McLaren's Monaco Momentum: Can They Keep It?

Monaco Grand Prix is coming! Get the inside scoop on the battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, team strategies, and what to expect on the iconic Monaco circuit.

Max Verstappen's dominant win at Imola last weekend proved he's still a major force in the Formula One title battle. However, the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix is expected to be a different story, with McLaren poised to regain momentum. The slow, twisty circuit of Monaco should suit McLaren's car, given their record 15 wins on these streets.

Home favorite Charles Leclerc, who won the Monaco Grand Prix last year, can't be ruled out despite Ferrari's struggles in qualifying sessions. Leclerc's skill and knowledge of the circuit, having grown up in Monaco, make him a contender. Mercedes, too, should not be underestimated, particularly with George Russell's strong qualifying performances.

McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are looking to capitalize on their team's Monaco pedigree. Piastri aims to extend his 13-point lead over Norris in the championship standings. With a mandatory two-stop strategy in place for this year's Monaco Grand Prix, expect some strategic maneuvering from the teams. Monaco's tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities make qualifying crucial, and drivers will need to be at their best to secure a good starting position.

21 cars started, just three finished!

Reliving the chaos that was the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix 😱#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/YLR1A9GxkS

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 20, 2025

The key question at the Monaco Grand Prix is whether Oscar Piastri can extend his 13-point lead over teammate Lando Norris. Piastri finished second in Monaco last year, behind Charles Leclerc, who became the first Monegasque winner in the championship era. Norris, meanwhile, finished fourth last year and is looking to improve on his recent results, with his last podium being a third-place finish in 2021.

Piastri and Norris will face a challenging circuit with tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities, making qualifying crucial for a good starting position. The race strategy will also play a significant role, with a mandatory two-stop strategy in place. Norris will need to capitalize on any opportunities to close the gap to Piastri in the championship standings.

Oscar Piastri is optimistic about his chances at the Monaco Grand Prix, saying, “It's a circuit I enjoy. Last year was a really good weekend for me, so hopefully we can go one better this year... I'm confident that we'll be quick.” Piastri's team, McLaren, has a strong record in Monaco, and he'll be looking to build on that.

The Monaco Grand Prix is known for being unpredictable, and the fastest car doesn't always come out on top. The track's tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities make strategy and qualifying crucial. This year, a mandatory second stop has been added to try to shake things up. Even top drivers like Max Verstappen are cautious about their prospects, with Verstappen, a two-time Monaco winner, refusing to get ahead of himself after finishing sixth last year.

Verstappen's win at Imola last weekend ended Piastri's bid for a fourth successive triumph, but Piastri remains focused on the upcoming race. With the added complexity of a two-stop strategy, Piastri notes, “And then obviously a two-stop race. So, yeah, let’s see.” The unpredictability of Monaco makes it an exciting event, and several drivers will be vying for a strong finish.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed cautious optimism about their performance in Monaco, saying, “Last year was very difficult for us. I don't expect it to be a lot easier this time around because there's... a lot of low speed, but we'll see.” Wolff's comments reflect the challenges Mercedes has faced in adapting to the circuit's unique demands.

The streets are calling 📞 This weekend, it's the ICONIC Monaco Grand Prix ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/n5qhxmR4Q2

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 21, 2025

In contrast, Red Bull principal Christian Horner sounded more positive, stating, “I think we're building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship.” Horner's comments suggest that Red Bull is gaining confidence and is well-positioned to capitalize on their momentum.

Ferrari, however, has struggled this season, with their only podium finish coming from Charles Leclerc's third place in Saudi Arabia. The team's lack of single-lap pace was exposed at Imola, where neither car made it to the top 10 in qualifying. This performance has raised concerns about Ferrari's competitiveness in Monaco.

Charles Leclerc is bracing for a tough weekend in Monaco, saying, “We expect it to be a challenging weekend. It’s a circuit that will expose our car’s weaknesses.” Leclerc's comments reflect Ferrari's struggles with pace this season, and Monaco's unique demands may amplify these issues. Despite these challenges, Leclerc hopes to capitalize on the circuit's specific requirements, adding, “It is very specific and you have to run the car differently than anywhere else, so I hope we will capitalise on that and bring home the best result possible.”

George Russell's strong qualifying performances could give him a shot at a podium finish for Mercedes, despite the team's struggles in Imola. Russell's ability to extract performance from the car in qualifying sessions may be crucial in Monaco, where starting position is vital. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, Russell might be able to overcome the team's challenges and secure a strong result.

George Russell is optimistic about Mercedes' chances in Monaco, citing their strong qualifying performances this season. “We've been good and consistent in qualifying this season with strong single laps and this will help,” he said. Russell believes that a good qualifying result will be crucial in Monaco, adding, “Monaco is one of these races where a lot depends on Saturday and I am confident in how we can perform there.”

Rookie driver Kimi Antonelli will face a new challenge in Monaco, one of six drivers to be tackling the circuit for the first time in a Formula One car. Although Antonelli is familiar with the layout from junior series, the step up to Formula One will bring new challenges. The tight and technical nature of the Monaco circuit will require precise driving and strategy to succeed.