Grading every 2026 F1 driver so far: Only one A+ on the grid?

Grading every 2026 F1 driver so far: Only one A+ on the grid?

Author: Motor Sport August 20, 2026 Duration: 57:05

Mark Hughes has handed out just one A+ so far this season - and even Kimi Antonelli's own team-mate George Russell can't quite explain how he's making a rookie-in-his-second-year look this good.


Using the old-school GCSE method, Mark grades every driver on the 2026 grid at the summer break, from the Ferrari pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc through to the biggest team-mate swings on the grid, where Oliver Bearman's A- dwarfs Esteban Ocon's C+ at Haas, and Carlos Sainz's A- leaves Alex Albon down on a C+ at Williams.


Mark and Bryn Lucas talk through how the marking system works, why it can never be truly scientific, and what separates a driver doing everything right in a bad car from one who's simply not delivering.


They also debate whether Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso deserves his grade given how far off the pace his car is, and name the team that's punched furthest above its weight - and the one that's fallen shortest - over the first half of the season.


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


Each week, the Motor Sport F1 Show with Mark Hughes cuts through the noise of the Formula 1 paddock. Hosted by Bryn Lucas and featuring the unparalleled insight of grand prix editor Mark Hughes, this podcast offers a clear-eyed analysis of what truly defines the sport’s relentless narrative. The conversation moves beyond mere headlines and podium finishes to examine the technical innovations, strategic gambles, and human stories that decide races. Regular guests join the discussion, providing depth to the latest events and previewing the critical topics on the horizon. It’s a dialogue for those who appreciate that F1 is as much about engineering genius and political maneuvering as it is about pure speed. This Motor Sport production delivers authoritative context, whether breaking down a controversial ruling, a rival team’s sudden performance leap, or the long-term implications of a new regulation. For listeners seeking a sophisticated and nuanced take, this show serves as an essential weekly debrief. The feed also features other series from Motor Sport, with contributions from iconic figures in the racing world, making it a comprehensive hub for motorsport audio. Tune in for a consistently detailed and engaging perspective on the world’s fastest competition.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Motor Sport F1 Show with Mark Hughes
Podcast Episodes
Mario Andretti: Centenary Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:47
F1 World Champion, four-time IndyCar title-holder and Daytona 500 winner, Mario Andretti is the first guest in a special podcast series marking 100 years of Motor Sport‘s publicationAndretti has been a regular in Motor S…
Podcast: Tom Kristensen — How I became Mr Le Mans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:46
Nobody knows the secret of winning at Le Mans more than Tom Kristensen: winner of a record nine 24 Hour races at La Sarthe.In this podcast, recorded in front of a live audience ahead of the 2023 race, Mr Le Mans gives th…
Leena Gade | Engineering the Greats at Le Mans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:16
As trailblazers go in motor sport, there aren't many that can match up with the groundbreaking achievements of Leena Gade, who joins Rob Widdows for our Engineering the Greats podcast series, produced in association with…
Gary Anderson: Jordan F1 designer on working with Hunt & Prost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:47
Gary Anderson joins Rob Widdows for the latest in our Engineering the Greats podcast series. The former Jordan designer tells how he started working life as a builder, then got his big break in F1 with Brabham as an engi…