The Monaco GP could represent an important shift in the balance of power in Formula 1 in 2026. The unique characteristics of the street circuit and some regulatory adaptations for the weekend tend to reduce one of Mercedes’ main advantages in the early races of the season.
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Since the start of the championship, teams have faced difficulties managing the balance between the combustion engine and the electric part of the power units. On various circuits, energy recovery has required strategies such as lift-and-coast or aggressive use of electric energy, a scenario that especially favored Mercedes.
In Monte Carlo, however, the situation is different. The layout features several braking zones, essential for energy recovery, and short straights, which completely changes the dynamics observed so far. Additionally, the FIA has determined that there will be no activation of the Straight Mode, an active aerodynamics system used on other circuits. The wings will operate with fixed elements during the race, without changes between low and high aerodynamic drag modes.
The entity also decided to keep the overtaking mode active, understanding that simply eliminating active aerodynamics might not be sufficient from a safety perspective. Ferrari and Red Bull, in fact, will not use their versions of flexible wings adopted in other stages, resorting to conventional configurations adjusted only before the race.
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In this scenario, Ferrari emerges as one of the possible beneficiaries. The SF-26 showed improvement in its dynamic behavior after the updates introduced in Miami, a performance later confirmed by Lewis Hamilton at the Canadian GP. The Briton found a setup that increased his confidence behind the wheel, a factor especially important on the streets of Monte Carlo.
Ferrari will also be able to exploit one of the SF-26’s standout features: strong acceleration capability, especially on corner exits. With this, the Italian team expects to compete on more balanced terms with Mercedes, as well as face McLaren and Red Bull on a circuit where drivability and precision in corners usually make the difference.
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