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What really happens on the grid before a race? How do Formula 1 teams scout their future stars? How are drivers coached to go faster? In 2024, F1 Explains answered these questions and many more sent in by F1 fans from all over the world.
F1 Explains takes your questions and finds the experts to answer them. In this special episode, presenters Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne have picked the most fascinating moments from the podcast's second season:
Liam Lawson on how drivers find the racing lineOllie Bearman reveals Ferrari's young driver scouting campsOscar Piastri on how F2 prepared him to win in F1Jack Doohan explains braking at 200mphBernie Collins' guide to the F1 pit lanePlanning the F1 calendarHow performance engineers coach drivers to go fasterWhat happens on the grid in the minutes before the race startListen to previous episodes of F1 Explains here
Whether you're a new F1 fan or a long-time follower, there's always something more to learn. If you have a question you'd like F1 Explains to answer, send it as an email or a voice note to [email protected]
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A driver market for the ages, Verstappen at his very best, emotional race wins, new Constructor World Champions and the end of some iconic eras. The 2024 Formula 1 season was sensational.
On F1 Beyond The Grid, the stars of this dramatic year of racing have sat down with Tom Clarkson, revealing what it’s like being at the centre of the biggest stories of the season and sharing fascinating insight into what life is like as a Formula 1 driver, Team Principal, engineer, designer, and more. In this end-of year special, Tom picks his favourite moments from a long list of stellar guests.
Fernando Alonso reflects on becoming the first driver in F1 history to compete in 400 Grands Prix and why he nearly retired much earlier in his career. Carlos Sainz explains how he recovered from physical and mental setbacks to win multiple races. And Ollie Bearman describes what it was really like making his F1 debut at such short notice in Saudi Arabia.
As well as today’s big names, legends of the past like Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard relive their career-defining moments. Plus, you’ll hear memories of Lewis Hamilton’s time at Mercedes and Bruno Senna’s stories of growing up with his uncle Ayrton, 30 years on from his death.
Thank you for listening in 2024. F1 Beyond The Grid will return in 2025.
To hear the full interviews with the guests featured in this show, click on the links below…
Toto Wolff
Charles Leclerc
Carlos Sainz
Juan Pablo Montoya
David Coulthard
Bruno Senna
Fernando Alonso
Andy Stevenson
Ollie Bearman
Ayao Komatsu
Tom Stallard
Paul Monaghan
Listen to more official F1 Podcasts
F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock
F1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
Experience F1 live
Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
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Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes: their names are together forever in the Formula 1 record books. As the most successful team and driver partnership in the sport's history comes to an end, some of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes colleagues tell Tom Clarkson their stories of working with him:
Toto Wolff – Team Principal, on how Lewis got stronger every year of their partnership
Andrew Shovlin – Trackside Engineering Director, who was on the pit wall for all of Lewis’ history-making races
Clare Robertson – Head of Communications. She first met Lewis when he was 15, and has worked with him since his days at McLaren
Victoria Johnson – Marketing Operations Director, who's seen Hamilton go from Formula 1 driver to global icon
Stephen Lord - Race Team Co-ordinator, one of Lewis' closest colleagues, on the grid with him for every Grand Prix
Listen to more official F1 Podcasts
F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock
F1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
Experience F1 live
Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
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2024 has been a turbulent year for Carlos Sainz.
It started with a shock: Lewis Hamilton would be replacing him at Ferrari in 2025. Then he missed a race with appendicitis. But the year is ending with multiple wins and podiums to look back on, and an exciting new challenge to look forward to with Williams next season.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Carlos talks about his feelings after finding out Hamilton was taking his seat, the pain he suffered after his operation and how he came back from those physical and emotional setbacks to take victories in Australia and Mexico, and secure his future in Formula 1.
As well as reflecting on a special four years with Ferrari, Sainz is also relishing his next chapter. What can he achieve with Williams? How does he rate new teammate Alex Albon? And will he cope with not fighting at the front of the grid?
Related Episodes
Charles Leclerc
James Vowles
Alex Albon
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F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock
F1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
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2024 has been a rollercoaster for this week’s guest on F1 Beyond The Grid. While the end of the season provides a chance for reflection, he’s also looking forward to an exciting new venture in 2025.
Hear a preview of the episode with Tom Clarkson now and then you can listen to the conversation in full on your podcast app, or watch on the official F1 YouTube channel, from Wednesday 4th December.
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F1 Beyond The Grid - exclusive interviews with F1's biggest stars.
F1 Explains - your F1 questions, answered by experts
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This episode is brought to you by Salesforce, a Global Partner of Formula 1®
Aston Martin Sporting Director Andy Stevenson reached a huge milestone in Las Vegas, working at his 600th Grand Prix. It’s a sensational achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that all 600 races have been with the same team.
