From Monaco
Ferrari seals a promising one-two on Friday in Monte Carlo, confirming the predictions of the eve. Lewis Hamilton takes the headlines, confirming an increasingly strong synergy with the SF-26 after the setup work of recent weeks. For the Prancing Horse, however, the road is still long, in view of a qualifying session where getting the tires up to temperature immediately will count as much as being fast. The competition is ready to take advantage, especially Max Verstappen, at the wheel of a Red Bull capable of correcting its defects.
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Ferrari starts strong
For the first time this year, energy management is not an issue, leaving drivers free to push in Monaco without any second thoughts. The new cars, moreover, lighter and softer in their suspensions than the previous ones, allow for a more decisive attack on the curbs and undulations of the asphalt, but this does not mean that the mechanical aspect has been neglected. Being able to decisively cut the track’s bumps still makes a difference in the Principality, a discipline in which Toto Wolff states that “Ferrari is in a league of its own“.
The SF-26 allows Leclerc and Hamilton to jump over the curbs and settle immediately upon returning to the ground, thus effectively transferring power to the asphalt. Once again, Ferrari shows it has a very effective suspension system in maximizing mechanical grip. The credit also goes to the work done on the setup, as well as the modification to the front suspension wishbone, already tested in Bahrain and now reintroduced in a race weekend.
The result is a convincing Ferrari on Friday in Monte Carlo, even more so than for the best times of the day, for the continuity with which the SF-26 manages to improve, especially with both drivers. That Monaco is one of Leclerc’s favorite tracks is no secret, which is why Lewis Hamilton’s performance has even more value. The multi-world champion seems to have increasingly found the right synergy with the car, after extensive work on data and setup carried out before Canada. Feeling confident is always important in the Principality, and this year in particular, given that the lack of aerodynamic downforce of the 2026 cars makes the Tabac and Swimming Pool sections more treacherous, forcing drivers to lift off where they previously went flat out.
The pitfalls are not lacking
Ferrari, in any case, should not think they have victory in the bag. It will be an intense night for the Maranello Scuderia, which, like its competitors, will work on the setup to further improve performance for tomorrow, a practice in which, at times, the Prancing Horse has distinguished itself negatively. Being fast then won’t be enough; they’ll need to be fast from the start. Hamilton and Leclerc’s best times came at the end of two practice sessions in which all drivers progressively improved with used and already warmed-up tires, while in qualifying the challenge will be to make them work from the very first lap.
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Getting the tires up to temperature is always complicated in Monte Carlo, a low-energy track with smooth asphalt, and this year it’s even more so. The new cars are more delicate on the tires, to which is added Pirelli’s choice to bring a harder range of compounds compared to the 2025 edition. Ferrari’s weekend will hinge on their ability to reach Sainte Devote in Q3 with the tires immediately ready, but race pace will also be important. Having enough pace to pull away and protect against an overcut or undercut will be crucial on Sunday, but Ferrari, unlike Red Bull, has not tested its long-run pace.
Verstappen leads the pursuers
Behind Ferrari is a surprising Max Verstappen, 168 thousandths behind Lewis Hamilton. Already on the eve, the Dutch driver praised Red Bull’s progress in slow corners, which had emerged as a weakness in Bahrain tests. Today, however, the RB22 has to contend mainly with its poor ability to absorb curbs and bumps, already reported by Max in Canada, where he stated he couldn’t even keep his feet on the pedals. In Monte Carlo, however, already between the first and second sessions, Red Bull managed to make progress, confirming a team skilled at reading the data collected on track and finding solutions on the spot. In Milton Keynes, the aim is to do the same for Saturday, with Verstappen dreaming of tripping up the Ferraris.
Mercedes is not shining at the moment and starts the Monaco weekend as the third force. The impression is that Antonelli manages to find the rhythm earlier than his teammate, but as the laps go by, Russell gets closer and closer, eventually finishing ahead of the Italian, foreshadowing a good duel in qualifying. McLaren, however, disappoints, only seventh with Piastri behind Hadjar. The MCL40 shows good pace in the second and third sectors, but struggles to get the tires up to temperature in the first part of the lap. Then the specter of reliability returns, with yet another electrical problem stopping Norris at the start of the second session, compromising the world champion’s preparation. Finally, it’s worth noting Audi’s excellent performance, eighth and ninth respectively with Hulkenberg and Bortoleto. The result will still need to be confirmed in qualifying, just like for Ferrari, which finds itself at the top of the standings in Monaco.
