F1 Beyond The Grid
Formula 1
Updated 4 days agoThe risk-takers, late-brakers and history-makers of Formula 1 slow down for in-depth interviews. Tom Clarkson brings you revealing, feature-length conversations with drivers, team bosses, engineering experts and F1 legends. Hit the follow button for the fastest way to get new episodes. Watch episodes exclusively on the F1 YouTube channel. An official Formula 1 podcast. For race reviews + previews, listen to F1 Nation. To learn more about how F1 works, listen to F1 Explains
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Episodes (429)
This week, in-depth, on F1 Beyond The Grid
You’ll hear the 60 minute interview right here on Wednesday 30th of November. Hit the follow button and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid
Guenther Steiner: maverick, making big moves at Haas
‘I do this with passion. I like to work hard’. Guenther Steiner, Haas’ straight-talking Team Principal, has had plenty of hard work to do this year. From finding a new driver on the eve of the 2022 season, to replacing Mick Schumacher with Nico Hulkenberg for 2023, Steiner has made big calls to help Haas make big moves. In great detail, he talks Tom Clarkson through his decisions, and how they’ll drive the team towards its goals. Guenther also gives his views on his fame, management style and even his merchandise. Plus insight into how F1’s smallest team go about their business, memories of an historic pole position in Brazil and reflections on Romain Grosjean’s Bahrain crash.Related episodes: Kevin Magnussen Mick Schumacher Nico HulkenbergGuenther’s first BTG interview This episode is sponsored by: SmartNews: Download SmartNews for free today in the app store to get the news that matters most. Search for it in the Apple App store for your iPhone or iPad, or Google Play store for Android users.Babbel: go to babbel.com/play, and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free.
Sebastian Vettel: around the next corner
‘I’ve thought about this so much, and it feels so right’. Sebastian Vettel is ready to say farewell to Formula 1. In a final in-depth interview with Tom Clarkson, Sebastian looks back at his entire F1 career: how he dealt with winning and losing, his rivalries and friendships with champions and teammates, and the races and moments that shaped him. He explains how ‘feeling loved’ fuelled his success, and what he’ll miss about life in F1. Sebastian also looks ahead – beyond his final chequered flag in Abu Dhabi - to what’s around the next corner.Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid on your podcast app. Share your thoughts on this episode and your memories of Sebastian Vettel’s F1 career using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Scroll through the BTG back catalogue for more interviews with stars from every era of Formula 1.Related episodes: Sebastian Vettel on Ferrari Charles Leclerc Kimi Raikkonen Fernando Alonso Mick SchumacherMark Webber Lewis HamiltonThis episode is sponsored by: Babbel: right now, Babbel is offering our listeners six months free with a purchase of a 6-month subscription, go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRIDShopify: sign up for a FREE trial at shopify.com/beyondthegrid and start selling online today
This week: a very special episode…
Listen right here on Wednesday 16th November. Follow the podcast and share it with your fellow F1 fans using #F1BeyondTheGrid
Danica Patrick: winner, leader, competitor
F1 was her ‘goal’ once upon a time, but she made history in IndyCar and NASCAR. Danica Patrick’s early racing career followed the course of so many F1 stars: karting championships, a teenage move to Europe, an impressive result at the prestigious Formula Ford Festival, and meetings with former F1 champions and team bosses. But it was back in the US that made her mark on motorsport, winning in IndyCar and leading the Indy500. Was racing in F1 ever a possibility? Danica tells Tom Clarkson about her life in racing: why oval racing differs from road course driving, how team orders may have denied her more success, and how she feels about Formula 1 today.Related episodes: Bobby Rahal – IndyCar + F1 driver, Danica’s former team bossNASCAR champion Jeff Gordon Susie WolffThis episode is sponsored by: LinkedIn Jobs: find the qualified candidates youwant to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRIDExpressVPN: go to expressvpn.com/grid today and get an extra three months free on a one-year packageRocket Money: get rid of useless subscriptions with Rocket Money now. Go to rocketmoney.com/GRID. Seriously, it could save you HUNDREDS per year
Nicholas Latifi: limits, lessons + leaving F1
