– Mercedes’ record in the 2026 Formula 1 season is flawless so far. At the five race weekends so far, the Silver Arrows have secured pole position five times and also won the Grand Prix five times. However, this streak could break at the sixth race of the season – at least that’s what World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli says.
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Although the Italian recently won four Grand Prix races in a row, he emphasizes to Sky: “I think Ferrari will be the team to beat in Monaco.” Background: The tight street circuit has a very different character than all the tracks so far this year.
“This is the one track where engine power is not the primary factor,” explains Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. And this is exactly the aspect that Scuderia itself has repeatedly named as the biggest weakness of the current package recently.
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“It will be very interesting to see how we perform there,” says World Championship leader Antonelli, “but Ferrari is definitely the favorite, because of course this winglet on the rear also gives them a lot of downforce at low speeds.”
What is meant is the so-called “FTM”. This is an air guide element mounted below the rear wing directly on the exhaust pipe of the SF-26. According to Ferrari insiders, this solution brings at least half a second.
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In Monaco, pure engine power traditionally plays only a minor role. It is mainly about downforce, and this could play into Ferrari’s hands this year. “The car likes Monaco,” explains Ralf Schumacher in the podcast Backstage Boxengasse from Sky.
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“Traction, kerbs, that’s something Ferrari is good at in Monaco. So they will definitely be fighting for the win,” believes the expert, who also reminds that both Hamilton and local hero Charles Leclerc like the track in the principality.
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McLaren driver Lando Norris also emphasizes: “Honestly, I think Ferrari will take pole position next weekend in Monaco. Their performance at low speeds is far better than everyone else’s.” And because overtaking in Monaco is almost impossible, pole position there is already half the battle.
“I think our car could really be strong there,” says Hamilton himself cautiously optimistic and emphasizes once again: “If you ignore the power deficit, we can fight with these guys [at the front].”
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On paper, Monaco is therefore probably Ferrari’s best chance of a win in 2026 so far – and perhaps the only one for now. Because at the following races in Barcelona and especially Spielberg, engine power will again be much more in focus.
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