F1: Beyond The Grid

Tom Clarksons guest on this weeks F1 Beyond The Grid is McLarens Chief Operating Officer, Piers Thynne, who has been with the team since 2008.

He oversees everything that happens at the team's base, the McLaren Technology Centre, so hes played a crucial role in their current success.

How have McLaren transformed into World Champions after finishing second to last in 2017? Why is their philosophy of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable so productive? What impact have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had on the whole team? And how are McLaren preparing for new regulations in 2026, while fighting for both titles in 2025?

Piers provides fantastic insight into what it takes to run a championship-winning Formula 1 team away from the track. He also talks about his passion for McLarens heritage cars, the lessons he took into F1 from his time as an army officer serving in Iraq, and how his father helped a certain F1 legend become a World Champion.

Its All To Drive For. Be there!
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After five years with Alpine, Esteban Ocon is embarking on a new adventure with Haas in 2025.

What challenges has he faced while settling into his new team? How is he getting on with new race engineer Laura Mueller? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their car?

Esteban tells Tom Clarkson how he’s adapting to his new surroundings and how Haas have made such a miraculous recovery from a nightmare opening weekend in Australia.

He also talks about reuniting with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, whom he raced alongside many years ago, his passion for cars and remote-control racing, his recent cameo in a Netflix film and his dramatic exit from Alpine at the end of 2024.

It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com

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Tom Clarkson reveals which Formula 1 star will be joining him on this week’s episode of F1 Beyond The Grid. 

Listen to the full show on Wednesday 16th March or you can watch their chat on the official F1 YouTube channel.

Ferrari ambassador and former test driver Marc Gene has been with the team since 2004.

During that time, Marc has had the privilege of working alongside five World Champions: Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and now, Lewis Hamilton.

Do they all have a common trait that makes them so successful? What’s the difference between one-time and multiple World Champions? Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Marc shares stories from his years working with each of those legends.

The Spaniard also talks about his own racing career in F1, which started with Minardi in 1999, why he loved testing Formula 1 cars for Williams and Ferrari, winning Le Mans in 2009, and much more.

It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com

Chosen by Red Bull aged 15. Suddenly launched into his first Grand Prix as the youngest driver ever, having never driven a Formula 1 car before. Racing for the Red Bull junior team, Jaime Alguersuari was expected to win. He was dropped when he didn’t.

Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jaime looks back at his rapid rise to Formula 1. From his surprise debut in 2009, the demands of the Red Bull junior programme, and racing Michael Schumacher, to turning down the chance to drive a race-winning car days before losing his place in the sport. Now a DJ and producer, Jaime tells Tom how music ‘saved his life’ after he left Formula 1.

It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com