A chapter is closing, but Nicholas Latifi is ready to open up. In three difficult F1 seasons, the Canadian has dealt with defeats, disappointment and being dropped by Williams. As he prepares to leave the sport at the end of 2022, Nicholas tells Tom Clarkson about the challenges and frustrations he continues to face. In deep detail, he explains why he struggles to show his speed on the racetrack, how his ‘weaknesses’ behind the wheel have been ‘exposed’, and why he’s often unable to match the achievements of his teammates. He’s quick to praise George Russell, Alex Albon and Nyck De Vries, his one-time teammate and former F2 championship rival, as well as his Williams team for supporting him. He points to performances he’s proud of which sometimes passed unnoticed and remembers times he came close to impressive results. Now, Nicholas is looking to his future. He reveals what’s driving his decision on where to continue his race.Related episodes: Alex Albon George RussellNyck De VriesJost Capito, Williams CEOThis episode is sponsored by: Rocket Money: get rid of useless subscriptions with Rocket Money now. Go to rocketmoney.com/GRID. It could save you HUNDREDS per year.Santander: CountdownToZero is a global competition for startups and scale ups looking for solutions that help the motor sport world become a more sustainable place. Ideas improving logistics or transport within the sport, projects aimed Net Zero mobility or that help offset the carbon footprint. Check out the winners at santander.com
Jan Magnussen: success, struggles + supporting Kevin
His time in F1 was brief and ‘brutal’, but he learned lessons he’s passing on to his son. Jan Magnussen, father of Haas driver Kevin, arrived in Formula 1 in the mid-1990s feeling unbeatable. His confidence came from a stunning championship-winning season in British Formula 3, in which he broke records set by the great Ayrton Senna. F1 broke that confidence. ‘I don’t think I understood the enormity of the task’ Jan tells Tom Clarkson as he honestly looks back on a difficult time with McLaren and Stewart Grand Prix. Did the early success which launched him into F1 have a downside? Did a ‘driving lesson’ from triple World Champion team boss Jackie Stewart do more harm than good? Jan remembers his sudden F1 exit, and how he rediscovered his love of racing. Today, he shares that love and the wisdom of his experience with Kevin as his father, sportscar teammate and mentor.Related episodes: Kevin Magnussen on his ‘no fear’ F1 comeback.
Nyck De Vries: seizing his 2023 F1 chance
In September 2022, Nyck De Vries got a golden opportunity. A surprise F1 debut. He knew it was a chance to change his life. His remarkable top 10 finish was just step one of his mission. In an exclusive in-depth interview, Nyck tells Tom Clarkson what he did next: the phone calls, flights, meetings and deals which have made him a 2023 AlphaTauri Formula 1 driver. He explains how advice from his friend Max Verstappen, dinners with an F1 star-maker, a personal approach to negotiations and a decision to move away from Mercedes were so important. With championship-winning speed developed in Formula 2 and Formula E, experience driving several F1 cars and a wealth of racing knowledge to draw on, F1’s newest driver is ready for his next big opportunity.Related episodesNyck’s 2023 AlphaTauri teammate, Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri Team Principal, Franz Tost Nyck’s fellow Formula 2 champions:George Russell Charles LeclercMick SchumacherThis episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: visit BetterHelp.com/grid today to get 10% off your first monthMSC Cruises: book your unforgettable cruise vacation at msccruises.comLiquid IV: get 15% off when you go to liquidiv.com and use code GRID at checkout
This week, exclusively on F1 Beyond The Grid…
Tom’s got news of this week’s in-depth interview. Hear it exclusively here on Wednesday 19th October
Karun Chandhok: dreams, deals + defying the odds
Whether he’s behind the wheel of an F1 car or analysing the action for millions on TV, Karun Chandhok is driven by his passion for racing. His love for the sport grew during his childhood in India, and it remains strong despite his frustrating time in F1, where he repeatedly defied the odds. With little money to rely on and few racing opportunities at home, Karun set out on a path which took him to Europe. GP2 wins led to a Red Bull test and a spot on the F1 grid with a brand new team in 2010. Karun tells Tom Clarkson the astonishing story of his Grand Prix debut and the struggle to even start his first race. He reflects on the deals and behind-the-scenes events at Hispania and Lotus which changed the course of his career. He sums up the experience of driving some of F1’s most legendary cars, including the ‘scary’ one, and the one that he feels is ‘a bit too perfect’. Plus, Karun explains how his love for F1 is fuelling his current work as a broadcaster, racetrack design consultant and grassroots motorsport advocate.This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE trial at shopify.com/beyondthegridLinkedIn Jobs: find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRID.
