Leclerc Confident in SF-26’s Pace at Home Monaco Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc says this could be a very competitive weekend for Ferrari at his home Monaco Grand Prix.
2026
22 cars
What Happened
Charles Leclerc traveled from home to the Monaco paddock, anticipating a competitive weekend for Ferrari. He described the circuit as unique and expects the SF-26 to perform well, though he noted the difficulty of predicting positions due to tight margins.
“I think we can do well here, but it’s impossible to know exactly where everyone stands until we get out on track.”
Leclerc discussed the contrasting atmosphere of Monaco during the race weekend versus the rest of the year, and emphasized the importance of preparation, especially the simulator work. He also commented on his contract extension with Ferrari, expressing happiness and belief in the team’s project.
“Ferrari is where I want to be, and together we will continue pushing towards our shared goals.”
Regarding traffic during qualifying, Leclerc suggested splitting the 22 cars into two groups for Q1 to improve traffic management, calling it a crucial factor for the weekend.
Why this matters
Leclerc’s optimism highlights Ferrari’s potential performance on a unique track, where margins are extremely tight.
Terms in This Story
- Paddock
- The area in a race track where teams prepare and work on their cars.
- SF-26
- Ferrari's Formula 1 car for the 2026 season.
- Q1, Q2, Q3
- The three qualifying sessions that determine the starting grid for the race.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.