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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Formula 1's fastest stars 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
Episodes
  • Alex Albon: changing people's perceptions

    Alex Albon: changing people's perceptions
    Jul 22 2025
    Alex Albon went into 2025 facing one big question.

    With the arrival of Carlos Sainz at Williams, how would he measure up against his most competitive teammate since racing alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull?

    So far, Alex has answered that question on track – having the edge over Carlos in qualifying and on race day in the first half of the season.

    But Alex never doubted his ability to rise to that challenge. So, is he a better driver than last year or are we just appreciating his talent more?

    Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Alex talks about what it’s like having Carlos on the other side of the garage, what changes he has made to his approach this year, why the culture and energy at Williams feels different, and how his relationship with Team Principal James Vowles is growing.

    Plus, Alex also looks ahead to 2026 and the arrival of new cars and regulations. Will next season be his time to shine?

    It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there!
    Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

    Listen to more official F1 podcasts
    Every race analysed on F1 Nation
    Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains

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    53 mins
  • Perry McCarthy: driving for 90s non-starters Andrea Moda

    Perry McCarthy: driving for 90s non-starters Andrea Moda
    Jul 15 2025
    He drove for one of the least competitive teams in F1 history. He never started a race. Just making it to Formula 1 was ‘a million to one’ shot for Perry McCarthy. Through extraordinary determination, he did it.
    When his raw talent behind the wheel was spotted at his local racetrack, McCarthy set his sights on racing at the top. He worked on a North Sea oil rig to raise money to fund his career. Racing in Formula 3000 and sports cars in America led to a chance in F1 with Andrea Moda – a team which only raced for one season in 1992. When Perry made it to the track, the car either broke down or was too slow to make it through an extra ‘pre-qualifying’ session.
    From climbing the motorsport ladder with drivers including Damon Hill, to testing with Michael Schumacher at Benetton, and later becoming the mysterious ‘Stig’ on TV’s Top Gear, Perry tells Tom Clarkson an eye-opening story from a different era of Formula 1.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Anthony Davidson: reaching the pinnacle through talent + testing

    Anthony Davidson: reaching the pinnacle through talent + testing
    Jul 8 2025
    Racing twice in 2002 with Minardi and once again three years later with BAR Honda in 2005, Anthony Davidson’s Formula 1 career had a few false starts. But in 2007, he finally got a full-time shot with Super Aguri.

    Although his F1 career ended just over a year later, Anthony is rightly proud to have reached the top of motorsport.

    Speaking to Tom Clarkson, he discusses the ups and down of his time in F1 – telling us why he was a better test driver than racing driver, how his incredibly short-notice cameo at the 2005 Malaysian Grand Prix came about, why a groundhog cost him his best ever finish in F1, and what it was like to be involved in the so-called ‘Tyre War era’ of Formula 1.

    Anthony also opens up about winning the World Endurance Championship with Sebastian Buemi in 2014 and why that meant so much to him having felt like ‘everything was lost’ after F1.

    Now a simulator driver for Mercedes, Ant explains how much the sim technology has improved over time, what impact his work has on Mercedes’ performance during race weekends and whether sim racing makes Max Verstappen a better driver.

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    It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there!
    Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

    Listen to more official F1 podcasts
    Every race analysed on F1 Nation
    Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains

    This episode is sponsored by:

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    1 hr and 17 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
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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