A driver winning with a broken leg, another going to jail halfway through the season, preparing a future seven-time World Champion for his debut… Andy has seen everything Formula 1 has to offer over the last 33 years in the paddock.
Sharing fascinating and surreal anecdotes with Tom Clarkson, he talks about Eddie Jordan not liking him when he first joined ‘Team Silverstone’, how they’ve evolved since their F1 debut in 1991, why he’s stayed there for his whole career, what it’s like working with Crohn’s disease, and much more.
Related Episodes
Fernando Alonso, on racing in 400 Grands Prix
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F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock
F1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
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Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
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Why did Oliver Oakes become Alpine Team Principal? How does his background as a racing driver and team owner prepare him for this new challenge? And what are his priorities in 2025 and beyond?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson at the team’s headquarters in Enstone, Oakes answers all the key questions around Alpine’s future with him at the helm.
Oli discusses his mixed feelings after their double podium in Brazil, why Alpine have chosen Mercedes as their power unit supplier from 2026, whether Pierre Gasly is ready to lead the team next season, and much more.
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He’s one of the most experienced drivers in F1 history, who won races for championship teams Ferrari and Brawn GP.
During his long career, Rubens Barrichello had to cope with the loss of his legendary countryman, Ayrton Senna, and the challenge of carrying the hopes of Brazilian fans afterwards. At Ferrari, Rubens went up against a dominant Michael Schumacher, and while he never won a title, he proved he could match his teammate on his day.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Rubens reflects on some of the highs and lows of his career, the long shadow cast by the death of Senna, and the pressure and pride he felt racing for Brazil’s passionate F1 fans.
10 Teams, 20 Drivers, 1 Massive Season Launch
A groundbreaking season launch event at London’s The O2 – featuring all the teams, their drivers and team bosses, plus top entertainment – ahead of the 2025 campaign.
18.02.25!
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Nephew of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson and son of Brazilian F1 team owner Wilson, Christian Fittipaldi was destined to follow in his family’s footsteps and race in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson in his home city of Sao Paulo, Christian reflects on his three seasons on the grid with the Footwork and Minardi teams in the early 1990’s. He talks about what it was like growing up in such an iconic racing family and the pressure he experienced carrying the Fittipaldi name, how he recovered from two serious crashes at Magny Cours and Monza, and why he walked away from F1 at the end of 1994 despite opportunities to stay.
Plus, Christian describes how Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola in ‘94 affected him personally and whether he felt a weight of expectation to be the next Senna.
Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Beyond The Grid - exclusive interviews with F1's biggest starsF1 Nation - expert race previews and reviewsExperience F1 live
Tickets for the end of the 2024 F1 season and the start of 2025 are available now at tickets.formula1.com
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Despite being a hugely versatile racing driver, who competed in Formula 3000, IndyCar, Sports Cars and Touring Cars, Christian Danner was unable to showcase his full potential in Formula 1 in the mid-late 1980s.
During an era characterised by poor reliability and pre-qualifying, he either failed to start many of the races he entered, or he failed to finish them. But that certainly doesn’t mean he’s short of some fascinating tales from his time in the sport.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Christian remembers becoming the first F1 driver to be disqualified for dangerous driving and how Ayrton Senna leapt to his defence. He also talks about the opposition he faced from the media back home in Germany, why Zakspeed teammate Martin Brundle kept him on his toes , how he climbed from P26 on the grid to a career-best finish of P4 at the US Grand Prix in 1989, and much more.
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Fernando Alonso will become the first driver in Formula 1 history to compete in 400 Grands Prix when he races in Mexico this weekend.
It’s a monumental milestone that even Alonso didn’t think he’d reach. Hear why the two-time World Champion thought he’d leave F1 at the end of 2009 and how changes in his relationship with the sport have prolonged his career.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Fernando reflects on the most poignant moments from an eventful 21 seasons on the grid - revealing fascinating details about his secret meetings with Red Bull, whether he regrets turning them down for Ferrari, the one race he tried to win the most and why he needed reassurance during his comeback in 2021.
Plus, the Spaniard talks about the impact Adrian Newey will have on Aston Martin and how the legendary designer’s arrival at the team affects his own future.
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This week’s guest on F1 Beyond The Grid will make history at the Mexico City Grand Prix – how did he get this far and what’s next?
Hear a preview of the episode with Tom Clarkson now and then you can listen to the conversation in full on your podcast app, or watch on the official F1 YouTube channel from Wednesday 23rd October.
