Monaco Grand Prix 2026 Preview & Predictions: Ferrari take over in Monaco

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Mon 01 Jun 2026 09:34

Jeremy Darke 2 hours ago

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Ferrari and Charles Leclerc heavily favored for pole and victory in Monaco 2026.
Track suits Ferrari’s strengths; overtaking will be very difficult.
Mercedes’ dominance threatened; McLaren & Norris remain key rivals.

Monaco F1 Preview & Predictions 2026 (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Preview & Predictions

Charles Leclerc is tipped to take pole position and finally turn Ferrari’s strongest track of 2026 into victory around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Preview & Predictions
Key Monaco Formula 1 Statistics
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Tips
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Race Tips

The Monaco Grand Prix remains Formula 1’s ultimate qualifying challenge, and in 2026 it arrives with a fascinating twist. For the first time this season, Ferrari head to a circuit where their biggest weakness – straight-line speed – matters least.

Monaco’s narrow streets reward mechanical grip, slow-corner performance and driver confidence more than outright power. That could be crucial for Ferrari, whose SF26 has consistently impressed through technical sectors despite losing time on the straights. Even McLaren boss Andrea Stella has suggested Ferrari could be the benchmark around Monte Carlo, while Lewis Hamilton’s strong run in Canada only reinforced that belief.

Mercedes remain the team to beat after Kimi Antonelli’s four consecutive victories, but Monaco is perhaps their most vulnerable weekend of the season. McLaren should also rebound after a disastrous Canadian Grand Prix, with the MCL appearing naturally suited to Monaco’s slow-speed demands.

As always, qualifying will likely decide everything. Overtaking remains notoriously difficult around Monaco, with just four on-track passes recorded in last year’s race. History backs that up too, with four of the last five Monaco winners starting from pole position.

If Ferrari can finally maximise its opportunity, this could be the weekend the championship picture changes dramatically.

Key Monaco Formula 1 Statistics

Four of the last five Monaco races have been won from pole position
Charles Leclerc has claimed pole three times in the last five Monaco Grands Prix
Lando Norris won from pole in 2025 and set the Monaco qualifying lap record
Monaco produced only four on-track overtakes in last year's Grand Prix

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Tips

Monaco qualifying is often the most important session of the entire Formula 1 season, and Ferrari look perfectly positioned to capitalise.

The SF26 has consistently excelled through slower corners, while Monaco largely removes Ferrari’s straight-line deficit from the equation. McLaren’s own data analysis reportedly points to Ferrari being strongest through the type of corners that dominate Monte Carlo, making Charles Leclerc an obvious contender on home soil.

Leclerc’s Monaco record is complicated, but his outright pace is unquestionable. The Ferrari driver has taken pole three times in the last five Monaco weekends and knows every bump and barrier around the principality.

McLaren should remain Ferrari’s biggest threat, particularly Lando Norris, who won here last season. Mercedes may struggle to maintain their recent dominance given Monaco places a greater emphasis on chassis performance than power unit efficiency.

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Race Tips

Monaco is one of the few circuits where track position still outweighs outright pace, making Saturday arguably more important than Sunday.

If Leclerc converts pole, Ferrari have an outstanding opportunity to secure their first victory of the 2026 season. The SF26 appears strongest in the very areas Monaco rewards, and Ferrari’s excellent launch performance could help protect track position into Sainte Devote.

Lando Norris remains a serious contender after winning here in 2025, while Lewis Hamilton could emerge as Ferrari’s second threat after his impressive Canadian performance. Mercedes should still score heavily, but this feels like the weekend where Antonelli’s winning streak comes under genuine pressure.

Verdict

Monaco Grand Prix 2026

Back Charles Leclerc for pole position and Ferrari to finally break through for victory in the 2026 and celebrate with a double podium at the Monaco Grand Prix.