Why F1 teams are so convinced of an upset in Monaco
The Race F1 Podcast
The Race Media Ltd
4.5 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 3 June 2026
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
On the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast, we discuss whether F1 2026 could be set for its first upset, with Ferrari hotly-tipped to set the pace in Monaco. But why are the Scuderia so fancied at this race, and if they are to set the pace, will it be track specialist and home favourite Charles Leclerc that leads the way or his resurgent team mate Lewis Hamilton?
Edd Straw is joined by Josh Suttill and Ben Anderson to discuss Ferrari's chances and who else might be in the fight for victory. They also discuss the rule changes that have been implemented for the Monaco weekend, explaining why the FIA has banned the use of active aero and how the energy deployment restrictions that have been imposed will impact racing.
Note: This podcast was recorded before news broke of Leclerc extending his Ferrari contract.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Athletic |
| 0:02.7 | The Race is on, and could F1 2026 be set for its first upset with Ferrari hotly tip to set the pace at Monaco? |
| 0:19.6 | And if so, will it be track specialist, |
| 0:21.3 | Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton, that leaves the way? I'm Ed Straw and join me to look ahead |
| 0:26.0 | to F1's most famous race, a Josh Sotill and Ben Anderson. Well, Ben, lots of excitement about Ferrari's |
| 0:33.5 | chances heading into Monaco. Should we really regard it as favourite? |
| 0:41.7 | This is a tricky question, I think, because I'm always a bit suspicious. I don't know about you, Ed, when all your rivals are talking you up as the favourite. That feels to me like |
| 0:47.8 | Spidey Sense should be tingling. I think Ferrari will be more competitive. I think it's probably fair to say it's their best chance of the season, |
| 0:57.6 | like it always is, seemingly. |
| 0:59.6 | They become sort of the Monaco Specialist team |
| 1:02.1 | with a car that tends to always perform better at low speed |
| 1:05.9 | and punch off the corners better, ride the curves pretty well. |
| 1:09.5 | This is kind of traditional stuff ahead of |
| 1:11.7 | 2026. But even if some of that stuff has translated and they have certain advantages, I feel like, |
| 1:19.9 | well, A, it's going to be very close because I just feel like Monaco condenses the top part of the |
| 1:26.4 | field anyway and places a lot more emphasis on what the driver's doing, how comfortable they are, a bit of luck with the traffic, etc. |
| 1:34.9 | And I also just feel like Ferrari, however strongly they started the season in terms of being that flying the ointment for Mercedes, they've been caught. The break, the extended |
| 1:46.6 | break through April, one race in seven to eight weeks, whatever it was. I don't think that's done |
| 1:51.9 | them any favours. So I just, I just feel like, yes, they'll be in contention, but it's going to be |
| 1:55.9 | a really tricky weekend for them. I think there's a lot of pressure because you look at all the factors going |
| 2:01.8 | into it. You look at all the strengths of that Ferrari. Like you said, Ben, it does seem like they should |
| 2:06.7 | be strong here. I mean, one of the biggest design features of the year is that small turbo and that |
... |
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