Alan Permane: Lawson, Lindblad + leading Racing Bulls

Alan Permane: Lawson, Lindblad + leading Racing Bulls

Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane says his exit from Alpine in 2023 was both ‘devastating’ and a ‘defining moment’ in his career. ‘Devastating’ because he’d been with Team Enstone for more than 30 years, winning World Championships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. But ‘defining’ as it led to his first role as a Team Principal in Formula 1 – his biggest job yet. One year since taking the reins, Alan tells Tom Clarkson why the role was not initially a natural fit for him, how he’s risen to the challenge and what changes he’s made at Racing Bulls. He also shares fascinating insight into his drivers. What state of mind was Liam Lawson in after his demotion from Red Bull Racing? How did he produce such an impressive turnaround in form? Why does Alan describe rookie Arvid Lindblad as ‘very pushy’? And how has he dealt with some intense moments between Lawson and Lindblad on track? Alan also talks about the unique way they decided which driver would receive the team’s latest upgrade first, whether they’d ever give Max Verstappen a test in the Racing Bulls car, and what he makes of Red Bull junior driver and F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov. WIN TICKETS FOR F1 IN MADRID Official F1 Podcasts are giving you the chance to win one pair of weekend grandstand tickets for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 You must be 18+ to enter. Competition closes on 31 July 2026. To enter and for full terms and conditions, visit f1.com/podcast-win-madrid [https://www.f1.com/podcast-win-madrid] This episode is sponsored by: Wayfair: ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to wayfair.com [http://wayfair.com] right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. CarGurus: go to cargurus.co.uk [http://cargurus.co.uk] or complete vehicle details without any surprises.

Damson Idris: F1: The Movie ‘changed my life’

Damson Idris describes playing Formula 1 rookie Joshua Pearce in F1: The Movie - the Oscar-winning, highest-grossing sports film of all time - as a life-changing moment. Speaking to Tom Clarkson a year since its release, Damson talks about racing in the F2 cars they used for the film, how he and co-star Brad Pitt compared against each other on track and what it was like to immerse himself in the world of Formula 1. Damson also tells Tom about his relationship with Lewis Hamilton and why he believes the seven-time World Champion ‘has that Michael Jordan thing’. You’ll also hear about a dramatic moment during filming that showed Damson what it’s truly like to be a Formula 1 driver pushing to the limit. This episode is sponsored by: Claude: for problems worth solving — get started with Claude at — Claude.ai/grid [http://Claude.ai/grid]. Leesa: go to Leesa.com [http://Leesa.com] for 25% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code GRID, exclusive for our listeners.

LEGENDS: Giancarlo Fisichella on winning for Italy + Antonelli’s potential

For 20 years, Italy waited for a driver to join Giancarlo Fisichella as a Formula 1 Grand Prix-winner. Now, Kimi Antonelli is flying Il Tricolore on the top step of the podium once again. Fisi tells Tom Clarkson about the pressures of carrying Italy’s hopes in F1 and what Kimi needs to do to end the nation’s even longer wait for a World Champion. Fisi looks back on his own F1 career - the ‘hard’ moments he had supporting Fernando Alonso in his teammate’s title-winning seasons, how they relaxed before the race and how close he came to moving to another team in the mid 2000s. Giancarlo remembers living his dream and joining Ferrari during the 2009 season. Does he think Kimi Antonelli could ever do the same? This episode is sponsored by: Vanta: Get started today at vanta.com/GRID [http://vanta.com/GRID] Homeserve: Join the millions of customers who trust HomeServe. For 50% less your first year, go to homeserve.com/grid [http://homeserve.com/grid] Shopify: You put in the work. Time to get paid like it. Free trial at shopify.com/beyondthegrid [http://shopify.com/beyondthegrid]

Lando Norris: ‘success is addictive’

Lando Norris achieved his lifelong dream in 2025, becoming Formula 1 World Champion for the first time after a rollercoaster title battle that went all the way down to the wire in Abu Dhabi. Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Lando talks about not being nervous before that season-finale, what it really means to achieve the goal he’s been chasing for so long, how becoming champion has changed him and whether he ever considered ‘doing a Nico Rosberg’ and retiring after winning his first title. Lando also tells Tom why he doesn’t think he’d be World Champion now had he ignored team orders at Budapest in 2024 and whether he sees himself as a one-team driver with McLaren for the rest of his career. The answer is revealing. Plus, you’ll hear where Lando keeps his Drivers’ Championship trophy and what he makes of his recently unveiled waxwork at Madame Tussauds. This episode is sponsored by: Explora Journeys: travel the world in an ocean-front suite on an ultra-elegant ship. Discover more at explorajourneys.com [http://explorajourneys.com] Vanta: get started today at vanta.com/GRID [http://vanta.com/GRID]

Flavio Briatore: growing Alpine with Colapinto, Gasly + Gucci

Flavio Briatore and ‘Team Enstone’ go back a long way. As Benetton in the 90’s, he led them to multiple World Championships with Michael Schumacher. And as Renault in the 2000s, he did the same with Fernando Alonso. So how can he achieve similar success with Alpine? Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Flavio talks about the progress the team have made since he became Executive Advisor, what he makes of his drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, and whether he has a timescale for Alpine to be fighting for titles. Flavio also shares some funny anecdotes about replacing Jenson Button with Alonso at Renault, firing Jackie Stewart and his criticism of Franco in the latest series of Drive to Survive. Plus, Flav tells Tom about the arrival of Gucci as the team’s main sponsor in 2027. This episode is sponsored by:  CarGurus: go to cargurus.co.uk [http://cargurus.co.uk] for complete vehicle details without any surprises