy. 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.

Mario Illien: powering F1 champions. 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.

Otmar Szafnauer on leading Alpine. From rural Romania to F1 Team Principal, Otmar Szafnauer’s story is as inspiring as it is unlikely. Life as Alpine boss - coping with pressure from boards of directors, dealing with drivers and leading a team of 950 people - was a world away from his early childhood in a house with no running water, in a village with only two cars. In a conversation with Tom Clarkson recorded before Otmar left the team, he talks about what those early years taught him, the highs and lows of his decades in Formula 1, his views on the leadership of Alpine, the relationship between Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, the 2023 success of Alpine’s former drivers and the challenge of turning the team into regular race winners.

Herbie Blash: race mechanic to Race Control. To stay in the paddock for more than half a century, you simply must adore Formula 1. The sport might have changed a lot in that time, but what has always stayed the same is Herbie Blash’s enthusiasm for F1. Now the FIA’s permanent senior advisor to the Race Director, Blash’s career began as a race mechanic at Rob Walker Racing and Lotus in the 1960’s. 30 years later, having won two World Championships as team manager of Brabham Racing in the 1980’s, Herbie switched the pit wall for Race Control – where he spent more than two decades as deputy to the late, legendary FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Herbie relives some of the most intriguing tales of his long career; from pushing the regulations to the absolute limit with Brabham, working with World Champions like Niki Lauda, dealing with driver fatalities, becoming best mates with Charlie, his passion for motorbikes, and much more.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen: Germany’s F1 cult hero. F1 Beyond The Grid is back after the summer break with German fan favourite and three-time Grand Prix winner Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He tells Tom Clarkson some very intriguing tales from an eventful decade in Formula 1 - which saw him drive for Sauber, Williams, Jordan, Prost and Arrows from 1994 to 2003. Highlights include Heinz-Harald’s sacking by Eddie Jordan halfway through the 2001 season, how telling Ron Dennis a bad joke cost him a move to McLaren, why his 1999 Championship challenge collapsed, the friendship he forged with seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, and much more.

Fred Vasseur: pursuing the ‘pinnacle’ with Ferrari. Ferrari’s wait for a record 32nd World Championship is set to continue in 2023. But are the most successful team in Formula 1 history at least heading in the right direction? Ahead of their home race at Monza, who better to answer that question than Ferrari Team Principal, Fred Vasseur? Cracking jokes throughout, Fred tells Tom Clarkson how the culture at Ferrari is like no other he’s experienced in F1 and why this job is the ‘biggest challenge’ of his career. He talks about the development of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and he sends a message to the Tifosi.

Nico Hulkenberg: focusing on family and F1. Nico Hulkenberg will be on the grid again in 2024 after securing another year with Haas. At the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix, the German will reach a landmark 200 Grand Prix starts – accumulated from his time at Williams, Force India (now Aston Martin), Sauber, Renault and Haas. So how is ‘The Hulk’ that races today different to the 22-year-old that made his debut in 2010? Nico tells Tom Clarkson how family life and his recent break from F1 have given him a completely different outlook on the sport, what his relationship with teammate Kevin Magnussen is like, whether Team Principal Guenther Steiner is just like the man we see on TV, and much more.

Gwen Lagrue: finding F1's future stars, Ever wondered how your Formula 1 heroes are found in the first place? Well, George Russell, Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon may not be on the grid today if it wasn’t for the keen eye of F1 talent guru Gwen Lagrue. He’s the Frenchman in charge of Mercedes’ junior driver programme, with a track record of uncovering hidden gems and helping them fulfil their potential in the pinnacle of motorsport. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Gwen talks about the traits that separated Russell, Ocon and Albon from others in their early karting years, what qualities he’s looking for when scouting young drivers, how regularly a future World Champion comes along, and some of the protégés currently on Mercedes’ radar. Plus, you’ll hear the thoughts of Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, on their recruitment strategy and whether Max Verstappen could have ended up at the team in different circumstances.

