Laurent Mekies: Ricciardo, Tsunoda + RB’s mission

Mario Andretti was 10 years old when the first ever Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix took place at Silverstone, on the 13th of May 1950. The 1978 World Champion has seen everything the pinnacle of motorsport has to offer over the past 75 years, and is one of just 34 drivers to win the ultimate prize, so he’s the perfect person to celebrate such a landmark anniversary. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Mario charts the history of F1 through his eyes. He explains how different the cars felt to drive in different eras of technical innovations, what it was like to compete in a very dangerous period of racing, and how safety improved over time. Mario also talks about what made World Champions Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Sir Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher so special. Plus, he looks to the future of F1 – telling Tom about his role in the new Cadillac F1 team that will join the grid in 2026 and what they need to hit the ground running. This episode is sponsored by: MasterClass: see MasterClass’s latest deal–at least 15% off–at masterclass.com/GRID 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 Indeed: listeners of this show will get a seventy-five dollar sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/GRID

13 Maj 54min

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! Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: VANTA: For a limited time, listeners get $1000 off at vanta.com/grid  LIQUID I.V.: Get 20% off your first order of when you go to liquidiv.com and use code GRID at checkout.

6 Maj 59min

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

29 Apr 53min

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 THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/beyondthegrid

22 Apr 53min

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

15 Apr 55min

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.

14 Apr 1min

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

8 Apr 52min

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

1 Apr 1h 7min