Norris flags Ferrari edge in Monaco but not ruling out McLaren

As Formula 1 arrives in Monaco, Lando Norris is once again looking toward Ferrari as the team most likely to disrupt Mercedes’ perfect start to the 2026 season.

But while the reigning world champion sees plenty of reasons to fear the Scuderia around the Principality’s narrow streets, he is not ruling out McLaren’s own chances of repeating last year’s success.

Mercedes has swept every grand prix so far this season, but Monaco has long been a circuit capable of rewriting the script. And according to Norris, Ferrari’s strengths appear tailor-made for the challenge ahead.

Ferrari's Monaco opportunity

The Briton believes Ferrari’s combination of downforce, traction and low-speed performance could finally allow it to take the fight to the Silver Arrows.

“It’s just so tough to say,” he said when asked to predict the running order this weekend.

“We were closer to pole this year in Montreal than we were last year, where we had a more dominant car. We went on to win at a similar characteristic of track, low speed, that we have here. So when you think of those things, it gives us confidence.

“When you think of various other things like, just our general performances this year, less so. But we also know where we stand compared to the other cars and where they are faster, where they are not.

“It’s true that the Ferraris are not the quickest in the straights but that’s also because they have a lot of downforce and a lot of drag. It’s kind of their own punishment they give themselves, which gives them some advantage and that advantage will definitely show this weekend.”

Ferrari’s horsepower deficit has been exposed at power-sensitive circuits this season, but Monaco offers a rare venue where outright straight-line speed matters far less than confidence through tight corners and traction out of slow-speed turns.

The belief ‘that it’s possible’

Despite identifying Ferrari as a major threat, Norris is not arriving in Monaco simply hoping for a podium. The McLaren driver, who claimed a breakthrough victory on the streets of Monte Carlo last year, believes his team can still be firmly in the fight.

“I think our run into this weekend this time last year was probably a bit better than we’ve had this year, so maybe not quite to the level it was last season. But I think we’re optimistic,” he explained.

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“We still want to come in with hopes of trying to achieve a pole and trying to achieve a win. That’s still the goals we want to set ourselves, but Ferrari and Mercedes have been very strong, Mercedes even more so.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We don’t want to be too optimistic, but at the same time, we want to come into weekends with the belief that it’s possible. That’s the way we want to stay for now.”

With Mercedes chasing another victory, Ferrari sensing an opportunity, and McLaren refusing to surrender before the first lap is even completed, Monaco could yet provide the season’s most unpredictable showdown.

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