Norris and McLaren Tip Ferrari as Monaco GP Favorites Thanks to Low-Speed Strength

Lando Norris and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella have singled out Ferrari as the clear favorite for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, citing the SF-26's exceptional low-speed corner performance and the circuit's forgiving nature for horsepower-limited cars. The Scuderia has historically excelled on tight street circuits, and the 2026 iteration continues that trend with strong traction and kerb-riding ability, making Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton the drivers to beat.

Why it matters:

Monaco is a crown jewel race where driver confidence and car balance matter more than raw straight-line speed. A Ferrari win would not only be a massive boost for the team but could also shift the championship narrative, especially with Leclerc chasing a home victory and Hamilton seeking his first win in red.

The details:

• Reigning world champion Norris was emphatic after the Canadian Grand Prix: "Honestly, I think that Ferrari will be on pole next weekend in Monaco. Their low-speed performance is far better than everyone else."
• Norris, who won the Monaco GP in 2024, admitted the MCL40's weaknesses in low-speed sectors do not give him confidence for a repeat, though he remains hopeful.
• Andrea Stella backed his driver, analyzing GPS data: "We can see that Ferrari is definitely a competitive chassis in the corners... and it's not only low-speed, but also kerbing. These features tend to be rewarded on a track like Monaco."
• Stella highlighted that Ferrari loses time on straights—a weakness negated in Monaco's tight confines. "You don't have much of that in Monaco," he said.
• McLaren's upgraded MCL40 is also strong in low-speed corners, but Stella acknowledged the presence of medium and high-speed sections (Casino at 150+ kph, Swimming Pool at 200+ kph) where Ferrari and Mercedes have an edge.
• Still, the overall low-speed emphasis gives Ferrari the upper hand. Leclerc's previous pole positions in Monaco (2021, 2022) underline the SF lineage's suitability to the track.

What's next:

Qualifying on Saturday will be the first major indicator. If Ferrari locks out the front row, the race could become a strategic procession around the tight streets. McLaren and Mercedes will hope to close the gap, but as Norris and Stella have made clear, Ferrari enters as the overwhelming favorite in Monte Carlo.