Leclerc and Antonelli tip 2026 F1 cars to thrive in Monaco

Leading Formula 1 drivers believe the new 2026 cars could be at their best around Monaco this weekend, following weeks of debate over the sport’s latest regulations. The principality’s tight, low-speed layout has long made overtaking scarce and put a premium on qualifying, but several competitors think the revised machinery may shift that balance. Ahead of this season, F1 introduced a sweeping overhaul to both power units and chassis, widely billed as the biggest regulation change in the sport’s history. The cars are smaller and designed to follow more closely, while the hybrid systems now deliver a 50 per cent electric contribution—changes intended to boost sustainability but which have also sparked controversy as drivers grapple with energy deployment across a lap. Monaco’s unique mix of slow corners and short straights could be the exception that proves the rule. With ample opportunities to recharge through frequent braking zones, managing battery state of charge is not expected to constrain lap-time in the same way it has at other venues, potentially letting drivers push harder over a stint and in qualifying. Few know the track better than Charles Leclerc, who grew up in the principality and finally took his long-awaited home victory in 2024 after securing a third Monaco pole. "I think Monaco is actually going to be one of those races where these cars might be very good," Leclerc said. "We now have lighter cars, which I think is a good thing, we can definitely feel that and, for a track like Monaco, this has its benefits. "I think the electric side is going to be a lot less big in Monaco just because we'll be recharging quite a bit with all the corners that there are. "So, I'm quite excited for Monaco, it should be a good track for these cars." Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was even more bullish, suggesting the smaller footprint could open the door to rare passing opportunities. The 19-year-old Italian arrives with a 43-point cushion over Mercedes team-mate George Russell, though the circuit’s quirks could test the team’s bid to extend a five-race winning streak to start the season. "We may see some overtaking because cars are smaller," Antonelli said. "Of course, you will still have to commit massively to make the move stick, but I think it's not going to be impossible. "I also think it's going to be more fun to drive the car around the track. "It's going to be interesting with the smaller cars, with the battery. "Obviously there were talks with the FIA with closing speeds. I think Monaco is not going to be an issue [for that] because it's super easy for the battery because you don't have long straights, so we won't face that issue at all on track." One persistent flashpoint this year has been the higher reliance on electric power, which has sometimes forced drivers to alter their corner approaches to bank enough energy for the straights, especially in qualifying. Many have argued that the discipline should allow flat-out laps, with race pace also influenced to a lesser degree. Monaco’s constant braking and short bursts of acceleration could mitigate those concerns, at least for this event. As attention turns to the weekend, the spotlight will fall on whether the smaller, lighter cars genuinely improve raceability on F1’s most confined stage. Qualifying is still likely to be decisive, but drivers will be watching how energy deployment behaves under Monaco’s unique demands—and whether even a handful of overtakes can materialise. What to watch next: Can Mercedes keep its winning run alive on a track that punishes any misstep? Does Antonelli stretch his points lead? And do the 2026 rules finally unlock a livelier Sunday in Monaco? --- *Originally published on [Newsformula One](https://newsformula.one/article/leclerc-and-antonelli-tip-2026-f1-cars-to-thrive-in-monaco). Visit for full coverage.*