Mike Elliott: the 2022 ‘mistake’ making Mercedes stronger
As soon as the 2022 Mercedes F1 car hit the racetrack, the man who oversaw its creation realised it had problems. ‘We made a mistake’, admits Technical Director Mike Elliot. In finding fixes, Mike and his team of engineers have improved Mercedes’ results and learned a lot about themselves. Mike tells Tom Clarkson how they traced the car’s problems to a single design decision, how a year of not winning has helped the people at Mercedes develop, and how he craves a return to the team’s championship-winning form. Looking back, Mike remembers why he chose a career in F1, and the remarkable day two top teams offered him a role. That led him to work in aerodynamics for McLaren, and he recalls a surprising early conversation he had with the team’s young test driver, Lewis Hamilton. McLaren’s former leader Ron Dennis, legendary car designer Adrian Newey, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and George Russell also feature in Mike’s story. He explains how F1 engineering has become ‘more specialised’ and has advice for anyone who aspires to work in F1 car design.More BTG interviews with F1 Technical Directors:AlphaTauri’s Jody Egginton McLaren’s James Key Alpine’s Pat Fry James Allison, former Mercedes TDThis episode is sponsored by: ExpressVPN: secure your online activity by visiting ExpressVPN.com/grid TODAY and get an extra three months FREE
Martin Donnelly: unbroken and unstoppable
He’s a survivor, who fought back from a crash which could have broken his spirit. Martin Donnelly’s racing career was cut short at the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, when his Lotus left the track and hit a barrier at 160 miles per hour, throwing him from the car. Martin tells Tom Clarkson his memories of that fateful weekend, and the great lengths he went to as he tried to return to racing – including treatment from the doctor who had helped Niki Lauda after the Austrian’s life-changing crash. He reflects on his close friendship with Ayrton Senna, who rushed to the scene that day in Spain, and on his brotherhood with fellow racing drivers like Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert, alongside whom he rose to Formula 1. Support from his father and deals with shrewd team owner Eddie Jordan shaped his career. His time at the top of motorsport was short-lived, his potential never fully realised, but Martin never stopped racing.Related episodes: Eddie JordanDamon Hill Tommy ByrneJohnny Herbert Derek WarwickThis episode is sponsored by: DoorDash: use code GRID for 50% off your first order with DoorDash. Subject to change, terms apply.Emma Sleep: save 5% on top on all offers at www.emma-sleep.co.uk/grid
Christian Horner: putting Red Bull back on top
It’s been a dramatic year for Red Bull Racing, from the titanic battle Max Verstappen fought with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes for the 2021 title, to setting up their own power unit arm, before taking a commanding lead in both championships this season – with a flirtation with Porsche thrown in for good measure. Team boss Christian Horner tells host Tom Clarkson all about that incredible 2021 title fight from Red Bull’s perspective, including his thoughts on rival team boss Toto Wolff, and that intense Abu Dhabi season finale. He also reflects on whether Verstappen approaches racing Charles Leclerc differently to how he takes on Hamilton, what he makes of Daniel Ricciardo’s early McLaren exit, and why Red Bull decided now was the right time to set up their own engine division. Plus he reveals what happened to the proposed Porsche partnership, touches on some of the company’s non-F1 projects – including designing a submarine – as well as how it feels to have led the team back to the brink of championship glory once again.Related episodes: Christian Horner in 2021 and 2018Sergio Perez This episode is sponsored by: Babbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months freeLinkedIn Jobs: post your job for free at linkedin.com/GRIDDoorDash: for a limited time, our listeners can get 50% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code GRID
