Simone Resta: F1 car designer who swapped Ferrari for Mercedes
When he left Ferrari to join Mercedes, Simone Resta took decades of experience with him. In Italy, he worked with Michael Schumacher and designed race-winning cars for Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc. Now, his task is giving George Russell and Kimi Antonelli the best Mercedes he can.
As Deputy Technical Director Simone is focusing on the 2025 season, but he tells Tom Clarkson he is also thinking about the opportunity of 2026, when the rules on car design and power units will change.
Simone talks about starting his career in the late 1990s with Minardi, a small team which struggled for results, his move to Ferrari, what engineers really want to hear from their drivers, and why he decided to leave his native Italy and ‘go for it’ with Mercedes
F1: THE MOVIE – starring Brad Pitt
Only in cinemas, June 2025
Don’t miss the chance to see F1 on the big screen
Go to f1themovie.com to book a screening near you
This episode is brought to you by Bitdefender, Team partner of Ferrari.
Visit Bitdefender.com. To learn more about how Bitdefender supports Ferrari to stay ahead of cyber threats and how you can make your digital life safer.
--------
39:29
Dario Franchitti: why ‘F1 dream’ never became reality
Dario Franchitti has had a sensational racing career in the United States, becoming a four-time IndyCar series champion and a three-time winner of the Indy500.
But earlier in his career, Dario had plenty of interest from Formula 1 and tested for a few different teams. So why didn’t he end up racing in the pinnacle of motorsport?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Dario talks about the three big opportunities he had to drive in F1 and why they never materialised – sharing fascinating insight into the negotiations he had and the tests he completed for different teams.
He also discusses his racing idols, how three-time F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart became his mentor and what it takes to become a complete IndyCar driver.
This episode is sponsored by:
Vanta: for a limited time, listeners get $1000 off at vanta.com/grid
Shopify: sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shiopify.com/beyondthegrid
--------
1:00:48
Celebrating F1 75 with Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti was 10 years old when the first ever Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix took place at Silverstone, on the 13th of May 1950.
The 1978 World Champion has seen everything the pinnacle of motorsport has to offer over the past 75 years, and is one of just 34 drivers to win the ultimate prize, so he’s the perfect person to celebrate such a landmark anniversary.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Mario charts the history of F1 through his eyes. He explains how different the cars felt to drive in different eras of technical innovations, what it was like to compete in a very dangerous period of racing, and how safety improved over time.
Mario also talks about what made World Champions Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Sir Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher so special. Plus, he looks to the future of F1 – telling Tom about his role in the new Cadillac F1 team that will join the grid in 2026 and what they need to hit the ground running.
This episode is sponsored by:
MasterClass: see MasterClass’s latest deal–at least 15% off–at masterclass.com/GRID
Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code GRID at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/GRID
Indeed: listeners of this show will get a seventy-five dollar sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/GRID
--------
59:22
Claire Williams: proud of Williams' progress
When Claire Williams sold the Williams F1 team at the end of 2020, a very special 43-year association between the Williams family and Formula 1 came to an end.
Founded by Claire’s father, Sir Frank Williams, in 1977, the team have won 16 World Championships – a feat only bettered by Ferrari and McLaren.
Claire rose through the ranks – starting as press officer in 2002 and eventually becoming Deputy Team Principal in 2013. Over eight seasons, she led the team to 15 podiums and two P3 finishes in the Constructor Standings before she and her family left the sport.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Claire talks about the ups and downs of her time in charge of Williams, whether she regrets selling the team, why her dad was her biggest role model, and what it takes to run a Formula 1 team.
Plus, you’ll hear the fascinating story of why she couldn’t let George Russell join Mercedes earlier in his career and what she makes of the racer he is today.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:
VANTA: For a limited time, listeners get $1000 off at vanta.com/grid
LIQUID I.V.: Get 20% off your first order of when you go to liquidiv.com and use code GRID at checkout.
--------
1:02:09
Jonathan Wheatley: leading Sauber forward into Audi era
As the new Team Principal of Sauber, Jonathan Wheatley is taking on one of the most exciting projects in Formula 1.
With Benetton, Renault and Red Bull Racing, Jonathan has won 19 World Championships over the last 34 years. Now, after nearly two decades as Red Bull’s Sporting Director, he’s in a very different role with a very different team. And not just any team, because, in 2026, Sauber will become Audi.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jonathan explains why he’s chosen to make such a big change in his career, how his experience of winning at the very highest level will help Audi achieve their goals and the differences between Sauber and Red Bull.
Jonathan also shares stories of working with Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen - revealing the common trait that makes them such great World Champions.
He talks about the unique connection he made with Ayrton Senna in the pitlane, the ‘uncomfortable’ team debrief with Vettel and Mark Webber after their infamous ‘Multi 21’ incident, what it takes to produce the perfect pit stop and his memories of Schumacher’s first title win at Adelaide in 1994.
It’s All To Drive For. Be there!
Book your seat at a 2025 Grand Prix – tickets.formula1.com
Formula 1's fastest stars 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
UK