Formula One returns this weekend to mark the European stretch of the calendar, starting with the Crown Jewel: the Monaco Grand Prix. Following a small break after the Canadian Grand Prix, all 11 teams and 22 drivers are set to return to the streets of Monte Carlo for a chance to win one of motorsports’ most coveted prizes.
Following the traditional Grand Prix weekend format with three free practice sessions followed by an all-important qualifying ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, the drivers will attempt to conquer a circuit that is not forgiving towards mistakes or risks.
Championship Standings Ahead of Monaco
Mercedes leads ahead of Ferrari and McLaren in the World Constructors’ Championship standings. Securing the top step at every Grand Prix so far in 2026, the Silver Arrows currently hold a dominating 219 points to their name. Behind them commences the battle for second place; Ferrari sit comfortably in second with 147 points, as the Papaya team trail behind them with 106 points.
In the World Drivers’ Championship standings, Kimi Antonelli maintains his record of being the youngest driver to ever lead the standings, and currently holds 131 points. Following close behind is his teammate and championship rival, George Russell, with 88 points.
Whilst the gap between the two drivers may seem big at the moment, it was in Europe last season where Kimi Antonelli suffered from repeated disappointing results; a similar drop in performance would change the championship standings drastically.
The 2026 Calendar: Stop and Start
Despite being almost three months into the 2026 season, the Monaco Grand Prix only marks the sixth race of this year’s Championships. After the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled due to unrest in the region, Formula One embarked on a planned break before returning for the Miami Grand Prix.
The sport’s arrival in Monaco kicks off the European stretch of the calendar; the Monaco Grand Prix will immediately be followed by the Barcelona Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for yet another double header. For many fans, Europe is the heart of Formula One, with many of these tracks having been on the calendar since the birth of the Championship in 1950.
The Streets of Monte Carlo
As one of the longest-standing tracks on the calendar, the Circuit de Monaco is not a surprise to any of the 22 drivers on the grid. However, it still remains a challenge for them all. Although not known for its racing action, qualifying in the Principality is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the season.
With 19 turns around the 3.318km track, it is perhaps the ultimate test for the drivers, as they must balance the precision required to keep out of the wall with the aim of extracting the maximum performance from their cars. The new regulations, which began at the start of the season, pose yet another challenge, as all 11 teams arrive without knowing exactly how their cars will respond to this historic circuit.
Key Storylines
As we near the sixth race of the season, there’s plenty of headlines from teams up and down the grid to keep an eye out for as they prepare for another weekend of battle.
After a difficult start to the season – including an infamous weekend to forget in Shanghai where both cars recorded a DNS – McLaren announced one-off livery and race suits to celebrate the team’s 1000th race. Off the back of another difficult weekend in Montreal, where current World Drivers’ Champion Lando Norris failed to take the chequered flag, with teammate Oscar Piastri unable to add to McLaren’s points tally, both drivers will be hoping to find success on the streets of the Principality.
Although enjoying a more successful season so far, Montreal was no less stressful for the Silver Arrows, which saw Kimi Antonelli and George Russell battling wheel-to-wheel at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for track position. Throughout the sprint, as well as Sunday’s Grand Prix, neither driver was willing to concede at any stage. This intense battle will undoubtedly resume again this weekend on the streets of Monaco.
At the top of the midfield, Alpine will take to the track for the first time since announcing their new title sponsors for 2027 and beyond: Gucci. Rumoured to bring in approximately $150 million as part of this new deal, the team will no doubt be hoping to continue their run of good performances as they battle to stay ‘best of the rest’ in the standings.
For hometown hero Charles Leclerc, the arrival of the Monaco Grand Prix coincided with the announcement of his new contract at Scuderia Ferrari. The Monegasque driver, who emerged victorious at his home race for the first time in 2024, announced the extension of his partnership with the team as they continue to aim for championship glory together.
Looking Ahead
Having won every race so far this season, it is fair to expect Mercedes to widen the gap from the rest of the teams once again this weekend. However, having proven that they are not invulnerable to mechanical issues after George Russell’s DNF in Montreal, it feels as though anyone could take the win this weekend.
With the success of McLaren’s recent upgrade packages introduced in part at Miami and Montreal respectively, the battle for second place continues to shift, with the historic names of McLaren and Ferrari going head to head once again.
The main question on everyone’s mind will no doubt be this: will Mercedes continue their dominating performances as they have done throughout the season? Or will a surprise race winner take the Crown Jewel by storm in 2026?
Featured Image: F1
Edited by Reo Lane.
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