BEYOND THE GRID: Alexander Rossi on being the last American to race in F1

As Formula 1 prepares to race at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, it seemed like the right time for our Beyond The Grid podcast to catch up with the last American to race in the sport: Alexander Rossi.

Growing up in northern California, Rossi dreamed of racing in F1 – but his route was not an easy one. Along the way he experienced false starts, unfulfilled promises, behind-the-scenes power moves and the tragic loss of his friend and team mate Jules Bianchi.

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Rossi tells Beyond The Grid host Tom Clarkson everything that led to his five Grands Prix in 2015 with Manor Marussia, and just how close he was to staying in the sport for a longer time.

Today, Rossi is pushing to add the IndyCar Championship to his 2016 Indy 500 win, supported by team boss Michael Andretti – someone else who understands how tough it is to make a prolonged stay in F1 – and challenged by team mate Colton Herta. Rossi also has tales of racing at Indianapolis with Fernando Alonso, and competing in Mexico’s extreme truck race, the Baja 1000.

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