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Formula 1 heads to Monaco this weekend for its crown jewel race, the Monaco Grand Prix, and while the season has been dominated by Mercedes.
However, this race could be a golden opportunity for their closest competitors: Ferrari.
The Silver Arrows have won every race – Grand Prix or Sprint – with the sole exception of the Sprint race in Miami, which was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The Monaco Grand Prix uses one of the series’ tightest, twistiest and slowest circuits, meaning some cars will be better suited to it than others. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images)
It has put a significant gap in the standings between them and Ferrari; However, Monaco gives the Scuderia an opportunity to break the dominance of Mercedes and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
That’s because Ferrari’s car and engine are expected to be well-suited to the notoriously tight and twisty Monaco circuit.
All season Ferrari’s strength has been under acceleration. This has been most evident at race starts. Go back and look at almost any start this season and the Ferraris look like they’ve been shot out of a cannon, while the Mercedes and others often look quite sluggish.
With as many slow corners as Monaco – where some like the Hotel Hairpin and La Rascasse are among the slowest on the entire calendar – getting through them and accelerating out of them is a big deal. You can’t rely on straight speed like you can at other circuits and Ferrari, they’ll be cool with that as it’s not their biggest strength.
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A circuit with lots of slow corners should play right into Ferrari’s hands. (Photo by Guido De Bortoli/LAT Images)
Finding time in those slow corners on Saturday in qualifying can mean a start from pole, and in Monaco it really gives you a head start on a circuit where overtaking is almost impossible.
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Even the reigning champion, Lando Norris, expects to see the Prancing Horses start out front.
“Honestly, I think Ferrari will be on pole next weekend in Monaco,” Norris told Motorsport. “Their low-speed performance is far superior to all others.”
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will be looking for his second win in Monaco, which happens to be his home race. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Image)
Now, a million things can go wrong, even if either the Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton, starts at the front. Weather can be a factor; they could cut a wall; they may run into a technical problem.
But the key to winning at Monaco these days starts with the best possible track position and Ferrari are looking at their best chance of doing so so far this season.
