Podcast: F1 'insulting fans' intelligence' by trying to cover up failings?

F1 stands accused of being oversensitive to complaints about the 2026 F1 cars and artificial racing in grands prix.

By removing data, cutting away from drivers’ disparaging comments, and failing to broadcast in-car outbursts, the series looks to be trying to minimise criticism of the 2026 championship. It’s not a smart move, says Mark Hughes in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show.

Watch Mark and Bryn Lucas discuss the issue in full, following a Belgian Grand Prix so dominated by energy management that it “sterilised” the normally magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

This week’s instalment also reveals just what was behind Mercedes‘ disastrous first lap, which saw George Russell drop down the running order before spinning out of the race after contact with Lewis Hamilton.

Should the Ferrari driver have received a penalty? And should his team-mate Charles Leclerc have got away without one after contact with Oscar Piastri?

Mark and Bryn also review Isack Hadjar‘s sensational drive from the back of the grid to sixth place at Spa, and look ahead to Hungary, where talk of energy management should be replaced by a close battle for victory.

Plus, your questioned answered: do team engineers still make set-up changes, or are they all dictated by simulators? How closely should we compare Ferrari in 1996 to Aston Martin today? And why was Piastri lagging Norris at Spa?

We’ll feature more listener questions next week. Don’t forget to post yours below.

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