The moment of truth had finally arrived for Ferrari, with the Scuderia heading into qualifying knowing it had several important cards to play. The two SF-26 cars appeared capable of fighting right at the front on a circuit that naturally suits many of their strongest characteristics. That potential had already been evident during the final practice session earlier in the day. However, maximum precision was always going to be required around the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, where even the smallest detail can make an enormous difference. On a circuit where confidence and precision are everything, a few thousandths of a second can separate several positions on the grid, making every corner and every braking zone critically important.
F1 Monaco GP Q1: Ferrari pushes hard and comfortably advances
There was no time to waste. Ferrari immediately sent both cars onto the track as soon as the green light appeared at the end of the pit lane. Fresh sets of Pirelli Soft tyres were fitted to both SF-26s, allowing Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to begin the session with maximum available grip.
During the out-lap, the drivers received several instructions aimed at maximizing battery charge while following the usual power unit preparation procedures. There was no preparation lap on this occasion, with both drivers pushing right from the very beginning of their runs. This aggressive approach highlighted Ferrari’s determination to immediately establish a strong benchmark around one of the shortest yet most demanding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
It was interesting to see Ferrari adopt this strategy, and it remained to be seen whether the same approach would continue during later runs. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed two consecutive push laps without significantly lifting off before beginning a tyre-cooling phase. Traffic management was naturally a major factor, with the team working carefully to avoid any surprises. Monaco qualifying is often decided by finding a clear stretch of track at exactly the right moment, and Ferrari’s engineers were constantly monitoring the evolving traffic situation.
Throughout the session, numerous radio messages focused on helping the drivers improve the car’s handling through specific corners. The radio traffic was particularly busy. Charles Leclerc was extremely vocal, commenting on everything from the car’s behaviour to traffic and overall driving sensations. Lewis Hamilton was less talkative but still actively discussed developments on track and the balance of the SF-26.
It was an intense period for both drivers. Lewis Hamilton was specifically asked to improve his minimum speed through Turn 1, where he was losing time compared to his teammate. Small differences like these can quickly add up over an entire lap around Monaco, where momentum is absolutely crucial.
Q1 passed quickly, with both Ferraris continuing to push hard. The mood on the radio remained positive, as the SF-26 was performing well and giving the drivers confidence to challenge at the front. Alongside Max Verstappen and Mercedes, McLaren also emerged as a serious contender, suddenly looking far more competitive than it had during the three practice sessions. Lando Norris and his team appeared to have found additional performance exactly when it mattered most.
Ferrari comfortably progressed into the second phase of qualifying, avoiding any unnecessary risks and confirming that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton possessed the pace required to fight for the leading positions.
F1 Monaco GP Q2: Ferrari unable to optimize performance
At the end of Q1, a red flag was triggered following a crash for Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi. The Brazilian rookie ran straight on at the harbour chicane, bringing his qualifying session to an early conclusion. Although marshals are usually extremely efficient around Monaco, repairs to the barriers meant the interruption lasted slightly longer than usual. Safety always remains the top priority around the Principality’s unforgiving streets.
After a 15-minute delay, the session resumed with fresh Soft tyres once again fitted to both Ferraris. The out-lap featured significant work on tyre preparation, with achieving the ideal operating window considered essential to extracting maximum grip from the Pirelli compounds. Tyre management is particularly delicate in Monaco, where drivers need immediate confidence when attacking the barriers from the first corner.
A slight tendency toward over-rotation was visible, particularly on Charles Leclerc’s car, although it did not appear to trouble the Monegasque driver too much. In fact, Charles Leclerc often prefers a more responsive front end, allowing him to rotate the car aggressively through Monaco’s slow-speed corners. This time Ferrari included a preparation lap before both drivers launched into their push attempts. Following the first run, tyre cooling became the priority. Charles Leclerc completed an additional attempt while receiving several pieces of feedback aimed at improving the car’s handling balance and extracting more performance from key sectors of the circuit.
Lewis Hamilton instead opted for a quick stop in the pits to make a small adjustment to the front wing. After returning to the track, he was improving before aborting the lap. A very brief stop followed before another set of fresh tyres was fitted, highlighting Ferrari’s determination to leave nothing on the table.
There was still considerable room for improvement. Several corners were not being approached in the most effective manner, and Ferrari appeared unable to fully exploit the potential of the SF-26. Both drivers improved their lap times, but a gap to the frontrunners remained. The feeling was that more performance was available if every sector could be connected into one complete lap.
Charles Leclerc repeatedly complained about traffic, feeling that Ferrari’s strategy was placing him in difficult situations. Around Monaco, even a slight delay behind another car can compromise tyre temperatures and disrupt the rhythm needed to produce a perfect lap. Lewis Hamilton was similarly dissatisfied, suggesting something was not quite right with the car. Despite these concerns, both Ferrari drivers still managed to progress comfortably into Q3, keeping alive hopes of challenging for the first two rows of the grid.
F1 Monaco GP Q3: Lewis Hamilton delivers, Charles Leclerc fourth after late mistake
Both Ferraris seemed to have additional pace available but struggled to unlock it. That became the key issue, especially as rival teams continued to improve throughout the session, making qualifying more difficult than expected.
The two SF-26s returned to the circuit for the decisive phase of qualifying. While the commitment level was extremely high, Charles Leclerc’s first attempt was compromised by a major slide at Turn 3, leaving him with a difficult lap from the outset. He also made light contact with the barriers, a reminder of how unforgiving Monaco can be even for the smallest mistake.
Lewis Hamilton, by contrast, produced a strong lap that initially placed him third behind Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, while remaining ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell. It was a competitive effort from the seven-time world champion, who appeared increasingly comfortable as the session progressed.
One final attempt remained. The British driver still appeared capable of finding additional time, while Charles Leclerc faced a far greater challenge. Sitting only seventh at that stage, the Ferrari driver needed something special to move forward without making a mistake. The tension inside the Ferrari garage was extremely high, with every member of the team aware that Monaco qualifying often determines the outcome of the race itself.
Charles Leclerc briefly delivered exactly what was required, moving provisionally into pole position and sending the local crowd into celebration. For a few moments, it appeared that Ferrari’s potential had finally been transformed into the lap time everyone expected.
However, the session was not over. Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued to improve, while Charles Leclerc decided to attempt another lap on used tyres. Unfortunately for the Monegasque driver, that final effort ended with contact against the barriers. In the end, fourth place was a disappointing outcome for Charles Leclerc, particularly because Ferrari’s potential had not been fully converted into lap time. The pace appeared to be there, but the execution was not perfect when it mattered most.
Lewis Hamilton extracted more from the session and secured a place on the second row, delivering a cleaner and more optimized performance during the decisive moments of qualifying. Nevertheless, Ferrari was left with mixed emotions. The SF-26 had demonstrated genuine speed throughout the weekend, yet neither driver managed to secure a position on the front row. As a result, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will start from the second row after a qualifying session that left the Scuderia wondering what might have been. While the overall pace was encouraging, the feeling remains that Ferrari had the potential to achieve even more around the streets of Monte Carlo.
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