McLaren returns to victory in the narrow streets of the Principality for the first time since 2008. A cathartic win for Lando Norris, who delivered a flawless weekend on the track that above all demands mental strength. Ferrari and Charles Leclerc surprised by securing an unexpected second place on the eve of the Monte Carlo weekend. The SF-25 single-seater came back to life in Monaco, a circuit that simultaneously revealed why the MCL39 is the best car on the grid, while awaiting the technical directive on flexible wings that will be introduced starting with the next round of the 2025 Formula 1 championship and which is already causing mixed expectations.
New rule, same race
There was great curiosity about the experiment of the mandatory double pit stop aimed at enlivening the most monotonous race of the year, but it proved ineffective in achieving its goal, even if it did introduce some confusion. On the fringes of the points zone, early skirmishes and shameless strategies emerged, with exasperating slowdowns of several seconds per lap—so much so that some drivers preferred to take a drive-through penalty just to escape by cutting the track. The front runners were therefore able to race without concern for traffic when deciding pit strategy, with lapping phases offering rare moments of excitement. The only top driver to recover positions was Lewis Hamilton, who capitalized on clear air after the pit stops of Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso to climb to fifth place.
The key moment came with Charles Leclerc’s final pursuit of Lando Norris, who was being hampered by turbulence from Max Verstappen, creating the typical Monaco tension in anticipation of an overtake that would never come. Once the Red Bull pitted, the McLaren driver immediately made it clear that he had everything under control, pulling two seconds ahead of the Ferrari SF-25 car in a single lap, capping a Sunday in which the Briton consistently seemed to have something extra. Lando Norris therefore clinched a victory that could mark a turning point in both his season and his career. In the past, Monaco has been pivotal in the growth of Max Verstappen, who matured in his ability to manage aggression, and of Charles Leclerc, who exorcised his demons—now the hope is that it could do the same for Lando Norris.
But what was the main difference between McLaren and Ferrari on the streets of Monte Carlo? In some ways, McLaren’s historic win is surprising, having taken the most important pole position of the year despite a car that is difficult to push to the limit in the qualifying session. Even more surprising, however, is Ferrari’s podium finish on a track that should have most exposed its weaknesses. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur admitted that expectations had not been very high after Miami and Imola, as the Maranello team had struggled significantly in the slow corners. In Monaco, however, the SF-25 proved more competitive in the few fast corners, also taking advantage of its strong agility over the kerbs and a setup that was less compromised due to minimal concerns about floor wear.
Still, these strengths were not sufficient to outperform a McLaren that dominated the slower sections while also managing bumps effortlessly, a performance that highlighted the true capabilities of its design. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella noted that the changes made to the MCL39 since the previous year had contributed to the team’s improved competitiveness in Monaco.
At the start of the year, there were doubts that McLaren’s extreme suspension design could undermine its mechanical grip, but the MCL39 car’s performance in the Principality was the best counterargument. That papaya-colored machine delivers performance without running too low or stiff, maintaining suspension movement that allows greater flexibility in balance adjustments.
These traits make the MCL39 the most complete car on the grid, even victorious on the most atypical circuit of all. Its versatility doesn’t make it dominant on faster tracks, where it has already conceded two poles and two wins to Max Verstappen, and it must also beware of a Ferrari that thrives on speed. But McLaren can dream of the title because it is the only team consistently competitive on every kind of circuit, even ones as different from each other as apples, pears, and peaches—a metaphor much loved by Andrea Stella.
Waiting for Spain
On track and in the standings, McLaren looks down on everyone else. However, Ferrari is counting on the new front wing flexibility tests expected for Barcelona to reduce that dominance. Frederic Vasseur commented that the situation could represent a turning point for everyone, as the impact of the new rules remained uncertain. The outlook is different from rivals, who believe the new rules will not overturn the situation. According to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, the divergence of opinion stems from internal awareness. Toto Wolff observed that Ferrari had likely been the most conservative team regarding flexible wings and noted that it remained to be seen how the new rules would affect the pecking order, adding that he was not sure they would have any significant impact.
Along with the new front wings, other aerodynamic upgrades will arrive next weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya in the Spanish Grand Prix, but not for Ferrari. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t want to introduce too many variables, preferring the team to stay focused on understanding how to set up the car in response to the new, stiffer wing regulations. Barcelona will be a key crossroads in the championship’s dynamics, but McLaren’s very versatility may be the extra weapon it needs to stay ahead of everyone.
Red Bull waits, Mercedes studies
Among those hoping for the new tests is Max Verstappen, who endured a survival race in Monaco, pocketing important points while waiting for better opportunities to fight. One of those could be Barcelona, a track that will highlight the RB21’s high-speed strengths, a car that once again showed its weaknesses in slow corners in the Principality. Elsewhere in the Red Bull camp, Racing Bulls had reason to smile, finishing sixth and eighth with Hadjar and Lawson.
The mood was entirely different at Mercedes, eager to quickly forget the Monaco weekend. Beyond the double zero and struggles over the kerbs, what’s most worrying is the uncertainty shown with the upgrades, including the return to the pre-Imola rear suspension. “We’ve seen not only with us, but also with Red Bull and Ferrari, that you can suddenly lose your way and find yourself in a place where you don’t know where you are, or if the upgrades are even working,” revealed Toto Wolff. His words sounded like an alarm bell for Mercedes, which appears to also be a victim of the development difficulties of ground-effect cars—challenges from which McLaren continues to remain unaffected.
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