Despite the impressive dominance of Mercedes since the start of the 2026 season, Lando Norris believes that the hierarchy could be shaken up as early as the next Grand Prix in Monaco.
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While Mercedes has won the first five races of the season and secured all the pole positions notably thanks to the performances of Kimi Antonelli, Norris considers that the unique characteristics of the Monaco circuit could play in favor of Scuderia Ferrari.
The McLaren driver did not hesitate to name Scuderia as the favorite for qualifying: “Honestly, I think the Ferrari will be on pole next weekend in Monaco.”
A circuit made for Ferrari
According to Norris, the main strength of the SF-26 currently lies in slow corners, a sector particularly crucial in the streets of Monte-Carlo: ” Their performance in slow corners is far better than anyone else’s.”
This analysis aligns with that recently made by several paddock observers, as well as by the McLaren director, Andrea Stella, who also sees Ferrari as particularly competitive on this type of circuit.
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Norris arrives in the Principality with particularly positive memories. Winner in Monaco last year, the Briton still considers this victory as one of the highlights of his career: “I’m looking forward to Monaco because it’s Monaco. I had success there last year and it remains one of my best weekends, one of the most exciting. And also Silverstone because it’s my home!”
Verdict in Barcelona
Despite this enthusiasm, Norris refuses to overestimate McLaren’s chances in the Monaco streets. Some weaknesses of the MCL40 could be more exposed on this atypical circuit: “In the areas where we know we are struggling, it’s not a circuit that gives me confidence to say we’re going to be incredible.”
The Briton also believes that it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions regarding the latest developments brought by McLaren. According to him, the real test will come at the next round in Barcelona, on a much more representative circuit: “Canada was very atypical and Monaco is still a very different circuit. Waiting for Barcelona to really see where we stand is something that excites me.”
While Norris places Ferrari as the favorite for pole position, the fight promises to be extremely close between Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren. In the narrow streets of Monaco, where qualifying is often decisive for victory, a few hundredths of a second could be enough to tip the balance for an entire weekend.
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