The wait is over, it’s finally that time of the year. Formula 1 is ready to kick off the European races in Monaco, the home Grand Prix of one of their own, Charles Leclerc.
It’s a special week for the Monégasque, where in 2024 a dream was accomplished, winning at home.
Can Ferrari and Leclerc’s master skills in the streets of Monte Carlo conquer another victory at home? Sport Just Sport writer Daniele Capri gives his thoughts.
Great expectations
Looking at how the season started, Mercedes should be in play for the win with McLaren, as they share the same engine, which is the most important component for the 2026 regulations.
However, Monte Carlo is not a track known for the car with the best engine, but for the car with the superior chassis, as the circuit features many slow corners.
Ferrari, struggling with finding a few 10ths because of its weak engine compared to Mercedes, can finally catch a break this weekend.
The Prancing Horse’s quality of the 2026 season is the chassis, being the fastest in slow corners compared with the rest of the grid.
Monaco could be a great chance for Ferrari to score big points, trying to close the gap with Mercedes while they await the new engine to help them fight for the championship.
It’s going to be a tight fight between Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren to secure pole and win in Monaco, with Ferrari being the favourite candidate for the highest spot on the podium.
“Ferrari is going to be the team to beat in Monaco,” F1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli said on Sky Sports.
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The home hero, Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc is the favourite to have a dream weekend like in 2024.
The Monégasque has always been a master at putting in a perfect lap in Monte Carlo, thanks to his precision in the corners.
The home hero has gained three pole positions in five years, with 2024 breaking the ‘curse of Monaco’ thanks to that long-awaited emotional win.
In 2025, Leclerc was close to victory, as he finished in second place behind the McLaren of Lando Norris, which was from another planet that season.
Leclerc was gutted that he couldn’t replicate the 2024 dream. “I wish I won,” he said in the FIA post-race press conference in 2025.
Could this be Leclerc’s year to win in front of his crowd?
Lewis Hamilton is in the hunt
All the hype seems to be on Leclerc, but let’s not forget about his team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, who in Canada has beaten his team rival both in qualifying and the main race, finishing in second place over 30 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
“I can definitely say it’s the most difficult weekend of my Formula 1 career so far,” Leclerc mentioned to the F1 press in Canada, after struggling in every session compared to Hamilton, who managed to get an important second place.
Hamilton can be a challenge for Leclerc, as he has found comfort in getting the right set-up with the SF-26, thanks to his work with the Ferrari engineers.
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
SportJustSport writers 
Simon Wilkes