Ferrari has been tipped as the favourites for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Ferrari has emerged as the firm favourites in the eyes of many pundits and fans heading into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, thanks to the performance characteristics of the SF-26 in street-looped, low-speed sections and the unique demands of the Principality circuit. Yet even with the prevailing whispers about Ferrari’s potential, one of the marquee names on the grid, Lewis Hamilton, has offered a measured verdict on their chances, suggesting that while Ferrari cannot be ruled out, there are still compelling arguments that could tilt the balance away from a straightforward prediction of victory for the Scuderia.

The Monaco layout has long been a litmus test for teams and drivers, with the circuit’s tight corners, unforgiving barriers, and the necessity for precision over sheer horsepower. In this new generation of machinery, the balance between downforce, handling, and energy management has taken on a more nuanced role than in years past, and the SF-26 appears to be well suited to exploit the cat-and-mouse nature of Monaco’s slow-speed sequences. The general expectation within the paddock is that Ferrari’s car, with its characteristic strengths in low-speed grip and its ability to maintain controlled traction through the hairpins and S-curves, might translate into a formidable performance around the tight confines of the street circuit. This has led many observers to elevate Ferrari’s prospects, especially when compared to teams whose strengths lie more in straight-line speed or high-speed corner exits—areas where Monaco tends to level the playing field.

Nevertheless, Hamilton, a seasoned veteran with more than a few Monaco campaigns under his belt, chose to temper the enthusiasm surrounding Ferrari’s potential glory. In discussions with the media, the six-time world champion argued that the Monégasque track, with its distinctive combination of obstacles and opportunities, will test every driver and every team, regardless of prior form or expectations. He suggested that while Ferrari’s strengths may align well with what Monaco demands, there are still multiple variables at play that can tip the scales in favor of or against the Italian outfit.

One of Hamilton’s central points centers on the fact that the Monaco weekend tends to reward not only outright pace but also the efficiency of setup choices, tire management, and the ability to extract maximum performance across a sequence of demanding practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the race itself. He pointed out that the track’s low-speed nature makes the car’s driveability, throttle response, and mid-corner stability even more critical than usual. If Ferrari can deliver a car that behaves with consistent predictability through the twisty sections and can manage energy deployment and brake-balance across the slow corners, they could carve out a performance advantage that translates into a strong result on Sunday.

Another factor Hamilton acknowledged is the progression of development across the field since the last race. He conceded that Ferrari’s form is competitive and that the team has shown the potential to translate weekend pace into meaningful results under Monaco’s unique pressures. Yet he also noted that Mercedes, rejuvenated by a recent upgrade, remains a credible challenger, and that rivals such as defending Monaco winner Lando Norris are also in the mix. The presence of multiple drivers capable of a breakthrough performance around Monte Carlo underscored Hamilton’s view that predicting the outcome of the weekend would be simplistic at best.

Hamilton’s assessment also touched on the broader strategic dimension of the weekend. He observed that the track’s narrow corridors and the proximity of walls will reward drivers who can demonstrate not only speed but also perfect line discipline and the ability to manage risk without compromising pace. In that sense, Monaco often becomes a test of composure as much as capability. For Ferrari, translating a strong qualifying performance into a race-winning strategy will require a careful balance between aggression and restraint, particularly in scenarios involving tire management and energy strategies as teams seek to optimize the delicate balance between pace and preservation.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Hamilton emphasized that the outcome would likely hinge on a combination of factors, including the weather, the exact balance of the car on low-speed stability, and how well teams adapt to practice data and changing track conditions across the weekend. He offered a respectful nod to Ferrari’s prospects while signaling that other teams will be pushing hard to close the gap and to claim a share of Monaco’s historic glory. The race, after all, has a way of producing surprises, sometimes rewarding those who master the art of incremental gains and steady execution overthe course of a demanding weekend.

In summary, while Ferrari has been widely tipped as the team to beat in Monaco due to the SF-26’s strengths in low-speed contexts and the track’s preference for precise handling and clever setup work, Lewis Hamilton has given a measured verdict that leaves room for multiple outcomes. He did not dismiss Ferrari’s chances outright, acknowledging their potential to secure a breakthrough in what is always a highly unpredictable race around the Principality. At the same time, Hamilton underlined that the Monégasque edition of the race would bring its own set of tests, and that the truth of who will emerge victorious will only be revealed over the course of practice, qualifying, and the race on Sunday.