Max to Aston: why he'd be up for the challenge

Max to Aston: why he'd be up for the challenge

Author: Motor Sport July 16, 2026 Duration: 50:32

Max Verstappen may be the best driver in Formula 1 at the moment. So why would he even consider moving to current backmarker Aston Martin?


Hear Mark Hughes' compelling case in the latest episode of the Motor Sport F1 Show, as he sets out why the four-time champion is considering his future, and why he'd pick the Silverstone-based team over the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.


There's also Fernando Alonso to consider: what happens to him if he's displaced by Verstappen? Mark has an intriguing suggestion.


But it's not just silly season on the agenda ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix which will demand more electrical energy than the current generation of cars can provide. Can Spa provide a great race, even if cars spend much of the lap recharging their batteries?


Mark and presenter Bryn Lucas also discuss who will win the team-mate batle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, now that they both seem to be in tune with their Ferraris. How do they compare with the greatest team-mates in F1 history?


Plus your questions answered: What if Toto Wolff had signed Verstappen for Mercedes in 2014; and what's really happening when drivers tweak the torque map and differential on their cars?


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/4gLZJPr 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/4gLZJPr


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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
Will super-clipping at Silverstone ruin the British GP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:34
The Formula 1 season has burst into life, with three different race winners in the past three grands prix, and a return to fast-paced racing rather than complaints about artificial overtakes and super-clipping.But the co…
Are trick wheels behind Ferrari's F1 pace? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:18
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 mo…
Lewis Hamilton: why he's back to his best [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
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Leclerc disaster: why he can't get the brakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
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.Ma…
Ten reasons the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours is unmissable! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
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Duration: 48:19
Ferrari is favourite to win in Monaco this weekend - and that might just be the start of a Formula 1 title fightback.Mark Hughes and Bryn Lucas reveal why the team could end the 2026 season with the fastest car, thanks t…
George Russell's worst fear... Kimi Antonelli's on his level [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:46
George Russell saw the Canadian Grand Prix as a chance to relaunch his F1 world championship campaign but instead his worst fear was realised. Not only did he retire with engine issues, his team-mate Kimi Antonelli was b…
'Max Verstappen will be fastest in the Nürburgring 24 Hours!' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:02
Max Verstappen races in the Nürburgring 24 Hours this weekend on a mission to win.But it's not just about the four-time F1 champion taking on one of the world's greatest races amid a packed grid and sell-out crowd - it c…
Can V8 engines save F1? Why they really are set for a comeback [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:28
V8 engines are set to return to F1: the decision looks inevitable — it’s just a case of when.Plus: George Russell has a big problem. After being outperformed by Kimi Antonelli, who took his third successive win in Miami,…