Greater confidence heading into Monaco
Lewis Hamilton’s second-place finish in Canada marked his strongest performance since joining Ferrari, and the result in Montreal could provide the perfect boost ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The Scuderia appears to have a genuine opportunity to fight for victory in the Principality, potentially ending a winless streak that stretches back to the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton himself sounded optimistic about Ferrari’s chances after the Canadian weekend, and that confidence is shared by former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. The Colombian believes the characteristics of Monaco could play directly into Ferrari’s hands, making the Italian team one of the favourites for victory.
Speaking to betting website talkSPORT BET, Montoya explained why he expects Ferrari to be particularly competitive around the streets of Monte Carlo:
“First of all, the cars will be smaller. That will be a huge advantage. The power deployment will be crazy; the speeds approaching Casino Square and the chicane, for example, will be much higher because there will be a lot of energy recovery. From a performance point of view, this will be the golden moment for the new car. The lower aerodynamic load will make driving more dependent on the driver. I think that will favour Ferrari.”
The former Williams and McLaren driver also pointed out that Monaco’s unique layout tends to minimise the impact of any power unit deficit.
“They are still extremely strong in low-speed corners. Monaco is probably the circuit where a power deficit matters the least. Having more or less power there does not make a huge difference. So I think Monaco could work very much in Ferrari’s favour. It has always been Charles’ circuit, but if Lewis were able to go to Monaco and beat Charles, it would be a huge blow for him and an enormous achievement for Lewis.”
Hamilton’s resurgence
Montoya was particularly impressed by Lewis Hamilton’s performance in Canada, where the seven-time world champion looked far more competitive than he had during several difficult weekends earlier in the season.
The 50-year-old praised both Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the way they raced each other, highlighting one specific move from the Ferrari driver as a sign that the old Hamilton may finally be returning.
“It was really nice to see Max and Lewis racing each other properly,” he added. “Lewis’ overtake was simply fantastic. It was a race-winning move. What we saw from Lewis in Canada is something we haven’t seen for at least three years. He is no longer the Lewis we saw at the end of his Mercedes journey; he looks more like the Lewis from the past, the one who would show up and do an exceptional job on race day. He is now in a much better situation. People do not realise how much of a difference it makes when you are in a good place.”
Hamilton’s strong result in Montreal has renewed hopes that the Briton is becoming increasingly comfortable with Ferrari’s machinery and operating environment. If that trend continues, Monaco could offer another important opportunity to demonstrate that he is once again capable of fighting consistently at the front of the grid.
Who will win in Monaco?
Although Montoya was full of praise for Lewis Hamilton’s recent form, he still believes Ferrari’s best chance of victory rests with Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver has traditionally excelled around his home circuit and will once again carry the expectations of the local crowd.
According to Montoya, Leclerc remains the clear favourite to stand on the top step of the podium, even if Hamilton could emerge as an intriguing outsider.
“I still think Charles will win in Monaco, unless he really struggles,” said Montoya. “I would love to see Lewis beat him, but if I had to place a bet, I would put my money on Charles. However, if I wanted to take a big gamble, then I would choose Lewis.”
With Ferrari expected to be highly competitive and both drivers arriving in Monaco with growing confidence, the Scuderia could find itself in a strong position to challenge for one of the most prestigious victories on the Formula 1 calendar.
Leave a Reply