Aston Martin has arrived in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix with no expectation of finishing the race, thanks to a technical issue that’s plagued its 2026 F1 car since it started pre-season testing.
With drivers unable to complete a full race distance due to excessive vibration, which is also taking its toll on crucial components, the outlook might seem disastrous for the Silverstone-based outfit.
But Mark Hughes is taking the longer view. In the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show, he outlines the Honda engine issue facing the team, and why it says more about the scale of team boss Adrian Newey’s ambition, which may well come good before the end of the year.
He also explains what else he’s hoping to discover from the Australian Grand Prix, and what contingencies are available to F1 if the Bahrain Grand Prix is cancelled as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Plus, Mark answers your questions: which drivers are already at risk on the cutthroat F1 grid? What should we expect from this year’s new tyres? And will we see the Lewis Hamilton effect in action this year?
We’ll feature more listener questions next week. Don’t forget to post yours below:
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