Despite Mercedes’ five consecutive wins at the start of the 2026 season, Lando Norris believes that Ferrari will be the team to beat on the streets of Monaco.
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With five wins in five Grands Prix, Mercedes has established itself as the absolute benchmark on the grid since the start of the 2026 F1 season. Kimi Antonelli has won four of these victories and now holds a comfortable 43-point lead over George Russell in the F1 drivers’ standings.
However, Lando Norris does not see the Silver Arrows automatically continuing their streak next weekend in Monaco. The McLaren driver believes that the very particular characteristics of the Monaco track could completely reshuffle the cards.
“Monaco was already a circuit that suited us quite well last year” Norris recalled.
But according to the Briton, another team seems to have an even greater advantage in the slow sectors.
Norris impressed by Ferrari in slow corners
The reigning world champion thinks that Ferrari currently has the best car in the low-speed sections, a crucial element on the Monaco circuit.
“Honestly, I think Ferrari will be on pole position next weekend in Monaco, Norris said. Their performance in slow corners is far better than anyone else’s.”
After Lewis Hamilton’s very good weekend in Canada, where the Briton secured second place, Ferrari indeed seems to be gradually coming back into the fight against Mercedes and McLaren.
The Monaco circuit could therefore offer the Scuderia an ideal opportunity to confirm this resurgence.
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McLaren remains cautious ahead of Monaco
Even though Norris has great memories of Monaco, where he won the race last year, the McLaren driver refuses to be too optimistic.
“I’m looking forward to Monaco, because it’s Monaco. I had success there last year and it was one of my best weekends, one of the most exciting” he explained.
However, the Briton acknowledges that some persistent weaknesses of McLaren prevent him from approaching this event with complete confidence.
“In the areas where we know we still struggle, it doesn’t really give me confidence to say that we will be incredible.”
Barcelona expected to be a true revealer
Norris also believes that it is still difficult to precisely assess the current hierarchy of the grid, with Montreal and Monaco being two very atypical circuits.
“We remain encouraged, because it is clear that there is still potential to exploit, he said. Canada was a very particular circuit and Monaco will be a completely different track again. To really understand where we stand, I am especially looking forward to Barcelona.”
The Spanish Grand Prix could thus serve as a true litmus test between Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull in this already extremely competitive 2026 season.
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