Timo Glock: ‘game over’, last-lap drama + F1 podiums
He was part of one of F1’s most dramatic finales, but there’s so much more to Timo Glock’s story than that rain-soaked lap in Brazil. A relative late-comer to racing, he quickly showed speed, made smart sponsorship deals and caught the attention of F1 teams. Timo tells Tom Clarkson about the surprise phone call which led to his points-scoring Grand Prix debut, the disappointment of dropping out of the sport, the moment he felt it was ‘game over’ for his racing career, and an all-or-nothing season which gave him a second chance at F1. With Toyota in 2008 and 2009, Timo scored podiums which proved he was worthy of a race-winning car. He reveals how agonisingly close he came to a career-transforming move in a pivotal period at the end of 2009, only to find himself racing at the back of the grid in 2010. Plus, his friendship with the Schumachers, the moment lawyers decided his F1 future and that final lap in Brazil in 2008: the ‘impossible’ action, the crazy reaction and an unlikely friendship that followed, ten years in the making. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/gridBetterHelp: when you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there.Visit betterhelp.com/grid today to get 10% off your first month
Jan Lammers: F1 record-holder, Dutch GP hero
He’s a Zandvoort ‘beach boy’, who became a local hero in F1. Racing in the Dutch Grand Prix was a dream come true for Jan Lammers, but he struggled to show his speed in Formula 1 and dropped out of the sport after 4 difficult seasons. He was always determined to return to motorsport’s pinnacle and waited a record 10 years for his chance. Jan tells Tom Clarkson about his rise from junior European champion to F1, the impact impatience had on his career, how bad luck repeatedly ruined his best chances of a life changing F1 result, and how a change in attitude and focus on learning helped him take Le Mans victory in 1988 and return to F1 after his decade away. Today, Jan is Sporting Director of his hometown racetrack, Zandvoort, and is working to make the Dutch Grand Prix a spectacular and sustainable event.This episode is sponsored by: MSC Cruises: Explore MSC Cruises world of destinations and book yourself a holidaythat’s going to take your breath away from start to finish on msccruises.comExpressVPN: Secure your online data by visiting ExpressVPN.com/GRID and get an extra three months FREEDoor Dash: For a limited time our listeners can get 50% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code GRID
René Arnoux: wheel-to-wheel 'war' with Villeneuve, Lauda + Prost
He fought one of F1’s all-time greatest duels, was often untouchable in qualifying, and his victories were celebrated by entire nations. René Arnoux spent a decade racing the likes of Gilles Villeneuve, Alain Prost and Niki Lauda. He raced and won for both Renault and Ferrari, leading the Scuderia to a world title in 1983. René passionately and vividly talks Tom Clarkson through his remarkable career, remembering his epic wheel-to-wheel battle with his great friend Villeneuve in 1979, negotiations with Enzo Ferrari, his lost chance to become World Champion and his rivalry with Renault teammate Prost. Arnoux also picks the 2022 F1 driver he thinks is most like himself Related episodesGilles Villeneuve Remembered Racing for Enzo Ferrari René’s pick of 2022: Lando Norris This episode is sponsored by: LinkedIn Jobs: find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post a job for free at linkedin.com/GRIDDave: download the Dave app from the App store right now. Sign up for an Extra Cash account and get up to 500 dollars instantly. For terms and conditions go to dave.com/legal. Instant transfer fees apply. Banking provided by Evolve. Member FDIC.Santander: Countdown to Zero is a global competition for startups and scaleups to help the motor sport world become more sustainable. And that’s why we are looking for sustainable and innovative proposals that allow us to continue enjoying our passion while respecting the environment. Register your idea on santanderx.com before 8th September.
