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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 present a golden opportunity for its 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 tightest, twistiest and slowest circuits in the series, meaning some cars will be better suited to it than others. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images)
That has created a significant gap in the standings between them and Ferrari; However, Monaco presents an opportunity for the Scuderia to break the streak of dominance of Mercedes and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
This is because Ferrari’s car and power unit are expected to be suitable for the notoriously tight and twisty Monaco circuit.
Throughout the season, Ferrari’s strong point has been acceleration. This has become clearer in the race starts. If you go back and look at almost any start to this season, 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 does (some like the Hotel Hairpin and La Rascasse are among the slowest on the entire calendar), getting around them and accelerating out of them is a big deal. You can’t rely on straight-line speed like you can on other circuits, and Ferrari will be fine with that as it’s not their biggest strength.
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A circuit with many slow corners should favor Ferrari. (Photo by Guido De Bortoli/LAT Images)
Finding time in these slow corners on Saturday in qualifying could mean starting from pole, and in Monaco, that really gives you an advantage on a circuit where overtaking is almost impossible.
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Even reigning champion Lando Norris expects the Prancing Horses to start out front.
“Honestly, I think Ferrari will take pole next weekend in Monaco,” Norris said, according to Motorsport. “Its low-speed performance is much better than the others.”
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will be looking for his second victory in Monaco, which happens to be his home race. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Image)
Now, a million things could go wrong, even if either of Ferrari’s drivers, Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton, start at the front. Weather could be a factor; they could cut out a wall; They might run into a technical problem.
But the key to winning in Monaco these days is starting with the best possible track position, and Ferrari is looking for its best chance to do so so far this season.