Mick Doohan: a five-time World Champion on two wheels. From 1994 to 1998, Mick Doohan transcended motorbike racing as he won the 500cc World Championship five years in a row. Like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in modern times, Mick was often invincible on the racetrack and dominated his class. The Australian also knows Formula 1 inside out. He’s spent more than 30 years in the paddock and, with his son Jack looking to climb from F2 to F1, he’s still ever-present today. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Mick discusses how his winning mentality compares to some of F1’s greatest champions. He talks about his very close friendship with Michael Schumacher, what it was like to test a Williams car in 1998, Jack's development with Alpine, how two wheels compares to four, and much more.

Adrian Newey: legendary F1 designer. Adrian Newey is one of the greatest Formula 1 designers of all time. During his time at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull Racing, Newey’s cars have won 12 Constructors’ titles and seven different drivers have become World Champion in his masterpieces. More than 40 years on from the start of his career, he’s created the championship-winning Red Bull that has completely obliterated its opposition and ripped up the history books in 2023. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Adrian explains why they’ve been so dominant this year and the thought-processes he goes through when designing an F1 car. He reflects on how and when his passion for designing began, where his competitiveness comes from, why he’s had so much success over a long period of time, and much more.

George Russell: happier, hungrier + ‘holding his own’ with Hamilton. George 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.

Vitantonio Liuzzi: chasing a ‘life-changing’ F1 podium. Red Bull were midfield minnows in the early years of their F1 mission to becoming the serial World Champions they are today. But during those humble beginnings, the team was renowned for nurturing young talent like Vitantonio Liuzzi. The Italian drove for Red Bull and their sister outfit, Toro Rosso, among others in a Formula 1 career spanning 12 years. Liuzzi was unable to replicate the success he had at junior level, but looks back at his time in the sport with fond memories when speaking to Tom Clarkson. He talks about Red Bull’s party reputation, politics within the team, his sour exit from Toro Rosso in 2007 and a number of missed opportunities to finish on the podium. Plus, hear Liuzzi relive his famous victory over Michael Schumacher in the Karting World Championship finals.

Andrea Stella: transforming McLaren. Andrea Stella’s first season as McLaren Team Principal has been pretty phenomenal when you compare their start to the season to where they are now. After finishing outside of the points in five of the first eight races, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are now fighting for podiums almost every week. So how have they produced such an incredible turnaround in performance? Stella provides Tom Clarkson with a revealing insight into the culture he’s creating at McLaren, and how his experience of winning World Championships with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari can help him make the team a winning machine. Hear why he describes Schumacher as the ‘emotional engine’ during their time together, what made Ferrari so dominant back then, and why they weren’t able to repeat that success with Fernando Alonso later on. Plus, Stella tells us Norris and Piastri’s greatest strengths, what fans can expect from the Papaya outfit in 2024, and much more.

Liam Lawson: thrilled but ‘unfulfilled’ by F1 debut. Liam Lawson passed his first Formula 1 exam with flying colours in 2023. His performances in Daniel Ricciardo’s absence vindicated Red Bull’s faith in the New Zealander and suggests we’ve not seen the last of him in an F1 car. ‘Frustrated’ at not having a seat on the grid for 2024, Lawson is clearly very determined to return to the pinnacle of motorsport as soon as possible. He tells Tom Clarkson how he felt when receiving the call-up at Zandvoort, what he’s learned from the five Grands Prix he raced in, why he wants to inspire young racers in New Zealand, his hopes for 2024, and much more.

Enrique Bernoldi: the unsung driver from one of F1’s greatest rookie classes. With no World Championship points from 28 Grand Prix starts, it’s fair to say Enrique Bernoldi’s Formula 1 career took a very different path to Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya – his fellow rookies in 2001. But the Brazilian still grabbed plenty of headlines during his brief stint in the fast lane with Arrows. Hear why Enrique was at the centre of a decision that changed the course of Red Bull’s F1 existence, and the gripping tale of his heated encounter with Ron Dennis at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2001. Plus, Bernoldi tells Tom Clarkson why he didn’t succeed in F1, what led to his fallout with teammate Jos Verstappen, and much more.

Pierre Gasly: wanting to win again in 2024. Few drivers on the current F1 grid have experienced highs and lows like Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman returns to F1 Beyond The Grid for the first time since 2018, and there's plenty for him and Tom Clarkson to catch up on. Pierre reflects on losing his seat at Red Bull, the passing of his close friend Anthoine Hubert, and the day he became a Grand Prix winner. Now embracing a new challenge with Alpine, Pierre also discusses the ups and downs of his first season, his relationship with teammate Esteban Ocon, and his targets for 2024. Plus, hear what it was like to have dinner with all the drivers for Sebastian Vettel’s retirement in Abu Dhabi, and much more.

