Ferrari may arrive at the Monaco Grand Prix with a genuine opportunity to challenge for victory, as a series of FIA measures designed to control the performance of the 2026 Formula 1 cars could play directly into the strengths of the SF-26.
The Maranello-based team has already shown flashes of exceptional pace throughout the season, particularly on circuits that reward aerodynamic efficiency, mechanical grip and confidence through slower corners. While Ferrari has often been forced to compensate for a power unit deficit compared to some of its main rivals, Monaco presents a completely different challenge—one where engine performance traditionally takes a back seat to chassis quality and driver precision.
Following an encouraging weekend in Montreal, where Lewis Hamilton secured his strongest result since joining Ferrari, optimism within the Italian team has continued to grow. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion demonstrated increasing comfort with the SF-26, while several figures inside the paddock suggested that the characteristics of the Monaco street circuit could offer Ferrari its best opportunity yet to fight for victory in 2026.
Among those expressing confidence was Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who indicated after the Canadian Grand Prix that Lewis Hamilton could be in a strong position to challenge for a breakthrough win with Ferrari at the next round of the championship.
There are several reasons why expectations surrounding Ferrari are rising ahead of the race weekend in Monte Carlo.
Why Monaco could suit Ferrari better than any other circuit
Throughout the season, Ferrari’s biggest strength has arguably been the underlying quality of the SF-26 chassis. While the team has occasionally struggled to match the straight-line performance generated by rivals powered by stronger engine packages, the Ferrari has consistently impressed through medium- and low-speed corners.
Monaco is unique on the Formula 1 calendar because outright horsepower has a far smaller influence on lap time than at most venues. Instead, success is determined by traction, front-end grip, aerodynamic stability and the confidence drivers can carry through the narrow streets of the Principality.
Those characteristics align closely with Ferrari’s strongest attributes.
The famous Monte Carlo circuit is packed with slow-speed sections, including Sainte Dévote, the Grand Hotel Hairpin, Mirabeau, Portier and the Swimming Pool complex. The ability to rotate the car effectively and maintain grip at low speeds is often the difference between pole position and the second row.
For that reason, many analysts believe the SF-26 could emerge as one of the standout cars of the weekend.
Adding to Ferrari’s hopes is the presence of Charles Leclerc on home soil. Despite enduring a frustrating and uncharacteristically difficult race weekend in Canada, Charles Leclerc has repeatedly demonstrated his exceptional speed around Monaco.
The Monegasque driver has established himself as one of the fastest qualifiers the circuit has ever seen. Charles Leclerc has secured pole position three times at his home Grand Prix and finally ended years of bad luck by claiming a memorable victory in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.
After a disappointing performance in Montreal, many expect Charles Leclerc to return immediately to the front of the field in an environment where he has traditionally excelled.
New FIA restrictions could further reduce Ferrari’s biggest weakness
Ferrari’s prospects may have received an additional boost thanks to the FIA’s latest regulatory intervention.
Before the current generation of Formula 1 cars first competed around Monaco, the governing body had already decided that the active aerodynamic systems introduced under the new regulations would not operate in their standard high-speed configuration on the streets of Monte Carlo.
Safety concerns played a significant role in that decision. FIA officials concluded that using Straight Mode in areas where the tyres are not subjected to maximum traction or lateral loads would introduce unnecessary risks on a circuit surrounded by barriers and featuring minimal run-off areas.
As a result, drivers have been prevented from exploiting the full benefits of the active aerodynamic systems around the entire 2.074-mile layout.
Now, according to reports from Motorsport Italia, the FIA has gone a step further by introducing additional limitations to the power delivery characteristics of the 2026 power units specifically for Monaco.
The objective is twofold.
Firstly, the FIA aims to reduce peak speeds in several key areas of the circuit, including the uphill section leading towards Casino Square, the iconic tunnel and the start-finish straight.
Secondly, officials want to decrease the risk associated with cars arriving at high-speed braking zones, particularly Turn 1 at Sainte Dévote, where incidents can have significant consequences due to the confined nature of the circuit.
While the changes are primarily motivated by safety considerations, they could also have important competitive implications.
Teams that have relied heavily on superior engine performance throughout the season may see part of their advantage reduced, while cars that generate lap time through aerodynamic grip and cornering performance could benefit proportionally more.
That scenario appears particularly favourable for Ferrari.
Can Lewis Hamilton claim a first Ferrari victory?
Much of the pre-race discussion has centred on whether Lewis Hamilton can finally secure his first Grand Prix victory since joining Ferrari.
The British driver last won the Monaco Grand Prix during his championship-winning 2019 season with Mercedes. Since then, the event has often been defined by qualifying performance and strategic execution rather than outright race pace.
If Ferrari can fully exploit the strengths of the SF-26, and if the latest FIA restrictions successfully reduce the influence of engine performance, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could find themselves firmly in contention at the front of the grid.
Qualifying is likely to remain the decisive moment of the weekend, but Ferrari arrives in Monaco with growing confidence, a car well suited to the circuit’s demands and two drivers capable of extracting maximum performance when it matters most.
For Lewis Hamilton, the combination of Ferrari’s strong chassis, Monaco’s unique characteristics and the FIA’s latest regulatory adjustments may represent the clearest opportunity yet to deliver a long-awaited first victory in red.
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