F1
MPH: How to fix F1 - and why it probably won't happen
As F1 prepares to vote on a package of 2026 regulation tweaks, Mark Hughes argues the most meaningful fix is the one it's least likely to try
Mark Hughes
Grand Prix editor
In previous lives Mark raced cars, worked at Jim Russell racing school, got a university degree which he never used, tried working in industry, didn’t like it, left and joined Motoring News in 1988 as a junior club race reporter. Went freelance in ’96, concentrated on F1 from 2000. Grand Prix editor of Autosport for 10 years.
Latest articles from Mark
F1
MPH: Verstappen's powers are blunted, now Leclerc is the F1 driver with a magic touch
Charles Leclerc has mastered F1's new regulations by rooting out the best deployment tricks, while Max Verstappen has been stripped of his advantage, writes Mark Hughes
F1
MPH: Antonelli vs Russell - is this F1's next epic title battle?
He's only 19, but Kimi Antonelli has shown F1 championship-winning pace and may never get a better title shot. The ingredients are there for another historic battle between one experienced team-mate and a thrusting newcomer, says Mark Hughes
F1
Flawed F1 exposed again at Suzuka, but searing Antonelli would win in any era
Kimi Antonelli looked like he'd have blasted to victory in the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, no matter what rules F1 was racing under, says Mark Hughes. However, the result was once again overshadowed by the shortcomings of the series' new regulations
F1
Mark Hughes: F1's last-minute Suzuka fix hasn't gone far enough
F1 cut Suzuka's energy limit by a megajoule, but the fundamental problem remains, says Mark Hughes
F1
MPH: Newey isn't being demoted. Here's what's actually happening at Aston Martin
The real story behind Adrian Newey's changing role at Aston Martin has nothing to do with the F1 team's struggles, as Mark Hughes explains
F1
MPH: Entertainment and old-school racing!? China showed F1 the way
The Melbourne spectacle was tough to digest, but Shanghai exposed an upside to Formula 1’s new rules, showing that the series can deliver racing that's thrilling and skilful, as Mark Hughes explains
F1
Epic racing in Chinese GP was boosted by F1's new button
After artificial-looking overtaking in Melbourne, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix saw a return to F1 drivers following closely and then out-braking each other. Mark Hughes on the Shanghai spectacle
F1
Still sandbagging? Why Mercedes F1 car may be even faster than we've seen
As George Russell takes F1 sprint pole in China, Mark Hughes wonders whether Mercedes has a bigger advantage than we're seeing, and if Red Bull finally has a solution to a long-standing problem
F1
MPH: F1 got lucky in Melbourne - but for how long?
Outspoken drivers say that F1's new rules are an accident waiting to happen — and there are signs that they are being listened to. Mark Hughes examines the
unrest beneath the Australian GP spectacle
F1
Mark Hughes: 'There's no skill in F1 overtaking - it's like passing a car on the motorway'
The 2026 Formula 1 season roared into life with a whirlwind of overtaking at the front. But, in the excitement of the lead battle between George Russell and Charles Leclerc, one key element looks to have been lost
F1
Will Ferrari startline advantage make up for lack of puff in Melbourne?
Why did Ferrari’s pre-season promise disappear in qualifying for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix? Mark Hughes has a theory that we may soon see it again
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