F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast By Formula 1 cover art

F1 Beyond The Grid

F1 Beyond The Grid

By: Formula 1
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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.

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An official Formula 1 podcast. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to F1 Explains Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Laurent Mekies: relishing Red Bull challenge

    Laurent Mekies: relishing Red Bull challenge
    Mar 31 2026
    Red Bull Racing were at a crossroads when Laurent Mekies took over as Team Principal halfway through 2025. After a difficult first half of the season, should they continue working on their 2025 car or write that year off and prioritise the new regulations for 2026?
    Their decision to stay focussed on the ‘25 car paid off, with Max Verstappen going from more than 100 points behind to missing out on the title by just two points. But in this new era of Formula 1, Red Bull have fallen down the pecking order after a difficult start to the season.
    Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Laurent explains why they didn’t switch full focus to 2026 earlier and whether they’re now paying the price for last year’s turnaround.
    Laurent also talks about how different his experience as a Team Principal is at Red Bull compared to Racing Bulls. He shares insight into what Max Verstappen is like outside of the car, the Dutchman’s future with the team and how Isack Hadjar is settling into his new surroundings.

    Plus, with Red Bull making their own power units for the first time this year, Laurent tells Tom why he describes their Powertrains project as a ‘crazy challenge’ that only a team like Red Bull could take on.

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    49 mins
  • Ayao Komatsu: aiming high with Haas

    Ayao Komatsu: aiming high with Haas
    Mar 25 2026
    Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu is Tom Clarkson’s guest on this week’s F1 Beyond The Grid.
    Ayao has been with Haas since their debut season 10 years ago, but he’s only been in charge since 2024. What has he learned about leadership in that time? How did he guide the team’s recovery from such a difficult start last season? And what are Haas’ targets in the new era of Formula 1?
    As for the drivers, Ayao tells Tom what he wants to see from Esteban Ocon this year and how long they can hold on to Ollie Bearman if his eye-catching performances continue.

    Ayao also reveals a lot about his relationship with owner Gene Haas and what Toyota bring to the table as the team’s technical partner.

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    1 hr
  • LEGENDS: How Jacques Villeneuve shook up F1

    LEGENDS: How Jacques Villeneuve shook up F1
    Mar 18 2026

    The son of a motorsport legend, a racer since childhood, Formula 1 was Jacques Villeneuve's destiny. In 1996, the young Canadian arrived at his first Grand Prix and immediately proved he belonged there by taking pole position.

    In his rookie season Villeneuve won races, went wheel-to-wheel with Michael Schumacher and took Williams teammate Damon Hill to a final race title-decider. 30 years on, he sits down with Tom Clarkson to remember how he shook up the sport.

    Jacques explains why he left IndyCar as reigning champion to join Williams in Formula 1, and how racing on ovals influenced how he drove Grands Prix. He talks about working with race engineer Jock Clear, and experimenting with his throttle pedal and steering wheel paddles to find extra performance.

    Tom asks Jacques about the highlights of his first year in F1: his first pole position, his first race win and the spectacular pass he made on Michael Schumacher - an overtaking move still regarded as one of the best in F1 history.

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    44 mins
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Why would a US born driver go to f1? There is a wide competitive gap amoung the f1teams. We have our own multiple racing series here that are more competitive than f1 on its most exciting day. Much chraper to go too btw. Send more drivers! We'd be happy to have them. No matter what team they're on in Indy they have a chance to win on any day. F1 is an engineering series. What f1 has are the best and brightest engineers the world. Dont confuse the drivers with the engineers

Why would they?

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I love to hear authentic interviews on the drivers. Beyond the grid is a great addition to audible. Love Charles quote: “Find something within you. Whether it’s in the bad days or good days.”

Love it.

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