Can Hamilton beat Leclerc if Ferrari live up to Monaco 'favourites' tag?

Ferrari heads into Monaco as the team to beat, according to championship leader Kimi Antonelli and McLaren's Lando Norris. The Scuderia's SF-26 has excelled in slow-speed corners—a decisive trait on the tight, twisty streets of Monte Carlo. If those predictions hold, the internal battle between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could define the weekend.

Why it matters:

Monaco offers Ferrari a rare chance to snap Mercedes' unbeaten start to the 2026 season. With power deficits neutralized on this circuit, the team's chassis strength could finally translate into victory—something it hasn't achieved since October 2024. For Hamilton and Leclerc, both winless since mid-2024, it's a pivotal moment.

The details:

• Ferrari's low-speed advantage: Antonelli cited a rear winglet that generates massive downforce at low speeds. McLaren's Andrea Stella confirmed GPS data showing Ferrari gains in kerb-ridden sectors—perfect for Monaco's bumps and tight turns.
• Power deficit irrelevant: Monaco's 3.3 km layout minimizes straight-line speed, where Ferrari has struggled. David Croft noted, "Lack of power won't be apparent here."
• Hamilton's momentum: After a strong second place in Montreal—his best result at Ferrari—the seven-time champion has climbed within three points of Leclerc in the standings. He said, "If you take away the power deficit, we're in the fight."
• Leclerc's Monaco mastery: The local hero has qualified in the top three for five consecutive years, with three poles. He has only been outqualified once in seven home races (due to a team error in 2019). His sole Monaco win came in 2024 after emotional scenes.

What's next:

Ferrari's weekend hinges on qualifying—pole position is almost mandatory for victory in Monaco. Hamilton, who has three Monaco wins but only one since 2019, must close a 0.3s gap to Leclerc from last year's qualifying. If the SF-26 delivers its low-speed promise, Ferrari could end Mercedes' winning streak and reignite the intra-team rivalry. The first practice session on Friday will reveal whether the hype translates to lap time.