Reckon this will be an easy 1-2 for McLaren. Maybe with a Ferrari in there too.
I don't think Merc will be as far behind as many expect though.
Also think McLaren with shorter wheelbase could have an advantage.
Normally Ferrari would be on Pole but no XY-Mode could hurt them.
Or am I making a logic mistake?
Mercedes might be still on top as they have the "secret" mode of their PU. and as everyone thinks Ferrari will be on top they won't, so it Mercedes versus Mclaren... but maybe RB has the best Monaco package and VES will be Pole-man.
Dont know who is shortest specifically, but Ferrari has been pretty 'agile' in slower corners. Along with strong aero, that's why many are considering them favorites.
Seems silly to rule out Mclaren and Mercedes, though. ICE advantage is nice to have in Monaco and both teams have perfectly good chassis as well.
Lewis and Kimi are rapid in the slow speeds as well. So I don't think it's as conclusive now until we get actual running.
"The Chronicle of the Monaco Grand Prix: Anno Domini 2026 The Great Upheaval in the Principalities
The sun didst shine bright upon the golden stones of Monte Carlo, throwing the starting grid into a near predicted array. Count Charles Leclerc didst command his Ferrari stallion with furious majesty, claiming Pole Position to the rapturous roars of his native flock.
Yet, close behind didst lurk grave peril in robes of papaya: World Champion Lando Norris and his loyal shield-bearer Oscar Piastri—the bold upstarts of House McLaren—seized the second and third steps of the vanguard.
Behind them tarried the sovereigns of Mercedes: King George Russell didst set forth ahead of the young and fiery Prince Kimi Antonelli. Stranded in the sixth stable stood the sinister Dark Lord Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull chariot seemed sore paralyzed by the narrow, winding paths of the realm.
Of Sir Lewis Hamilton, the elder knight of eight crowns (AI knows!), his fate was sealed by a treacherous brush with the iron armco barrier during the heat of the timed trials.
This foul clip didst break his steering rod, relegating the venerable knight to P10 upon the starting grid.
The Onset: The Empire Striketh Back
The beacons didst extinguish! Count Leclerc made a wondrous getaway, defending his crown at the turn of Sainte-Dévote. Yet, in his wake, the air didst burn with fury. Prince Antonelli showed no reverence for the old order. With a daring lunge at the breaking zone, he didst force his steed past King George. The King didst cry out to his elders via the radio-box: “He hath driven me wide!”—yet the high judges didst see no sin, and the Prince didst give chase to the McLaren armada.
Meanwhile, Sir Lewis Hamilton, filled with the wrath of a wounded champion, didst carve his path from the tenth estate with legendary fury, smiting his foes one by one with wondrous pace through the swimming pool section.The Tactical Game of Chess by the HavenBy the thirtieth lap, the rubber shoes of the chariots began to wither. The strategists of McLaren spied a chance to overthrow Count Leclerc.
The elders didst command Piastri to make his chariot broad as a fortress wall, holding back both King George and Prince Antonelli. By this ruse, World Champion Norris was granted the freedom to strike Leclerc via the cunning "Undercut."
The plot didst prosper! When Count Leclerc returned from his pit-stop, the papaya-orange rocket of Norris didst slice past him by a hair’s breadth. House McLaren didst lead the field!Yet, a dark cloud didst gather in the shadows. Dark Lord Verstappen, who hadst spent the morn trapped behind the shield of King George, didst choose a path of extreme endurance.
He didst tarry long upon the track, setting wondrous times in clean air. When the Silver Arrows finally sought the pits, the Dark Lord, through sheer and ruthless constancy, didst slip past both Russell and Antonelli to claim the fourth estate.The Furious Tourney at the CasinoFive laps remained when a foul mist didst descend, greasing the stones of the track.
The chariots didst slide, and the steel barriers didst loom like executioners. Norris didst lead, yet Count Leclerc clung to his rear wing, borne upon the desperate prayers of the local crowd. At the Chicane of the Port, Leclerc didst attempt the impossible! He plunged inside Norris. The wheels didst clash! Sparks didst fly like stars! Leclerc didst save his carriage from ruin with a wondrous drift, yet his momentum was spent. Norris remained ahead by the thickness of a shield.
Behind them, civil war didst erupt within House Mercedes. King George didst beset Prince Antonelli at the turn of Rascasse. The Prince didst hold his ground, and the Silver Arrows didst strike one another.
Seizing the moment of chaos, Dark Lord Verstappen didst plunge his blade into the gap, stealing the podium from the bewildered Mercedes lords.
The Final Standings 1. Lando Norris – The World Champion triumpheth for the Upstarts. 2. Count Charles Leclerc – The Hero of Monaco misseth the crown by mere inches. 3. Dark Lord Max Verstappen – The dark surprise of the eve ascendeth the podium. 4. Prince Kimi Antonelli – The young Prince hath overthrown his King. 5. King George Russell – Vanquished, and consumed with wrath at his rebellious kin. 6. Sir Lewis Hamilton – A heroic quest from P10 rescueth noble points for the realm."
