F1 Beyond The Grid

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. Related Episodes Alex Albon  Esteban Ocon  George Russell  Toto Wolff This episode is sponsored by: Mercedes AMG-SL: test drive the AMG SL today at your local authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer or learn more at MBUSA.com/AMG-SL Santander: want to win exclusive Formula 1 experiences and money-can’t-buy prizes just by answering questions about F1? With Santander Lap Zero, you can be in with a chance. For more information, competition rules. full terms and conditions and to enter go to santanderlapzero.com. That’s santanderlapzero.com or search Santander Lap Zero

12 Sep 202358min

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. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Nico’s first BTG appearance  Guenther Steiner Kevin Magnussen

5 Sep 202349min

Which Formula 1 veteran is joining Tom Clarkson for this week's episode of F1 Beyond The Grid? Find out here and then listen to the full episode on Wednesday 6th September.  Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid using #F1BeyondTheGrid.

4 Sep 20231min

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. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Charles Leclerc, ‘2nd isn’t enough’  Carlos Sainz  Fred’s previous F1 BTG appearance  This episode is sponsored by:  Factor: Head to factormeals.com/btg50 and use code btg50 to get 50% off  Bitdefender: visit Bitdefender.com to learn more about how Bitdefender supports Ferrari to stay ahead of cyber threats and how YOU can make your digital life safer

29 Aug 202346min

Does this person have the most scrutinised job in Formula 1?  Judge for yourself when the full episode comes out on Wednesday 30th August. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid using #F1BeyondTheGrid.

28 Aug 20231min

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. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Eddie Jordan, Heinz-Harald’s boss at Jordan  Alain Prost, four-time World Champion and owner of Prost Racing  Jacques Villeneuve, Heinz-Harald’s teammate  Sam Michael, race engineer for Heinz-Harald at Jordan  This episode is sponsored by:  Philips OneBlade: if you live life at F1 speeds, you need the Philips OneBlade. Available at bol.com and Kruidvat. Shopify: sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beyondthegrid Mercedes AMG-SL: test drive the AMG SL today at your local authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer or learn more at MBUSA.com/AMG-SL Santander: want to win exclusive Formula 1 experiences and money-can’t-buy prizes just by answering questions about F1? With Santander Lap Zero, you can be in with a chance. For more information, competition rules. full terms and conditions and to enter go to santanderlapzero.com. That’s santanderlapzero.com or search Santander Lap Zero

22 Aug 20231h 20min

A three-time F1 winner gives F1 Beyond The Grid his first in-depth interview for 20 years, but who is it?  Find out here, then listen to the full episode on Wednesday 23rd August. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid using #F1BeyondTheGrid.

22 Aug 20231min

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. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related Episodes Bernie Ecclestone Damon Hill  Jochen Rindt Remembered

1 Aug 20231h 15min