Ferrari believes that this upcoming weekend’s Monaco GP will have very different characteristics from those seen in previous Formula 1 seasons. According to team principal Fred Vasseur, the new generation of cars should significantly alter the drivers’ experience on the streets of the Principality.
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This expectation is due to the profound changes introduced by the 2026 regulations. The cars have become smaller, lighter, and less dependent on aerodynamic downforce, factors that promise to modify the behavior of the single-seaters on one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.
One of the changes is the wheelbase, which has been reduced by 200 mm, now at 3,400 mm, while the total width has dropped to 1,900 mm. The tires have also become narrower, and the minimum weight of the cars has been reduced by 32 kg, reaching 768 kg, making the models more compact and agile.
The changes are not limited to the chassis. The aerodynamic philosophy has been completely reformulated, with the replacement of ground effect tunnels by flatter floors and enlarged diffusers. Although the new active aerodynamics are part of the regulations, they will not be used in the Monte Carlo race.
Vasseur believes these characteristics will have a direct impact on how drivers approach the circuit: “Monaco is always a unique weekend, and this year will be particularly interesting with the new generation of cars, which for the drivers, should provide a quite different feeling on this type of track,” he stated.
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The executive also highlighted that the qualifying session will continue to play a decisive role: “It is a circuit where the qualifying session, confidence, and execution are even more important than usual, and where every detail can make a difference,” he added.
Another relevant aspect lies in the new configuration of the power units, which now approximately divide the energy delivery 50/50 between the internal combustion engine and the electric system. On a low-speed track like Monaco, where drivability and acceleration out of corners are fundamental, managing this energy becomes an additional challenge for competitors.
Vasseur also highlighted the special importance of the race for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque won his home race for the first time in 2024 and finished second the following year: “For Charles, it is obviously a very special race in front of his home crowd. We know how much energy he draws from racing in this situation. But our approach does not change, as we need to stay focused, build the weekend session by session, and ensure both drivers have the best conditions to extract the maximum from the car,” he concluded.
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