Five things to look out for at the F1 Monaco GP
Formula 1 returns to its crown jewel event this weekend
By Hugo Harvey
Formula 1 returns to one of its most iconic and prestigious venues this weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix marks the beginning of the European phase of the 2026 season. Round six of the championship takes teams and drivers to the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, where precision, confidence and qualifying performance are often worth more than outright race pace.
After a dramatic opening stretch of races that has seen Mercedes dominate much of the campaign, Monaco arrives as a potentially season-defining event. The unique nature of the circuit presents opportunities for some teams while exposing weaknesses in others, creating intrigue throughout the paddock ahead of one of the sport’s most glamorous weekends.
Several major storylines are set to shape the event, including Ferrari’s growing status as the favourite, the evolving championship battle between Mercedes team-mates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, and fresh concerns over Red Bull’s ability to handle Monaco’s demanding layout.
Ferrari Emerging as Team to Beat
Much of the attention heading into Monaco has centred around Ferrari. Following McLaren’s disappointing performance in Canada, rivals have openly acknowledged that the Italian team could have the upper hand on the streets of Monte Carlo.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris was among the first to identify Ferrari as the team most likely to shine this weekend. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella later reinforced that belief, pointing to Ferrari’s impressive performance characteristics in low-speed corners and over aggressive kerbs.
These strengths are particularly significant at Monaco, where mechanical grip and confidence through slow-speed sections are essential. Unlike circuits that reward outright power and straight-line speed, Monaco places enormous emphasis on chassis balance and driver commitment.
Ferrari has demonstrated throughout the season that its car performs exceptionally well in these areas. The Scuderia’s ability to attack kerbs without destabilising the car has become a notable advantage, while its cornering performance has consistently ranked among the strongest on the grid.
Another factor working in Ferrari’s favour is the reduced importance of engine power around Monaco. While the team has faced questions about its power unit performance compared to some rivals, the principality’s layout limits the impact of straight-line speed deficits.
Lewis Hamilton highlighted this characteristic after the Canadian Grand Prix, noting how Ferrari could remain competitive through corners despite occasionally losing ground on longer straights.
With overtaking notoriously difficult around Monaco, a strong qualifying performance could place Ferrari in a commanding position for both Saturday and Sunday’s action.
Antonelli Continues to Defy Expectations
While Mercedes was widely expected to challenge for championships in 2026, few predicted that teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli would emerge as the leading force within the team.
The 19-year-old has been one of the revelations of the season. Four consecutive victories have propelled him to the top of the standings and created a substantial 43-point advantage over team-mate George Russell.
Antonelli’s remarkable consistency and composure have transformed him from promising young talent into a genuine title favourite in just a matter of months.
However, the championship picture may not be quite as straightforward as the points table suggests.
Russell’s campaign has been significantly affected by misfortune. After winning the season opener in Melbourne, the British driver endured setbacks in China and Japan before suffering a devastating retirement while fighting for victory in Canada.
Many observers believe Russell’s deficit is more reflective of circumstances than outright performance. Throughout the season, he has frequently matched or even exceeded Antonelli’s pace, only for reliability issues and unfortunate race incidents to impact his results.
Monaco presents an opportunity for Russell to begin reducing the gap.
Although overturning a 43-point deficit will not happen overnight, simply finishing ahead of Antonelli would help shift momentum in a championship battle that currently appears to be moving in only one direction.
History also provides encouragement. Last season, Lando Norris successfully overturned a substantial points deficit to Oscar Piastri during the latter stages of the championship, proving that title races can change rapidly.
For Russell, the immediate priority is not necessarily winning the championship lead back this weekend, but rather halting Antonelli’s remarkable run and reminding the paddock why he entered the season as Mercedes’ expected title contender.
Red Bull Faces Unique Monaco Challenge
Despite introducing significant upgrades earlier in the season, Red Bull arrives in Monaco with lingering concerns regarding one of its most persistent weaknesses.
Max Verstappen has openly acknowledged that the team’s long-standing issues over bumps and kerbs remain unresolved despite Formula 1’s new generation of technical regulations.
The Dutchman joked ahead of the weekend that he may need “a new back” after tackling Monaco’s notoriously unforgiving streets, highlighting just how uncomfortable the car can become over uneven surfaces.
The problem presents a particularly difficult challenge because Monaco is filled with bumps, elevation changes and aggressive kerbs that drivers must attack confidently to maximise lap time.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies explained that while certain solutions could reduce the issue, they would likely come at the cost of outright performance.
This creates a difficult balancing act.
Raise the ride height too much and the car loses speed. Leave the setup too aggressive and drivers risk struggling for confidence around one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.
Since overtaking opportunities are virtually non-existent, qualifying pace becomes even more critical. Any weakness that undermines driver confidence could prove costly during Saturday’s all-important sessions.
Although Red Bull has shown encouraging signs since introducing updates in Miami, Monaco will provide a completely different examination of the package’s effectiveness.
Qualifying Could Return to Its Spectacular Best
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the 2026 regulations has been the increased emphasis on energy management during qualifying.
Drivers have repeatedly expressed frustration about the need to carefully manage electrical deployment and battery recovery during flying laps. Many feel that modern qualifying has lost some of its traditional flat-out intensity.
Monaco may offer a welcome exception.
The circuit’s stop-start nature features numerous braking zones and relatively short straights, creating ideal conditions for battery regeneration. As a result, drivers are expected to spend less time managing energy and more time focusing solely on extracting maximum performance.
Charles Leclerc believes the unique characteristics of Monaco could showcase the strengths of the current generation of cars.
The lighter chassis introduced under the 2026 regulations should benefit drivers around the tight confines of Monte Carlo, while the circuit’s layout naturally reduces some of the energy-management complications that have frustrated competitors elsewhere.
For fans, this raises the possibility of witnessing qualifying in its purest form once again a spectacular battle where every driver pushes to the absolute limit with little concern for conserving energy.
Traffic Chaos Still Likely to Dominate Headlines
Despite optimism surrounding qualifying, one traditional Monaco problem appears certain to return: traffic.
The narrow circuit has always created headaches for drivers attempting to find clear track space, and this year could be particularly challenging.
For the first time since 2014, Monaco will host a grid exceeding 20 cars, increasing the likelihood of congestion during qualifying sessions.
Even minor delays can destroy a driver’s lap around Monaco. A competitor travelling only slightly below maximum pace can compromise the concentration, rhythm and tyre preparation required for a successful qualifying attempt.
The issue has been a recurring source of frustration in recent years, leading to numerous complaints and investigations involving impeding incidents.
Veteran observers note that traffic has always been part of Monaco’s character. Previous generations often competed with larger grids and significantly greater performance differences between cars, creating even more dramatic situations than those seen today.
Nevertheless, modern Formula 1’s intensely competitive midfield means that a single disrupted lap could be enough to eliminate a driver in Q1 or Q2.
As teams prepare for one of the season’s most important qualifying sessions, managing traffic may prove nearly as important as outright pace.
With Ferrari looking increasingly dangerous, Antonelli seeking a fifth consecutive victory, Russell desperate to reignite his title challenge, and Red Bull attempting to overcome its Monaco weaknesses, the stage is set for a fascinating weekend in the principality.
The Monaco Grand Prix has a reputation for producing unforgettable moments, and with so many storylines converging ahead of round six, Formula 1’s return to its crown jewel event promises another chapter worthy of its legendary status.