Lewis HamiltonPlayer·Lewis Hamilton has expressed strong confidence in FerrariTeam·Ferrari's prospects for the Monaco Grand PrixCompetition·Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, predicting the team could deliver a breakthrough performance on the Monte CarloVenue·Monte Carlo street circuit where engine power plays a diminished role.
The seven-time world champion's optimism follows his second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, FerrariTeam·Ferrari's best result of the 2026 season to date. Hamilton believes the unique characteristics of Monaco will finally allow FerrariTeam·Ferrari to showcase the true potential of their SF-26 chassis.
"Monaco is the track where power is not king," Hamilton explained. "There, the car's performance will be most important. And I think our car can be really strong there."
FerrariTeam·Ferrari has struggled to match MercedesTeam·Mercedes this season despite widespread recognition that the SF-26 possesses the finest chassis built under the new technical regulations. The Scuderia's deficit stems primarily from their power unit, which lacks the outright performance of MercedesTeam·Mercedes' engine, particularly in straight-line speed.
MercedesTeam·Mercedes has dominated the 2026 season completely, securing all five race victories. Andrea Kimi AntonelliPlayer·Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship with 131 points, followed by teammate George RussellPlayer·George Russell with 88 points. FerrariTeam·Ferrari's Charles LeclercPlayer·Charles Leclerc sits third with 75 points, while Hamilton occupies fourth position with 72 points.
The constructors' standings reflect MercedesTeam·Mercedes' supremacy, with the German manufacturer holding a commanding 219 points compared to FerrariTeam·Ferrari's 147. McLarenTeam·McLaren rounds out the top three with 106 points.
Hamilton acknowledged FerrariTeam·Ferrari's fundamental challenge this season, noting that while they can match their rivals through the corners, they lose crucial time on the straights. "This season we can't even get close to MercedesTeam·Mercedes. If we try, they just raise the pace and disappear ahead," he admitted.
However, Monaco's layout offers FerrariTeam·Ferrari genuine hope. The circuit's numerous slow corners and minimal long straights are expected to neutralize MercedesTeam·Mercedes' power advantage significantly. The FIA's confirmation that there will be no "straight mode" zones for the entire Monaco lap further strengthens FerrariTeam·Ferrari's position.
Hamilton, who has secured three victories at Monaco during his career, emphasized his determination to capitalize on this opportunity. "I will focus on having the same energy in Monaco as I had in Canada. I will work hard with our engineers to ensure that from the first practice session we take the right position in the standings."
McLarenTeam·McLaren's Andrea StellaCoach·Andrea Stella has openly named FerrariTeam·Ferrari as favorites for pole position, acknowledging their cornering superiority based on GPS data analysis. This external validation underscores the genuine belief that Monaco could provide FerrariTeam·Ferrari with their first victory of the season.
The Monaco Grand PrixCompetition·Monaco Grand Prix represents FerrariTeam·Ferrari's most realistic chance to end MercedesTeam·Mercedes' perfect start to the 2026 campaign. With Hamilton carrying momentum from his Canadian podium and the circuit characteristics favoring their chassis strengths, the Scuderia enters the weekend with justified optimism for their first triumph in the new era.
Lewis Hamilton, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Max Verstappen on the Canadian GP podium. Photo: Jan Huebner/IMAGO
Jan Huebner/IMAGOThis article was generated by AI (gemini-2.5-flash). Learn more.
