Mattia Binotto: ‘Audi are serious’ about F1 success

LEGENDS: Giancarlo Fisichella on winning for Italy + Antonelli’s potential

Jul 7, 202641 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, former Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella joins host Tom Clarkson to reflect on his storied career and share his perspective on the current state of Formula 1. A major focus of the conversation is the impressive rise of Kimi Antonelli, whom Fisichella praises as a clever and exceptionally quick talent. Having spent twenty years as the last Italian to win a Grand Prix, Fisichella expresses his joy at seeing a fellow countryman succeeding at the highest level, noting that Antonelli’s ability to manage pressure at such a young age is remarkable. The pair also dives into the nuances of the driver-team dynamic, with Fisichella sharing anecdotes about his former partnership with Fernando Alonso at Renault. He emphasizes that mutual respect and collaborative development were the cornerstones of their success. The discussion further touches on the evolution of driving standards, the unique intensity of racing for Ferrari, and the lasting impacts of veterans like Lewis Hamilton and Alonso. Fisichella offers insight into what it takes to excel across different eras and vehicles, providing a thoughtful look at the dedication required to remain competitive in a rapidly changing sport.

Lando Norris: ‘success is addictive’

Jun 30, 202646 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, Lando Norris reflects on his evolution as a Formula One driver and the profound impact of achieving his dream of becoming a world champion. Norris candidly discusses how success has proven to be an addictive force, fueling his desire to remain at the pinnacle of the sport. He shares his perspective on the surreal nature of his global recognition, including his experience having a wax figure created in his likeness, while emphasizing his desire to stay grounded and connected to his roots. A central theme of the conversation is his deep loyalty to McLaren. Norris highlights the importance of the team’s resurgence, crediting team principal Andrea Stella for fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and high performance. He offers insight into how Stella’s leadership style has not only improved the team’s results but has also been instrumental in his own development as a driver and an individual. Looking toward the future, Norris discusses the balance between his professional ambitions and his personal life, affirming his long-term commitment to his current team and his relentless drive to keep winning.

Flavio Briatore: growing Alpine with Colapinto, Gasly + Gucci

Jun 23, 202627 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, Flavio Briatore joins to discuss the ambitious revitalization of the Alpine Formula One team. Reflecting on his return to the sport, Briatore details his strategy for rebuilding the Enstone-based outfit, emphasizing that the DNA of success remains rooted in managing people, transparency, and high motivation, rather than just technical infrastructure. The conversation covers Alpine's current upward trajectory, aided by a transition to Mercedes power units and a strong driver pairing. Briatore shares his candid perspective on his drivers, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, identifying Gasly as a natural team leader and explaining his intensive approach to mentoring Colapinto. The discussion also touches on the team's high-profile partnership with Gucci, which Briatore views as a significant step in elevating the Alpine brand as a luxury lifestyle powerhouse. Throughout the interview, Briatore contrasts the modern management of Formula One under Stefano Domenicali with the sport's past, while reiterating his belief that the ultimate goal is to foster a competitive, high-performance environment capable of challenging for titles in the future.

Tom Kristensen: the best who never raced in F1?

Jun 16, 202655 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, host Tom Clarkson welcomes legendary endurance racer Tom Kristensen to reflect on his illustrious career and his unique relationship with Formula One. Often cited as the greatest driver to never hold a permanent F1 race seat, Kristensen discusses his parallel path to icons like Michael Schumacher and the circumstances that kept him in sports car racing, where he ultimately secured a record-breaking nine victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The conversation covers Kristensen’s early career in Germany and Japan, his pivotal testing roles for teams like Minardi and Williams, and the tough financial and personal choices that prevented him from pursuing a full-time F1 drive. Kristensen provides candid insights into the evolution of racing technology, the rigors of modern simulators, and the physical demands of high-downforce cars. He also shares the thrill of his recent, unexpected test session in a modern McLaren at the Red Bull Ring, highlighting the exhilarating physical challenge of returning to an F1 cockpit. It is a fascinating look at the "what ifs" of a career defined by massive success in sports cars and a profound love for the sport of racing.

