F1 Beyond The Grid

Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal who rose through the team over a decade, talks leadership, rebuilding trust and reorganising technical and track crews. He recounts the Melbourne crisis and the fast fixes that followed. He explains the Toyota technical partnership, his expectations for Esteban Ocon and the development path for rising talent Ollie Bearman.

Jacques Villeneuve, Canadian racer and 1997 F1 World Champion who came from IndyCar and won the 1995 Indy 500, recalls his breakout 1996 rookie year. He explains why he left IndyCar for Williams. He talks about odd cockpit tweaks, working with engineer Jock Clear, his Melbourne pole, Nürburgring victory and the famous outside pass on Michael Schumacher.

Dan Towriss, CEO who built Cadillac's F1 project and founded TWG Motorsports, recounts launching a works F1 team from first talks to race day. He tells the story of building infrastructure across Silverstone, Indianapolis and Charlotte. He discusses signing experienced drivers like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, Colton Herta’s development path, US fan growth and bold marketing moves like the Super Bowl reveal.

Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 driver and former Ferrari racer now at Williams, talks career milestones and his push to revive Williams. He recalls a tough 2025 start, the emotional Baku podium and the Qatar setup gamble. Carlos explains adapting to new 2026 cars, his wider role at the team and using his peak years to drive long-term progress.

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.