Leclerc plays down Ferrari hype ahead of home race

Charles Leclerc may call Monaco home, but when it comes to handing out favourites’ tags for this weekend’s Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver is refusing to indulge in sentiment – or hype.

Despite widespread paddock belief that the tight, low-speed nature of the Monte Carlo streets should finally tilt the balance toward Ferrari, Leclerc insists the narrative is getting ahead of itself.

In his view, Mercedes still arrives as the team to beat, even if Monaco represents the Scuderia’s best theoretical chance to strike.

The context is stark: Mercedes has opened the 2026 season with five wins from five, stretching its championship lead to 72 points over Ferrari. McLaren sits third, while Red Bull continues to hover in striking distance but not quite in the fight at the front.

Yet Monaco’s unique layout – where horsepower matters less and mechanical grip becomes king – has triggered a familiar question: is this Ferrari’s moment?

Leclerc isn’t buying it.

‘If there's one track I will bet on us…’

The Monegasque driver was clear when asked about Ferrari being labelled favourites on home soil, rejecting the idea outright.

“No. I think we are in a better place. If there's one track I will bet on us, it's probably Monaco,” he acknowledged.

“However, I still believe that Mercedes have had a significant advantage since the beginning of the year. So I think they will be very, very strong. I think McLaren will be very strong as well. I think Red Bull will be very strong.

“But it's true that on the other tracks so far, we've been struggling quite a bit in the straights, which should be less of a problem and we have a good, strong package chassis-wise and aero-wise.

“So I think it could help us. But Mercedes, I think, will still remain the team to beat.”

• Read also: Norris flags Ferrari edge in Monaco but not ruling out McLaren

It’s a statement that cuts against the growing paddock consensus. Ferrari’s strengths in low-speed traction and downforce have been widely viewed as tailor-made for Monaco’s barriers-and-bravery layout.

But Leclerc’s stance is more cautious: optimism about Ferrari’s potential, but no illusion about the hierarchy.

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