Alex Albon: making history with Williams

Jun 9, 202640 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, Alex Albon joins the host to discuss his journey with Williams and his evolution as a Formula One driver. Reflecting on his time with the team since 2022, Albon touches on the significance of becoming the driver with the most race starts in Williams history. He speaks candidly about the team’s current position, explaining that their recent struggles are the result of ambitious risk-taking and procedural bottlenecks rather than a lack of intent. He remains optimistic, highlighting the team’s ongoing recruitment efforts and their commitment to long-term progress. The conversation also delves into Albon’s personal growth and his partnership with teammate Carlos Sainz. He describes how their combined experience and open communication have been instrumental in driving the team forward. Albon shares insights into how his maturity, deeper engineering understanding, and increased self-confidence distinguish the current version of himself from his earlier years in the sport. Ultimately, Albon expresses a strong desire to continue his journey with Williams, emphasizing that he views his work there as unfinished business and remains dedicated to seeing the team return to the front of the grid.

Alex Albon: on the cusp of history with Williams

Jun 9, 202640 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, Alex Albon joins host Tom Clarkson to discuss his journey with Williams, his evolution as a driver, and the team's future ambitions. As Albon prepares to become the driver with the most race starts in Williams' history, he reflects on the significance of this milestone and the trust the team placed in him when he returned to the grid in 2022. The conversation delves into the team’s current performance challenges, with Albon candidly explaining that the Williams squad has been overly ambitious in its development, leading to logistical bottlenecks. He highlights the importance of the team’s recent recruitment drive and the ongoing efforts to optimize the car's weight and technical efficiency. Albon also discusses his strong partnership with teammate Carlos Sainz, noting how their collaborative approach and shared engineering focus help drive the team forward. Finally, Albon offers a personal reflection on how his maturity, increased technical knowledge, and self-confidence have transformed him into a more proactive driver, helping him navigate the highs and lows of the sport with a long-term perspective.

LEGENDS: Jean Alesi’s one and only win

Jun 2, 202645 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, Jean Alesi reflects on his career-defining victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. The conversation centers on that remarkable day in Montreal, where Alesi secured his only Formula One win while driving for Ferrari on his 31st birthday. Alesi discusses the unique physical and mechanical challenges of the era, particularly the fragility of the V12 Ferrari and the lack of power steering, which made driving a demanding physical test of endurance. He shares insights into his driving style, often characterized by instinctive, aggressive braking, and touches upon the mutual respect and camaraderie he shared with his teammate, Gerhard Berger. The episode also highlights Alesi’s relationship with team figures like Eddie Jordan and Alain Prost, offering a candid look at the intense internal politics and rivalries of 1990s F1. Beyond the technical memories, Alesi vividly describes the overwhelming emotion of winning in front of the passionate Canadian crowd and the surreal celebratory whirlwind that followed, including a post-race ride on Michael Schumacher’s car and a memorable visit to the Vatican.

LEGENDS: David Coulthard on finding the best seat in F1

May 19, 202650 minSummary

In this episode of F1 Beyond The Grid, former Formula One driver David Coulthard joins the host to reflect on his storied career and the complex art of navigating the sport’s driver market. Coulthard explores the vital importance of timing, preparation, and the often-overlooked necessity of racing luck. Drawing from his experiences—including his sudden promotion to Williams following Ayrton Senna’s passing and his high-profile legal move to McLaren—he sheds light on how drivers secure the best seats on the grid. The conversation delves into the professional relationships between drivers and team principals, with Coulthard sharing insights into his time with Ron Dennis and Frank Williams. He discusses the shift from being a young, unproven talent to a seasoned veteran who helped shape the identity of the Red Bull team. Beyond the cockpit, Coulthard candidly reflects on how fame, wealth, and the distractions of the paddock can affect a driver’s focus. Ultimately, he emphasizes that regardless of the external pressures, a driver’s success hinges on maintaining discipline and keeping the stopwatch and checkered flag as their only true North Stars.