MONACO : Charles Leclerc will look to mark his recently announced Ferrari contract extension with victory on home streets this weekend as the Monegasque driver seeks to end Mercedes’ unbeaten start to the Formula One season and stop Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable winning run.
The Monaco Grand Prix, opening the European leg of the championship after races in Asia and North America, could offer Ferrari their best opportunity yet to claim a first grand prix victory since 2024.
Mercedes have won every race this season, with 19-year-old Antonelli emerging as the sport’s newest sensation. The Italian teenager has won the last four grands prix and leads the championship by 43 points from teammate George Russell.
“I think Ferrari is going to be the team to beat in Monaco and it’s going to be very interesting how we do there,” Antonelli said after his victory in Canada last month.
Leclerc, however, has consistently excelled on the narrow streets where he grew up. The 28-year-old has taken pole position three times in the last five editions of the race, secured an emotional maiden home victory in 2024 and finished runner-up last year.
The Ferrari driver enters the weekend as bookmakers’ favourite, with Monaco’s low-speed, high-downforce layout expected to suit the strengths of Ferrari’s car. The circuit’s emphasis on cornering performance and qualifying pace reduces the importance of straight-line speed, an area where Ferrari have occasionally struggled against Mercedes.
Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, now in his second season with Ferrari, could also be a contender. The Briton is a three-time Monaco winner and arrives encouraged by a second-place finish in Canada, his strongest result since joining the Italian team.
“If you take away the power deficit, we’re in the fight with these guys (Mercedes),” Hamilton said after the Canadian Grand Prix.
McLaren, meanwhile, will celebrate their 1,000th Formula One race start this weekend and hope to mark the milestone with victory. Ferrari remain the only other team to have reached four figures in grand prix starts.
Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen cannot be discounted despite Ferrari’s strong prospects. The Dutchman holds the record for the fastest Monaco Grand Prix, set in 2021 with an average speed of 157.833 kph.
Russell will also be seeking a change in fortune after suffering a series of setbacks, including an engine failure in Canada.
Monaco begins a demanding stretch of six races in eight weeks and will provide a fresh test for this year’s lighter and more agile cars. The event will also mark the Monaco debut of new entrant Cadillac, Formula One’s 11th team, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad makes his first appearance at the famous circuit in Formula One after previous experience in junior categories.
