As Formula 1 enters an exciting new era of fast, thrilling and sustainable racing in 2026, what can we expect on track?
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, and Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertains, Hywel Thomas, explain how the new power units and advanced sustainable fuels will enhance performance and demand different skills from the drivers and teams.
Toto and Hywel tell Tom Clarkson how they feel on the eve of this new rule cycle compared to 2014, when they went on to win eight Constructors’ World Championships in a row, and what they make of rumours in the paddock pitching them as pre-season favourites.
You’ll also hear their thoughts on how George Russell and Kimi Antonelli performed in 2025 and what they can achieve in the coming years.


This episode is sponsored by:


Truewerk: upgrade your day with workwear built like it matters. Get 15% off your first order at truewerk.com with code GRID.  


Indeed: listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at indeed.com/GRID. 


F1 Store: F1 Store: treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at F1Store.formula1.com

<div>As Formula 1 enters an exciting new era of fast, thrilling and sustainable racing in 2026, what can we expect on track?</div>
<br>
<div>Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, and Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertains, Hywel Thomas, explain how the new power units and advanced sustainable fuels will enhance performance and demand different skills from the drivers and teams.</div>
<br>
<div>Toto and Hywel tell Tom Clarkson how they feel on the eve of this new rule cycle compared to 2014, when they went on to win eight Constructors’ World Championships in a row, and what they make of rumours in the paddock pitching them as pre-season favourites.</div>
<br>
<div>You’ll also hear their thoughts on how George Russell and Kimi Antonelli performed in 2025 and what they can achieve in the coming years.<br>
<br>
<br>
<strong>This episode is sponsored by:</strong> <br>
<br>
Truewerk: upgrade your day with workwear built like it matters. Get 15% off your first order at <a href="http://truewerk.com">truewerk.com</a> with code GRID.  <br>
<br>
Indeed: listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at <a href="http://indeed.com/GRID">indeed.com/GRID</a>. <br>
<br>
F1 Store: F1 Store: treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at <a href="https://f1store.formula1.com/en/?ce=1&amp;_s=bm-fi-f1-prtsocial-bf-pod-beyond-the-grid-281125-bc">F1Store.formula1.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>

</div>

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