WHY RIVALS ARE CONVINCED FERRARI WILL PRODUCE FIRST F1 2026 UPSET

Ferrari enters the Monaco Grand Prix as the outright favorite, according to its F1 rivals. McLaren’s Lando Norris expects a Ferrari pole, echoing Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s belief that their engine will be key. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella also tips the Scuderia.

Ferrari's strength lies in its chassis, renowned for exceptional low-speed performance and kerb-riding ability—traits perfectly suited for Monaco's unique, ultra-slow corners. GPS data supports this, highlighting Ferrari’s competitive chassis, particularly in the track’s tricky first sector. Compounding this, Ferrari’s smaller turbo offers superior corner exit and reduced lag, a significant advantage on Monaco’s power-insensitive layout. This also lessens the impact of their perceived V6 engine weakness, as easy battery charging further mitigates any ERS deficits.

However, new MGU-K usage limits this race could level the playing field. Less maximum MGU-K power means rivals might more easily compensate for Ferrari's corner-exit edge. Monaco will test if Ferrari's tailored strengths truly translate to dominance.