Lando’s champion evolution, Vowles’ podium pride + Brad Pitt’s ‘need for speed’ – The Best of 2025
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How did Lando Norris become the new World Champion in 2025?
A title fight that went down to the wire. The crowning of a brand new world champion, rookies realizing their potential, and Formula One's Hollywood debut. 2025 was, at times, unbelievable. But all of that did happen. And on F1 Beyond the Grid, we've spoken to the stars of the show who made it happen. Hello everyone, I'm Tom Clarkson and this is the podcast where the fastest drivers in the world slow down for an in-depth conversation. And it's not just the drivers. Engineers, designers, team bosses and people with incredible stories all share fascinating tales of their time in the sport. From today's stars like world champion Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Isaac Hadjar, to legends of the past like Sebastian Vettel and even Hollywood icon Brad Pitt.
You'll hear from all of them and many more as we listen back through the highlights of our eighth year, bringing you the biggest names from the pinnacle of motorsport.
What mental strategies did Lando Norris use to improve his racing performance?
Welcome to the best of Beyond the Grid 2025. Let's start with the driver who added his name to the shiny silver trophy they all want to win. After 24 rounds, it's Lando Norris who takes his first world championship. It's the promised land for Lando.
Oh, my God. You made a kid's dream come true. Thanks so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything. You deserve it. I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad. Thanks for everything. I'm not crying.
A magical moment for Lando Norris at the title decider in Abu Dhabi. That was pure, raw emotion after a rollercoaster season that saw him recover a 34-point deficit and realise his childhood dream. Lando's always been very honest and self-critical when things aren't going well. The mental strength he showed to bounce back from such a challenging first half of the season puts any doubts about his resilience to bed. Back in the summer, Lando told me how he's changed his psychological approach. I try hard to make myself disconnect from things and take my mind away.
How did Oscar Piastri progress in his second season with McLaren?
You know, I have to put work in to try, forget about a weekend and just kind of go and spend some time with my friends and do things. Like I've had to work on trying to disconnect myself so I can spend more time away so I can come back and focus better rather than dwelling too much on certain scenarios. How do you do that? Is it sport, bit of golf, bit of paddle?
Yeah, it can be sport and sometimes it's just being with my friends and sometimes it's simple things, just going out for dinners with my team or doing things. I almost forget what I do, forget that I drive in Formula 1, forget that I drive and just really try and leave the world that I live in. I think it's because I care a lot about what I do, therefore I'm always trying to think of why did I do that? Why, why did I make that wrong decision? Why did I go too hard into this corner? Sometimes you're talking about like milliseconds of eagerness here or there. Um, and you can, you can pay the price, you know, so it sounds always so simple in your mind, but therefore sometimes it's very difficult to find clear answers for it.
But, uh,
Yeah, many different things, but both on and off the track. I think you're calmer outside of the car, certainly. I think I made that observation a couple of races ago in a press conference. You don't seem to get overly happy if it goes well. You don't get overly doubt. That's the impression that you give anyway. Certainly, I don't think I'm at the level of Oscar Piastri.
What insights did McLaren's leadership share about team dynamics?
Yeah, come on. Some just have to check. Have you got a pulse?
Yeah. He looks more happy when he's like six sometimes when he wins the race. You know, I'm still definitely tough on myself, but I definitely get down less than what I did in the past. And I think that's certainly been something I needed to improve on and something I think I have improved on.
Will Joseph, your race engineer, come and join us. Look, guys, how would you describe your relationship? You've worked together since Lando first came into Formula One. Good. I think trusting. Trusting?
Honest? Yeah, trusting, honest. Enjoyable? Yeah. I hope. I think so. On the whole.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
How did Lando Norris become the new World Champion in 2025?
0:05–1:12
2
What mental strategies did Lando Norris use to improve his racing performance?
1:12–2:34
3
How did Oscar Piastri progress in his second season with McLaren?
2:34–3:50
4
What insights did McLaren's leadership share about team dynamics?
3:50–4:27
5
How did Carlos Sainz achieve his first podium with Williams?
4:27–5:39
6
What challenges did Esteban Ocon face in his first year at Haas?
5:39–7:14
7
How did Brad Pitt prepare for his role in 'F1: The Movie'?
7:14–8:08
8
What reflections did Sebastian Vettel share about his F1 career?
8:08–1:21:07
Speakers
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