F1 Beyond The Grid

In this thrilling chat, Lando Norris, the 2025 World Champion and McLaren driver, shares how he transformed his mental game and fostered a strong bond with his race engineer. Teammate Oscar Piastri reflects on his remarkable development and key racing lessons learned. Meanwhile, Hollywood star Brad Pitt discusses his exhilarating experience prepping for his F1 film role and driving on real tracks. Finally, Sebastian Vettel reminisces about his career highs and lows, providing a captivating look into life on and off the track.

Toto Wolff, the strategic genius behind Mercedes F1, is joined by Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains. They dive into the thrilling changes coming in 2026, including new power units and sustainable fuels. Hear their insights on the challenges of energy management and the need for drivers to enhance their skills. They reflect on George Russell's growth and Kimi Antonelli's rookie journey while expressing a mix of excitement and nerves about the upcoming season, calling it a transformative era for F1.

Laura Mueller, F1's first female race engineer, and Esteban Ocon, Haas driver, dive into their dynamic partnership in 2025. They reveal the significance of effective communication on team radio and how they built mutual understanding over races. Esteban shares his needs for car confidence, while Laura reflects on her inspiring journey into motorsport. Together, they tackle challenges like bouncing back from a poor Melbourne performance to a solid finish in China, emphasizing resilience and teamwork in the fast-paced world of F1.

Sebastian Vettel, a four-time Formula 1 World Champion known for his remarkable career with Red Bull and Ferrari, reflects on his life post-racing. He discusses his passion for environmental advocacy, including the F1 Forest project inspired by his Amazon visit. Vettel shares insights on mentoring young drivers like Lando Norris and expresses admiration for Max Verstappen's composure. He opens up about the challenges of retirement, his love for endurance racing, and offers memorable advice to Lewis Hamilton, making this a captivating look at his legacy and future.

Helmut Marko, the longtime motorsport advisor for Red Bull, shares his riveting journey from racing driver to talent scout. He illuminates his selection philosophy and the pressure young drivers face. Marko praises Max Verstappen's incredible evolution and leadership, while providing insights into the contrasting characters of Verstappen and Vettel. He reflects on his partnership with Dietrich Mateschitz and the genesis of the Red Bull junior program, discussing future champions like Isack Hadjar and Red Bull's ambitious 2026 engine project.

Oscar Piastri, a rising star and Formula 1 driver for McLaren, discusses his thrilling journey in the 2025 season as he vies for his first title. He shares insights on handling the pressure of racing against his teammate, Lando Norris, and how their relationship has evolved. Oscar reflects on his significant improvements over the winter, the importance of team support, and the guidance he receives from Mark Webber. He also reveals how he learns from setbacks and emphasizes the thrill and growth he experiences in championship fights.

Join Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing and former driver, alongside Andrea Stella, Team Principal with a wealth of engineering expertise, as they dive into McLaren's incredible transformation from a struggling team to back-to-back Constructors’ champions. They discuss the technical innovations and brave design choices that fueled their success, the tight Drivers’ Championship race between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and their motivational philosophies. Plus, hear about the importance of team dynamics and their approach to managing two competing drivers.

In this engaging discussion, two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen shares his harrowing experience of the 1995 Adelaide crash. He vividly recounts the moment of impact and his long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. Mika openly reflects on how the incident shaped his relationship with family and his view on risk. He discusses the nerves of his comeback test and how he quickly regained his speed. Through it all, Mika emphasizes the importance of support and resilience in overcoming trauma.

Enrico Cardile, an experienced aerodynamic and performance engineer, shares insights from his transition from Ferrari to Aston Martin as Chief Technical Officer. He discusses the challenges and ambitions for the 2026 regulations, including new aerodynamic strategies and the team’s innovative wind tunnel. Enrico highlights the importance of driver feedback, drawing parallels between Lance Stroll and Kimi Räikkönen, and reflects on his collaborative work with Adrian Newey. Ambition drives the team, as Enrico reveals the commitment to turning Aston Martin into winners.

Allan McNish, a former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans champion, shares his insights on the new Audi F1 team. He reflects on his early days testing alongside Ayrton Senna and the lessons learned from a challenging career path. McNish discusses Audi's strategic approach to racing, emphasizing the blend of experience and youth in drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. He highlights the importance of a team culture focused on long-term success and describes how the Audi philosophy will shape their F1 debut in 2026.