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Tom Stallard, Oscar Piastri’s race engineer and McLaren’s Director of Human Performance, is a man of many talents.
As a professional rower, he won an Olympic silver medal and became World Champion. As an engineer in Formula 1, he’s won races with some of the sport’s most talented drivers and has played a huge part in McLaren’s transformation into title contenders.
So why did Tom make such a big career change and how does working in F1 compare to rowing?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson at McLaren’s headquarters, Stallard talks about his gruelling fitness regime as an Olympic rower, what a race engineer’s relationship with their driver is all about, working with the likes of Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz, how Oscar Piastri is galvanising the team now, and much more.
More official F1 PodcastsF1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddockF1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
Be there when the 2024 F1 World Champion is crowned
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After a decade of highs and lows as Haas Team Principal, Guenther Steiner has changed lanes. Now he’s an author and broadcaster with a new perspective on the drivers, the teams and the bosses he previously saw as rivals.
Talking to Tom Clarkson, Guenther looks back at his time at Haas, from their stunning points-scoring debut in 2016, through triumphs, frustrations and low moments, to his departure and what he’s doing today. He explains why he feels he stayed at Haas too long, picks the driver he thinks is the best in the current field, the Team Principals who impress him most and looks forward to what he might do next.
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‘For 2025, I think we have the best driver line-up on the grid’. Williams Team Principal James Vowles is confident. Race-winner Carlos Sainz joins proven performer Alex Albon next year – a combination of speed and experience Vowles believes will drive Williams forward. He tells Tom Clarkson his long-term vision for the historic team.
2024 has been a year of big decisions for Williams. Vowles explains asking Logan Sargeant to stand aside so Alex Albon could race in Australia, replacing Sargeant mid-way through the season, bringing in Franco Colapinto and signing Sainz for 2025.
More official F1 PodcastsF1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddockF1 Explains - answering your questions about Formula 1
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Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner gives Tom Clarkson and Damon Hill the inside story on the decision to replace Daniel Ricciardo with Liam Lawson at RB.
Horner reveals the race when pressure began to mount on the Australian, and why Ricciardo was replaced with six races remaining. With one eye on 2025 and the future of the Red Bull driver line up, is this a chance for Liam Lawson to stake a claim for a permanent race seat?
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Points on his surprise debut with Ferrari. Another top 10 with Haas. Ollie Bearman has made a flying start in Formula 1. In 2025 with Haas, he’s got the chance to show what he can do every race weekend.
Ollie tells Tom Clarkson about stepping up from Formula 2, handling the pressure when he got the last-minute call to race for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, the advice Charles Leclerc gave him, and how his race for Haas in Azerbaijan felt different.
He remembers moving from the UK to go racing in Italy, and looks forward to starting his first full F1 season.
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For a driver who only qualified for nine Formula 1 races in three seasons, German racing legend Bernd Schneider sure has some epic stories from his short stint on the grid in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Schneider talks about how close he came to denying Michael Schumacher his F1 debut and the huge contract Eddie Jordan offered him to return to the sport.
Bernd, who went on to become a five-time DTM champion with Mercedes-Benz after his F1 career finished, also reveals how he was nearly partly responsible for Mercedes pulling out of all motorsport after their car flipped several times at Le Mans in 1999 and what it was like to be teammates with icons Mika Hakkinen, Mark Webber and Jean Alesi.
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Just 19 months after making his debut with Renault, Jolyon Palmer lost his seat with four races of the 2017 season still remaining and his Formula 1 career was over.
So where did it all go wrong for the 2014 GP2 champion?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Palmer dissects all the ups and downs of his year and a half on the grid. He talks about facing unique challenges to prove his worth on track, why he describes former teammate Nico Hulkenberg as a ‘career-killer’, when he stopped enjoying racing and the controversial way in which he found out he was being replaced by Carlos Sainz.
Jolyon also shares his thoughts on the current crop of F1 drivers and what he enjoys about being a commentator on F1TV.
LISTEN: ADRIAN NEWEY JOINS ASTON MARTIN
Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa reacts to the news that legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey will join the team from March 2025 on this week's F1 Nation with Tom Clarkson.
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Now in his fourth year as a Formula 1 driver, Yuki Tsunoda says he’s starting to show his ‘full potential’.
Frequently beating his VCARB teammate, eight-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo, in qualifying and on race day, the Japanese star’s driving has attracted a lot of attention in 2024.
So how and why has Yuki improved so much and what does his future hold? Is promotion to VCARB's senior team, Red Bull Racing, still his priority or will he have to find opportunities elsewhere?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Yuki explains how he's made so much progress on track, why VCARB is a very different team now than in 2023 and the next steps he's planning to further his career. - Vis mere
