Loading
Kimi Antonelli has singled out Ferrari as the team most likely to dominate the Monaco Grand Prix, pointing to a specific aerodynamic feature on the SF-26 as a decisive weapon around the streets of the Principality.
The Mercedes teenager arrives in Monte Carlo on the back of four consecutive victories — a feat that makes him the first F1 driver in history to open their winning account with four straight wins. Yet for all his momentum, Antonelli is candid about the challenge Monaco represents.
Last year, the 19-year-old endured a troubled weekend at the same circuit — a difficult stretch that proved symptomatic of broader struggles during the European leg of the calendar. That experience now looms as a hurdle he must clear if his 2026 title challenge is to remain on track.
For context on what awaits him in the Principality, our 2026 Monaco Grand Prix: all you need to know preview breaks down the key strategic and technical factors shaping the weekend.
When asked about Ferrari's prospects, Antonelli did not hesitate. "Yeah, I think Ferrari is going to be the team to beat in Monaco," he told Sky Sports F1. "It's going to be very interesting [to see] how we do there, but for sure Ferrari is the favourite, because also with that winglet they have in the back [the exhaust-blown winglet at the rear of the car], it's giving them a lot of downforce at low speed."
It is a pointed observation. The SF-26 had already shown early in the season that it carries a slight cornering advantage over its rivals — a characteristic that maps naturally onto Monaco's twisty, low-speed layout. Ferrari's choice of a smaller turbo is also expected to work in their favour around the tight street circuit, adding further layers to what could be a well-rounded package for the Scuderia.
The only non-Mercedes win so far in the 2026 season came from Lando Norris in the Miami sprint — but the expectation heading into Monaco is that Ferrari could deliver the campaign's first outright race victory for a team other than the Silver Arrows.
Despite conceding the favourite's tag to Ferrari, Antonelli was quick to underline his own competitive intent. "So, for sure, it's going to be interesting, but I'll try to do my best, to put myself in the best position and to achieve the best result possible," he added.
With a 43-point lead over team-mate George Russell in the drivers' championship — a gap somewhat inflated by Russell's run of misfortune — Antonelli knows that a strong Monaco result, even if not a victory, could prove crucial to maintaining his advantage. His father Marco has urged caution despite the headline numbers, a reminder that the teenager's camp remains clear-eyed about the road ahead.
Monte Carlo, however, will be the sternest test yet of whether Antonelli's remarkable early-season form can survive a circuit that does not easily forgive inexperience.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.