FORMULA 1 AT MONACO: WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR THIS WEEKEND
Formula 1 arrives in Europe for the first European race of the 2026 season, the Monaco Grand Prix. The famous street circuit in Monte Carlo is one of the most iconic venues in motorsport and remains one of the most challenging races on the calendar.
The weekend will follow the traditional format with three practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. As always in Monaco, qualifying is expected to be the most important session because overtaking is extremely difficult on the narrow streets of the principality.
The main target for the rest of the grid is Mercedes, which comes into Monaco after five consecutive victories. Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the championship thanks to four straight wins between China and Canada, confirming his status as one of Formula 1’s rising stars.
However, Monaco could offer a better opportunity for Mercedes’ rivals. The circuit features slow corners, very short straights, and demands high levels of traction and aerodynamic downforce. These characteristics could help Ferrari and McLaren challenge the dominance of the Mercedes W17.
For Ferrari and McLaren, this may be one of the best chances so far this season to fight for victory. For the first time since Melbourne, Mercedes may not start the weekend as the clear favorite. Still, the Silver Arrows have shown strong performance in slow-speed corners throughout the season and cannot be underestimated.
What does Pirelli bring to Monaco
Pirelli has selected its three softest tire compounds for the event: the C3 as the hard tire, the C4 as the medium tire, and the C5 as the soft tire. These compounds are designed to provide extra grip on Monaco’s smooth street surface. Several parts of the circuit have also been resurfaced, including sections near Turn 1, the tunnel, and the pit lane.
Although tire graining may appear during the weekend, Pirelli expects it to have only a limited impact. The tires are mainly stressed by traction rather than heavy cornering forces, and overall tire wear is expected to remain low.
Because of these conditions, most teams are expected to adopt a one-stop strategy during the race. Last year, Formula 1 introduced a special rule requiring two pit stops in an attempt to make the race more exciting. However, the rule had little effect because overtaking remained extremely difficult, and it will not be used this season.
The biggest unknown factor in Monaco remains the close proximity of the barriers. Even a small mistake can lead to an accident, potentially bringing out a Safety Car or a red flag. If that happens, teams may be forced to change their strategies, creating opportunities and making the race more unpredictable than last year’s event.
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