F1's 2026 relaunch: rule changes & engine upgrades unlocked

This week's crunch F1 meeting looks likely to alter the energy split of the new power units: Mark Hughes examines who will be the big winners and losers, and asks what F1’s crisis of its own making says about the state of the sport?Plus: What is ADUO and why is it so important? And the real reason Max Verstappen’s engineer is moving to McLarenMore from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4mE8A6E and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4mE8A6E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two top F1 drivers punished by the new regulations — with two very different reactions. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc can’t race the way that they want to and Verstappen is threatening to quit. But Leclerc has built a team to help him master the new rules. Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas look at what’s going on.Plus: F1 faces a crunch meeting, and who is F1’s greatest-ever team boss?More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4cdes1T and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4cdes1T Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leading the F1 title race at the age of just 19, Kimi Antonelli would be the youngest world champion in history if he tops the table at the end of the season.He's not just there by luck either. As Mark Hughes explains in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show, the young Mercedes driver's victory at the Japanese Grand Prix revealed that he's got the raw pace on take on his more experienced team-mate George Russell in what could be an epic championship battle.Plus: F1 considers drastic action to ease safety fears - will not have to shorten grand prix? And why Max’s threats to quit should be taken seriously.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4bNmyPH and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4bNmyPH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's all change at Aston Martin's F1 team — but all is not as it seems. Mark Hughes cuts through the noise to explain why Adrian Newey is set to step down as team principal; the clash at the top of the team that started it all; and why Jonathan Wheatley might be the perfect replacement.Plus: Why you shouldn't write Max Verstappen off in the Japanese Grand Prix, and the potential reason Mercedes is interested in an Alpine stake.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Formula 1 found its happy place in Shanghai, says Mark Hughes. Can it recreate that sensational racing for the rest of the season? We look at why the Chinese Grand Prix was so much better than in the Australian round.Also: Can Kimi Antonelli challenge George Russell for the championship? How Ollie Bearman’s showing he’s ready for a top team, and why Aston Martin’s troubles might mean Fernando Alonso stays even longer in F1. More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One race into the season and Formula 1 is being criticised from fans and drivers alike over its "flawed" racing and safety fears under new rules.Now, change looks to be imminent, with F1 expected to tweak to its regulations before the third race of the year later this month. Mark Hughes explains the controversy and the likely fix. Plus: Why Mercedes is so far ahead of McLaren when they both have the same engine; are drivers overloaded? And the only rookie on the grid makes an impressive start.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments. He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It would be easy to mock Aston Martin's disastrous start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, especially as its engine troubles are set to see the team retire early from the Australian Grand Prix. But, these early issues are simply an indication of the scale of Adrian Newey's ambition, explains Mark Hughes.Plus: Mark's expectations of the Australian Grand Prix; F1's contingencies if the Bahrain GP is called off; and Alex Albon's intriguing prediction of this year's champion.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments: He'll answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The clever Ferrari design innovations revealed in F1 testing, plus: Is F1 about to water down its green ambitions to reduce lift-and-coasting in races? Mark reveals his early championship predictions, and your questions answered. More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments: Mark will answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which teams are sandbagging in F1 testing? Plus: Why drivers are going 20 mph slower than they need to in some corners; is F1 losing its way by trying to pelase the car manufacturers? And your questions answered.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments: Mark will answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest on Mercedes' engine controversy. Plus: Audi's impressive sidepods; why drivers are having to rewire their brains; Jenson Button's new diplomatic role at Aston Martin; and more of your questions answered, including whether Daniel Ricciardo could have shone in the new generation of cars.More from Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas on the stories that really matter, in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.Subscribe now for every weekly episode and tell us what you want to know from Mark. Send us a message on social media or find this podcast at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ and drop your questions in the comments: Mark will answer a selection of the best every week.Read Mark's column every Wednesday at https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.