F1 wheel wars: are new rims behind Ferrari success?

Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas explain how the new design works and why it could be the opening shot in a new round of wheel wars, with Formula 1 regulations giving teams more freedom in their design.

They also consider whether this another example of Ferrari becoming F1's most innovative team, after its rotating 'Macarena' rear wing and clever spotting of a loophole around the crucial rear-end aerodynamics.

Ferrari will remain in the spotlight this weekend as it brings an engine upgrade: can it help Hamilton win for the second grand prix in succession; and does F1 need him to succeed?

Over at Mercedes, the questions of whether it should impose team orders to tackle the newfound threat have already begun. Mark gives his verdict.

He also answers your questions on the ideal driver line-up for next season; Ferrari's brake confusion; and why Isack Hadjar hasn't been blown away by Max Verstappen.

More 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/4w93qTp 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/4w93qTp

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Lewis Hamilton's victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marked a breakthrough for both the Briton and Ferrari, but how much of it is down to the man himself, and how much to a Formula 1 car finally built around his needs?

Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas dig into the remarkable turnaround of both Hamilton and team principal Fred Vasseur, exploring how the new regulations, bespoke brakes and a complete rethink of Ferrari's set-up philosophy have unlocked a seven-time champion who openly admits he forgot who he was last season.

With Lando Norris warning that Ferrari could "embarrass" Mercedes if they reach engine parity, is the 2026 title fight now truly on?

They also examine the messy fallout from Monaco's pitlane penalty chaos: Alpine's successful appeal has handed Pierre Gasly back his podium, but leaves Oscar Piastri and McLaren with a grievance - and George Russell's bungled stop adds another layer of injustice to an already complicated picture.

Plus, are Mercedes hiding a serious power unit reliability problem? And with a race-free weekend ahead, what does the rest of 2026 hold for Charles Leclerc, who heads to the Red Bull Ring - historically one of his happiest hunting grounds - needing a reset?

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While Lewis Hamilton looked back to his best in Monte Carlo, nothing seemed to go right for Charles Leclerc who ended his Monaco Grand Prix in the wall after a terrible weekend — two years after winning at the circuit.

Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas discuss the unusual, political situation behind the team-mate discrepancy, involving new brake discs for Hamilton and a different set for Leclerc — which were created to match Hamilton's demands.

They look at F1's decision to award engine upgrade tokens to every manufacturer on the grid bar Red Bull. Is the system really meant to reward the fastest performers?

Plus where has Kimi Antonelli's crushing pace come from after a hit-and-miss 2025 season? And how many more make-or-break races can George Russell fail to win?

More 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/49GnWSV 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/49GnWSV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.