Lando Norris: working on winning with McLaren
He’s an F1 star, and he’s still getting brighter. Lando Norris is on a mission with McLaren, determined to deliver trophies and titles. He’s twice come agonisingly close to his first F1 victory. That is just fuel for his fire. Lando opens up to Tom Clarkson about the races he feels he should have already won, his moments of self-doubt, his ambitions, his attitude to life and work, and how he’s seen by the public and his fans. Lando reveals he sometimes dwells on past frustrations, but his focus is fixed on future glory. He’s honest and illuminating about things he and his team can improve. One day soon, he says, ‘there won’t be any excuses’. Working on winning will ‘make things sweeter… a much cooler story’. As you’ll hear, the hard work has already begun…Have a listen to Lando’s first F1 Beyond The Grid appearance in March 2020Plus other related interviews from the BTG archiveDaniel RicciardoCarlos Sainz McLaren CEO (and Lando’s golf buddy) Zak Brown This episode is sponsored by: Liquid IV: get 15% off ANYTHING you order when you shop better hydration today using promo code GRID at liquidiv.comBetterHelp: our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/GRIDBabbel: receive six months free with a purchase of a 6-month subscription with promo code GRID at babbel.com/play
Beat Zehnder: 30 seasons with 1 team, Leclerc, Vettel, Raikkonen + Kubica
Since South Africa 1993, Beat Zehnder has not missed a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hungary 2022 was his 538th race weekend, and he’s spent them all with the same team. Once it was known as Sauber, today it’s Alfa Romeo. Before joining Sauber, Beat was a ship engine mechanic. He was kicked out of his first job interview with the Swiss racing team because he had no interest in motorsport. How and why, then, has he spent so long in Formula 1? Beat tells Tom Clarkson incredible stories of the tiny Sauber team’s amazing entry into F1, and its repeated struggles for survival. Schumacher, Frentzen, Raikkonen, Kubica, Vettel and Leclerc are just some of the drivers Beat has worked with, but who does he call ‘the most complete’ of them all? Beat’s love for the sport was shaken at times of tragedy, but his loyalty and love of teamwork have never faltered.This episode is sponsored by: Harry's: make sure to support the podcast and start your own skin care journey, by redeeming a free Harry’s Trial Set at harrys.com/grid. All you cover is £3.95 for delivery and your freebie will be added at checkoutExpressVPN: visit expressvpn.com/grid to get three extra months free
Mike Krack: Vettel + Massa’s mentor, aiming high at Aston Martin
He’s the newest member of ‘The Piranha Club’ – the nickname for the ruthlessly competitive group of F1 Team Principals. Aston Martin’s Mike Krack is not a newcomer to F1, however. A former European go-kart racer, Mike earned his engineering stripes with Sauber in the early 2000s, where he moulded and mentored a young Felipe Massa. He witnessed the supreme strength and skill of Robert Kubica, and steered Sebastian Vettel through his Grand Prix debut at BMW in 2007. Vettel and Krack are now back together at Aston Martin, and Mike has illuminating insight into how the four-time champion has developed as a person and as a racing driver. Mike tells Tom Clarkson about his life leading major manufacturers’ racing programs, including the reason he previously walked away from Formula 1. He explains how he’s ‘finding his way’ as boss of the sport’s most ambitious team, charged with fulfilling owner Lawrence Stroll’s aims of challenging for the World Championship.Related episodes from the F1 Beyond The Grid archive: Sebastian Vettel Robert Kubica Lance Stroll Lawrence Stroll Felipe MassaThis episode is sponsored by: Babbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months freeCalm: visit calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire libraryAthletic Greens: get a FREE 1 year supply of immune supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase, just visit athleticgreens.com/f1btg
Marc Surer: surviving tough breaks and tragedy
When Marc Surer reached Formula 1 in 1979, he was a rising star: the reigning Formula 2 champion from the mountains of Switzerland, surely destined for the summit of F1 success. But two leg-breaking crashes made Marc’s climb steeper and harder. He relives those crashes with Tom Clarkson and remembers his remarkable recovery and return to racing. Amazingly, he scored points for Arrows, and almost made the switch to Ferrari after the death of Gilles Villeneuve. Marc also came close to racing for McLaren after a secret meeting with boss Ron Dennis. Later, he survived a fiery rally crash in which his co-driver was killed. Marc shares stories of racing up mountains as a child in a country where motorsport was banned, working with F1 design genius Gordon Murray, driving brutal turbocharged F1 cars armed with more than 1000 horsepower and wrestling Group B rally cars on snow and ice.This episode is sponsored by: Dave: download the Dave app from the App store right now. Sign up for an Extra Cash account and get up to 500 dollars instantly. For terms and conditions go to dave.com/legal. Instant transfer fees apply. Banking provided by Evolve. Member FDICBabbel: right now, Babbel is offering our listeners six months free with a purchase of a 6-month subscription with promo code GRID at babbel.com/playBetterHelp: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/grid
