Mark Hughes

Formula 1

Making sense of Red Bull's sole 2023 blip

Formula 1 2023’s dominant car couldn’t make it into Q3 in Singapore – but what exactly explains such a sudden performance drop-off in the RB19? Mark Hughes gives his verdict

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Where Red Bull truly stands after worst day of 2023

The Singapore GP doesn’t look like being a race of sure-fire Red Bull domination. Mark Hughes says it’d be a surprise if the car that comes out on Saturday is as ill-balanced as Friday’s one, but getting the RB19 into its sweet spot could be the difference between its race-winning run extending or e

Formula 1

Major McLaren package and Red Bull updates at Singapore GP

Nine of the 10 Formula 1 teams have declared updates for the Singapore Grand Prix with another major McLaren package and updates to Red Bull’s rear wing and floor edges among the upgrades

Formula 1

Is there anyone who could beat Verstappen in this Red Bull?

Christian Horner reckons no one else could get as much speed out of the dominant 2023 Red Bull Formula 1 car as Max Verstappen. Is that true? We assess how the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lando Norris might fare

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Where Perez goes after first hint of Red Bull exit

Sergio Perez has given the first indication that he’ll explore options outside of Red Bull before his current Formula 1 contract expires at the end of 2024. Mark Hughes explains his likely options

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Sainz fought valiantly against inevitable defeat

Was there anything Carlos Sainz and Ferrari could’ve done differently to stop Max Verstappen and Red Bull winning the Italian Grand Prix? Mark Hughes doubts it, especially given the impact of a crucial race day temperature change

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Ferrari’s rare triumph over Red Bull explained

Mark Hughes compares Ferrari’s and Red Bull’s best laps in F1’s Italian GP qualifying – and explains what it may mean for Sunday

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Ferrari looks formidable amid the Monza gambles

In Italian Grand Prix practice, Ferrari showed great straightline speed and slow-corner balance, while Red Bull still seemed to be searching for the right Monza trade-off

Formula 1

Ferrari goes furthest as F1 teams adapt their cars for Monza

The list of Formula 1 car upgrades for the Italian Grand Prix contains barely any actual upgrades – it’s all about circuit-specific tweaks to maximise pace on Monza’s straights

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Every peril Verstappen overcame for record F1 win

The wildly unpredictable Zandvoort weather introduced so many moments of jeopardy for the focus of the crowd’s adoration, Max Verstappen. But the way he avoided them all is key to what makes him and Red Bull such a potent winning machine right now as Mark Hughes explains

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Williams and Albon’s latest heroics are their best yet

Downforce-dependent tracks are rarely where Williams shine but Alex Albon secured the team’s best qualifying of 2023 at Zandvoort. So how did it happen and can the team expect to stay there on Sunday? Mark Hughes has some answers…

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Where Zandvoort pacesetter McLaren actually stands

McLaren’s strong form appears to be continuing unabated at the Dutch GP as, although Oscar Piastri crashed, Lando Norris led the way in FP2. But where does it really stand at Zandvoort compared to F1 dominator Red Bull? Mark Hughes runs the numbers

Formula 1

Major Aston Martin package among Dutch GP F1 upgrades

The first race since the end of the Formula 1 summer break hasn’t been matched by a flurry of upgrades, but there are significant packages from both Aston Martin and Haas on show at the Dutch Grand Prix

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why a qualifying DRS ban would barely hurt Red Bull

Even if reports of plans to ban DRS use in Formula 1 qualifying sessions come to fruition, it’s not going to do much to stop Red Bull, as Mark Hughes explains

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: What Verstappen’s radio scoldings tell us

Max Verstappen’s tense radio exchanges with engineer Gianpiero Lambiase were an attention-grabbing element of a dominant Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Mark Hughes gives his take on the Max and GP relationship, and what it says about Verstappen

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: How Alpine snatched its face-saving result

A first Pierre Gasly podium for Alpine – albeit in the Spa F1 sprint – could not have been better timed for a beleaguered team that had just announced a trio of high-profile exits. Mark Hughes explains how it was done

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Verstappen, Red Bull and Piastri thrive at Spa

Max Verstappen’s Belgian Grand Prix qualifying pace superiority – at a track where the Red Bull can really stretch its legs – was huge. But McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri showed similar hints of greatness

Formula 1

Mercedes package headlines Belgian GP upgrades

All but one of Formula 1’s 10 outfits have declared some developmental parts coming into the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps – and while many are specifically tailored towards Spa’s lower-drag demands and cooler temperatures, some are more general evolutions

Formula 1

Russell has ‘a bit of fear’ over F1’s Spa undercard grid size

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell admits he “fears a little bit” for junior categories below F1 racing with grids that he perceives as too numerous

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Red Bull-Mercedes pace reversal was so drastic

The margin with which Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix was enormous, even by the estimations of rivals who’d feared Red Bull’s pace. Mark Hughes explains why the RB19 was so potent in race trim

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: What’s brought Hamilton and Verstappen back on par

It’s suddenly 2021 all over again – Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes vs Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Mark Hughes explains why Mercedes is faster and Red Bull is slower this weekend

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: The reality beneath crazy Hungary Friday times

Forget the headline times from Friday practice for Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Mark Hughes explains why they were so wildly jumbled, and answers the questions they raise, such as: is Red Bull actually slow?

