logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
55m 47s

Dan Fallows: directing Aston Martin’s ri...

FORMULA 1
About this episode
In 2023, Aston Martin took a leap to the front of Formula 1. They went from midfield battlers to podium finishers, ahead of Mercedes and Ferrari. How? 

As the engineer who led the creation of the team's car, Technical Director Dan Fallows, is one of many possible answers to that question. Dan began his F1 career in 2002, as an aerodynamic engineer for Jaguar. Four years later, he joined Red Bull – where he learnt from one of the sport’s greatest car designers in the form of Adrian Newey and played a part in the team’s most successful period. 

His first two seasons at Aston Martin were difficult, but it seems to be third time lucky for Dan and the team. He tells Tom Clarkson why the 2023 car is far superior to its predecessor and how the talent of the team’s workforce surpassed his expectations. He explains where his passion for aerodynamics comes from, how playing guitar keeps him occupied outside of F1, and why Fernando Alonso has had such a big impact on the team.

Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid.

Related episodes:

Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin team owner 


This episode is sponsored by: 

HelloFresh: go to HelloFresh dot com slash 50grid and use code 50grid for 50% off, plus your first box ships free! 

Up next
Nov 19
Helmut Marko: choosing champions at Red Bull
<div>Every driver who wants to win with Red Bull needs to impress Helmut Marko. The veteran Motorsport Advisor oversees the team’s young driver programme and helped launch the careers of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. A former F1 driver himself, he knows what it takes to ra ... Show More
48m 48s
Nov 12
Oscar Piastri: fighting for his first F1 title
<div>With three rounds left of the 2025 season, Oscar Piastri is still in contention to become Formula 1 World Champion for the first time.<br> <br> So what’s it like being in the thick of an F1 title fight with so much at stake?<br> <br> Speaking to Tom Clarkson before the Sao P ... Show More
1h 2m
Nov 5
Andrea Stella + Zak Brown: McLaren’s transformation + the Drivers’ Championship race
<div>McLaren have won back-to-back Constructors’ titles for the first time since the early ‘90s.</div> <br> <div>Just eight years ago, in 2017, they finished second to last, so how exactly have they transformed into World Champions since then?</div> <br> <div>Speaking to Tom Clar ... Show More
58m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Adrian Newey on F1's best car – Imola review ft. Esteban Ocon + Christian Horner
Which team now has the fastest car in F1: Red Bull or Ferrari? Red Bull’s legendary designer Adrian Newey gives F1 Nation his take on the continuing race for upgrades, and the team’s dominant 1-2 finish in Imola. For a packed show, Tom Clarkson’s joined by 9-time Le Mans 24 Hours ... Show More
50m 2s
Oct 2023
Car liveries: paint, decals, special designs + performance
<div>Ferrari is red, Red Bull is blue... F1 car liveries are much more than paint and stickers. They're part of a team's identity, they're worth money to sponsors and they can even affect how the car performs on track. <br> <br> F1 Explains how F1 car liveries are created with th ... Show More
50m 3s
Feb 2024
Netflix Drive to Survive: behind the scenes
The latest season of Drive To Survive is another fascinating look inside Formula 1. How is the show planned, filmed and edited? How do the producers decide what stories to tell? What does the future hold for the series? To find out, Christian and Katie speak to Drive to Survive's ... Show More
35m 7s
Mar 2024
Mick Schumacher + Bernie Collins explain the F1 race start
20 F1 cars. 5 red lights. 0.2 seconds to react. 5 seconds to 120 mph. The start of a Formula 1 Grand Prix demands extraordinary skill from the drivers and quick decisions from the team strategists. Katie and Christian explore the start of a race with Mercedes reserve driver and f ... Show More
35m 32s
May 2024
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
<div>Cars that feel F1-fast. Racetracks that look real. Drivers in detail. EA SPORTS F124, the latest official Formula 1 game, is out on 31 May and it's more lifelike than ever. How do game designers bring the world of F1 to life on your console? Katie and Christian speak to two ... Show More
39m 59s
Aug 2023
DRS: how the Drag Reduction System has changed F1 racing
It has given us more action, more overtaking and more chances to change the race with strategy. DRS, the Drag Reduction System, can help F1 drivers get in position for a race-winning overtake. Why was it introduced? How does it work? What's the best way to use it? F1 Explains wit ... Show More
37m 36s
Apr 2024
Aston Martin's Mike Krack explains the life of an F1 Team Principal
Formula 1 Team Principals have a lot to do. They have to manage the drivers, engineers, mechanics, designers and hundreds of other employees at the racetrack and in the factory. Team Principals lead them all through wins, podiums and retirements. If things don't go well, they som ... Show More
39m 59s
Dec 2023
Neck strength secrets, wind tunnel watchers, DRS data + pit stop perfection - what we learned in 2023
Brilliant questions, fascinating answers. F1 Explains explores how our favourite sport really works. In 2023, Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill put your questions to drivers, engineers, strategists, designers and many more of the people who do great work behind the scenes. At t ... Show More
52m 45s