Mario Andretti: 45 years since 78’s glory and grief. In 1978, racing against some of the best drivers in Formula 1 history, Mario Andretti became World Champion. His victory was a long-held dream, but it was darkened by the death of his teammate. Looking back 45 years, Mario remembers a season of intense emotions. He tells Tom Clarkson about his preparations for racing in Europe, his relationship with his visionary team boss, Colin Chapman, and how he made changes to the set-up of his Lotus to gain a crucial advantage over his rivals. Mario shares his memories of battling brake problems to win the championship at Monza, then learning that his teammate and close friend Ronnie Peterson had lost his life after a crash. Plus, Mario picks out the current F1 drivers who impress him most and remembers F1’s previous races in Las Vegas in the early 1980s.

Franz Tost: a leader who launched champions. He’s the second longest-serving Team Principal in the 2023 Formula 1 paddock, but after 18 years in charge of AlphaTauri and Toro Rosso, Franz Tost is hanging up his pitwall headphones. Ahead of his final race in Abu Dhabi, Tost sits down with Tom Clarkson to talk about the highs and lows of leading the team from its inception. Hear about Franz’s sometimes challenging relationship with senior team Red Bull Racing, his team's sensational Grand Prix wins at Monza in 2008 and 2020, and how he helped launch the careers of multiple World Champions, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Franz gives his views on what's next for current AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda and 2023's stand-in star, Liam Lawson. Plus, the Austrian tells Tom which of the 17 drivers he’s worked with have impressed him the most and his five stages of development for rookies.

Bernie Collins: strategy risks, racing rewards + the pressure of the pitwall. She didn’t set out to be a Grand Prix-winning Formula 1 strategist, but Bernie Collins raced to the very top. She pulled the strategy strings at Force India, Racing Point and Aston Martin, masterminded an emotional race win with Sergio Perez, and guided Sebastian Vettel to his final F1 podium. Bernie tells Tom Clarkson how she and her fellow strategists prepared for races, reacted to the on-track action, and balanced risk and reward to get the best result possible. Bernie remembers her deep-end debut as a race strategist, how competing at the front of the field brings extra pressure, why working at one of F1’s smaller teams ‘made her career’ and what she learned working with Perez, Vettel and Jenson Button. Bernie also explains how an interest in maths and physics led her to study mechanical engineering at university, then to move into motorsport and, ultimately, reach Formula 1.

Daniel Ricciardo: dreaming of a ‘perfect’ Red Bull return. The 2022 Formula 1 season pushed Daniel Ricciardo to the limit. Under immense pressure at McLaren, he failed to reach the performance levels that had made him an eight-time Grand Prix winner. Left without a seat on the grid for 2023, the Australian’s future in the sport was questioned. Ricciardo took some much-needed time away to enjoy life as a normal person, but he’s far more suited to life in the fast lane. Now he’s back to revive his F1 career at AlphaTauri and prove he can still compete with the very best. Daniel tells Tom Clarkson what he got up to during his sabbatical and why a trip to the Super Bowl ignited a desire to get back in the cockpit. The Honey Badger talks about a change in mentality, the crash that broke his hand at Zandvoort, his Formula 1 endgame, and much more.

Red Bull’s revolutionary race car, McLaren’s miraculous transformation & Aston Martin’s sensational rise. On F1 BTG in 2023, the stars behind the biggest stories of the season have sat down with Tom Clarkson to reveal the secrets behind their success and share fascinating insight into what life is like as an F1 driver, Team Principal, engineer, designer, and more. In this year-end special, Tom picks his favourite moments from a long list of stellar guests. Oscar Piastri underlined his credentials as a future GP winner with arguably the most impressive rookie season since Lewis Hamilton in 2007, but did you know the Australian’s route to F1 began in the same way as Lewis? Hear how Adrian Newey began designing at the age of 11. And listen to Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur explain how he handles the pressure of making the most successful Constructor in the sport’s history champions again. Also featured are heroes from the past – including Champions Alain Prost & Sir Jackie Stewart.