Formula 1

Red Bull sidepod change heads the list of Hungary F1 upgrades

Given Red Bull has more limited development opportunity than all its Formula 1 rivals – and less need to actually upgrade its dominant 2023 car – any major changes on the champion team’s design are always attention-grabbing

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: What Red Bull will want from Ricciardo vs Tsunoda

Daniel Ricciardo’s mission is to prove he’s a better bet for Red Bull than Sergio Perez. But first he’ll be compared to Yuki Tsunoda. Mark Hughes gives his take on what Red Bull will want to see

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Ricciardo gave up the seat he so badly wants now

Five years on from his fateful decision to leave Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo will give it his all just to restore that status quo

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why British GP jumbled the 2023 F1 pack so much

Aston Martin anonymous, Ferrari slumping, McLaren suddenly on the pace and Mercedes middling but on the podium. Mark Hughes explains why the chasing pack behind Max Verstappen was so shaken up at Silverstone

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: How McLaren beat cars it was no match for before

Not long ago, McLaren wouldn’t even have harboured hopes of being in the same fight as the like of Ferrari or Mercedes. But that was the case in Austria last weekend, and its Saturday performance at Silverstone suggests it’ll be the there again in the British GP

Formula 1

Inside Red Bull’s F1 bid for Ferrari-like total control

Red Bull Powertrains has been the subject of “scaremongering”, in Christian Horner’s words, amid debate about the suitability of the 2026 Formula 1 engine rules. Mark Hughes was among a group to get an inside look at the project

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Decoding British GP’s practice pace surprises

Williams and Mercedes were F1’s two biggest eyebrow-raisers – in contrasting ways – during British GP’s Friday practice

Formula 1

All the British GP upgrades as nine F1 teams bring new parts

Nine of the 10 Formula 1 teams have new parts for the British Grand Prix. While some are high-speed package tweaks just for Silverstone, others could be game-changing in some of the grid’s tightest battles

Formula 1

Red Bull finding 2026 engine issues as it’s ‘ahead of schedule’

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner have added context to their reservations about the 2026 Formula 1 engine regulations – with Horner suggesting Red Bull Powertrains being “well advanced” means it is discovering issues before its rivals

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why upgraded rivals still can’t touch Red Bull

Red Bull says it’s barely developed its 2023 Formula 1 car all season. Its main rivals are throwing plenty of upgrades at theirs. So why is Red Bull still so far ahead? Here’s Mark Hughes’ assessment

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Sprint dilemma doomed some – and saved others

For the top five in the Austrian GP sprint, there was no real need to pit for slicks even in the face of drying conditions. But those behind had no such stress-free luxury. Mark Hughes looks at who benefitted and who lost out from the late-race gambles

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Austria track limits farce has escalated

The regular Austrian Grand Prix qualifying track limits mess has become much, much worse in 2023. Why? And how much did it define Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc’s pole battle?

Formula 1

Ferrari and McLaren headline F1 teams’ Austrian GP upgrades

Part one of the three-part upgrade McLaren hopes will change its 2023 Formula 1 season and another big package from Ferrari are the headlines of teams’ Austrian Grand Prix upgrades

Formula 1

How FIA’s trying to close an F1 team ‘side project’ loophole

Formula 1 teams’ non-F1 engineering projects have always felt like a potential cost cap minefield. Mark Hughes explains a new FIA effort to tackle that

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Red Bull’s margin really was smaller in Canada

No, Max Verstappen wasn’t just cruising this time – Aston Martin and Mercedes were definitely closer to Red Bull at the Canadian Grand Prix. But have they made progress or did Red Bull have a ‘bad’ weekend?

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Tying Senna for wins rewards Verstappen’s patience

Max Verstappen’s Canadian Grand Prix victory – his 41st in Formula 1 – puts him level with Ayrton Senna’s tally. And while F1 wins are just numbers, they’re a real mark of the payback Verstappen has earned with his patient F1 career choices

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Why Verstappen was so comfortable amid the chaos

The crazy environment created by a wet Montreal qualifying provided a real challenge to every driver and team – but there are reasons why some emerge on top while others falter. Mark Hughes explains six key factors behind a successful wet qualifying performance

Formula 1

Mark Hughes: Ferrari has most reason for optimism in Canada

Mercedes was fastest on a very strange Canadian Grand Prix Friday, but the Formula 1 team that really looks in much better shape in Montreal is Ferrari