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Why is the Monaco Grand Prix expected to suit Ferrari more than McLaren, Mercedes or Red Bull? – Andrew
Mercedes have dominated the 2026 season so far, winning every Grand Prix from pole position. The only time they made it to the front of the grid or a win was in the Sprint in Miami, when Lando Norris took pole and won for McLaren.
Monaco has been identified as the place where that run will end, particularly in favor of Ferrari in terms of car, engine and driver characteristics.
Monaco is the least power-sensitive track on the calendar. In other words, it’s a track where cornering performance – especially at low and medium speeds – is most important and engine power is at a premium.
This year, the Ferrari car proved to be fast in the corners, maybe very fast. Good for Monaco.
Meanwhile, the engine has both strengths and weaknesses. It has a good low-speed pickup, so they start well, but they lack high-end power. Again, Monaco is good, where a responsive engine is useful, and high-end power is relatively less important.
As for the drivers, Charles Leclerc is a fan around Monaco. He has qualified on pole three times in the last six years, was second on the grid twice and third once.
Lewis Hamilton is also typically brilliant in Monaco and is in better form this year after struggling in 2024 and 2025.
He and Leclerc are tied 4-4 this season and Leclerc is only 0.037 seconds behind the average.
Add it all together and it’s easy to see why Ferrari will be desperate for a win this year.
Having said that, a performance is a performance. Ferrari’s average deficit to Mercedes this year is 0.447s, and that’s a huge margin to make up for in the change in character.
And it would be unwise to rule out McLaren and Red Bull. The McLaren was quick in Miami, and has proved particularly good in low-speed corners this year. And Lando Norris won from Pole in Monaco last year. Max Verstappen is always impressive.
It may be the closest weekend of the year so far.
