Antonelli Tips Ferrari as Monaco Favorites, While Hamilton Sees Opportunity

Kimi Antonelli is on a roll with a string of victories, but as the Monaco Grand Prix approaches, he’s got his eye on Ferrari as the team to watch. The Mercedes driver, fresh off a win in Montreal, thinks that the Italian squad could be formidable on the twisty streets of Monte Carlo.

Antonelli, who currently leads the World Championship standings with a comfortable 43-point cushion over teammate George Russell, shared his thoughts with _Sky Sports F1_. "I think Ferrari’s going to be the team to beat in Monaco," he said, noting their car's impressive low-speed downforce, thanks to a particular winglet design.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who enjoyed a strong outing in Canada with a second-place finish for Ferrari, is optimistic about their chances in Monaco. Though the circuit doesn’t emphasize engine power as much as others, Hamilton sees this as an opportunity. "That’s the one track where power is not king," the seven-time World Champion pointed out, suggesting that car performance could give them an edge.

Hamilton is preparing to dive deep into the technical details with his engineers to maximize the car's setup from the outset. "I’m really going to focus on making sure I arrive with the same energy as I had this weekend," he said, hinting at a strategic approach to tackle the unique challenges of Monaco.

Despite facing a power disadvantage on more open tracks, Hamilton remains hopeful that recent regulations might help level the playing field. "I really hope with this new rule that enables us to try to improve some performance, so we can get back in the fight," he added.

As the Formula 1 circus heads to the glamorous streets of Monte Carlo, all eyes will be on whether Ferrari can capitalize on their strengths, or if Mercedes will continue their dominant form. Either way, the stage is set for an intriguing race.