Racing series Formula 1 has launched its own official podcast, with four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as the first guest.
The new weekly podcast, titled Beyond The Grid, is hosted by F1 presenter Tom Clarkson. Each week he will host “in-depth conversations with the biggest names in F1,” from current drivers to figures from the sport’s history.
Formula 1 also says the podcast will give fans “fresh insight, great stories and amazing anecdotes”.
The new podcast can be listened to and downloaded on the Beyond The Grid Audioboom channel, as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Stitcher and other platforms. It will also be available on Formula 1’s website and YouTube channel.
In the first episode, released today, British driver Lewis Hamilton “talks candidly about ambition, faith, travel, life after F1”.
Forthcoming episodes will include driver Robert Kubica talking about the crash that nearly cost him his life and his return to F1 and Grand Prix winner Gerhard Berger, talking about his attitude to danger and near death experiences.
Future episodes will feature a series of round table discussions with former drivers and F1 insiders.
The new podcast is one of several initiatives introduced by new F1 owners, Liberty Media. The sport is making more use of social media and YouTube to share video content, and recently introduced streaming with F1 TV Pro.
Podcast host Tom Clarkson was part of the BBC’s television coverage of the sport. The launch of the podcast comes ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend.
Formula 1 posted a teaser from the new podcast on Audioboom yesterday.
Frank Arthofer, Head of Digital and New Business, said: “With Beyond The Grid, fans will be treated to exclusive insight from the greatest personalities in F1, starting with an hour long sit down with Lewis Hamilton. Thanks to our partnership with Bose, fans will also be able to listen on their own terms: on demand, anytime, anywhere, all for free.”
The new podcast is presented with Bose and produced in association with podcast platform Audioboom.