Jody Egginton: a journey to AlphaTauri tech boss
Before he started, as he puts it, ‘playing with racing cars’, Jody Egginton trained as a schoolteacher. His love of motorsport led him to Formula 1, and he worked his way up from Tyrell during the early years of computer-aided design (CAD) to Technical Director at AlphaTauri today. Along the way he helped Force India achieve a stunning result in 2009, fought to keep the brand-new Caterham team afloat in the 2010s and worked with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at the very start of their F1 careers. He’s now driving AlphaTauri’s car development, pushing a team of engineers flat out to give Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda a car which can challenge for 5th in the F1 Constructors’ Championship. Jody tells Tom Clarkson about his approach to learning, communication, problem-solving and leadership, and shares advice for aspiring F1 engineers.Related episodes from the Beyond The Grid archivePierre Gasly Yuki Tsunoda Franz Tost, AlphaTauri Team PrincipalJames Key, McLaren’s Technical Director John Barnard, legendary F1 technical geniusThis episode is sponsored by: Calm: go to calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire libraryHello Fresh: visit hellofresh.com/grid16 and use code grid16 for up to 16 freemeals AND 3 free giftsBabbel: go to babbel.com/play and use promo code GRID for an extra six months free
David Richards: a leader of legends
Jenson Button. Jacques Villeneuve. Colin McRae. Sebastian Loeb. The list of elite racing drivers David Richards has led is long and legendary. As an F1 Team Principal in the 2000s, he, Button and the BAR team challenged Ferrari for race wins. David tasted podium champagne, but the bottle never had ‘1st’ printed on it. Not so in the World Rally Championship and at Le Mans, where his teams and drivers have won a multitude of titles. David tells Tom Clarkson the story of his incredible life in motorsport: success in rallying, decades in F1 with Benetton, BAR and Honda, and he remembers the behind the scenes negotiations to bring his own company, Prodrive, onto the grid. Plus, desert racing with Sebastian Loeb, Extreme E with Lewis Hamilton’s team and his ongoing work to make motorsport more inclusive and sustainable as chair of Motorsport UK.This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/grid ExpressVPN: visit ExpressVPN.com/grid right now and find out how you can get 3 months free Harry's: get a free travel size face wash by redeeming a free Harry’s Trial set at harrys.com/grid. All you cover is £3.95 for delivery. Your freebie will be added at checkout.
George Russell: rising with Mercedes
‘It’s a huge step… but the peak is miles away’. That’s how George Russell sums up racing for Mercedes. Since George joined the team’s young driver programme in 2017 he knew he could rise to the seat of a Silver Arrow Formula 1 car. How did he get there, and how high will he rise in the future? George tells Tom Clarkson about emotive highs with his former team, Williams, a bitter disappointment on his Mercedes debut in Sakhir and a learning moment in Italy which helped shaped him into the driver and the man he is today. Hear about the pressure George races under at Mercedes, his relationships with his colleagues, his view of his place in the sport, his principles and his ambitions in this in-depth conversation.Related episodes: George Russell’s first BTG interview from July 2020This episode is sponsored by: Harry's: get hold of a free travel sized face wash when you redeem a freeHarry’s Trial set at harrys.com/grid. All you need to cover is £3.95 for delivery
June 29th on F1 Beyond The Grid…
Who’s Tom’s guest this week? Hit play to find out. Then, spread the word using #F1BeyondTheGrid and follow the podcast for the fastest way to get the next episode
Zhou Guanyu: racing childhood F1 heroes for China
Zhou Guanyu’s route to F1 was epic. As a child he watched the Chinese Grand Prix from the grandstands and dreamed of joining his racing heroes. But with no footsteps to follow in, he had to plot his own path. Before he was even a teenager he moved from his home city of Shanghai to the other side of the world to test his talent behind the wheel. Fighting homesickness and intimidation from his racing rivals, he proved himself. Zhou tells Tom Clarkson about the sacrifices, key decisions, victories and personal loss he experienced along the way. Now he’s racing his childhood heroes as the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1. Zhou has already made history for his country and, as he says himself, he’s only just getting started.This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a FREE fourteen-day trial at shopify.co.uk/gridAthletic Greens: get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/f1btgCalm: visit calm.com/grid for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library