Hamilton Dismisses Ferrari Hype Ahead of Monaco GP

Lewis Hamilton is steering clear of the chatter that Ferrari could dominate at the Monaco Grand Prix. He’s choosing to concentrate on refining the team’s performance based on insights from earlier races.

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who’s been on a winning spree this season, has pegged Ferrari as the team to watch in Monaco. The circuit’s tight corners lessen the emphasis on sheer power, potentially playing to Ferrari’s strengths.

Hamilton acknowledges the potential for a strong performance but is careful not to get swept up in speculation. His recent second-place finish in Canada was a highlight for Ferrari, but he knows it’s just one step in closing the gap with Mercedes.

When asked about Ferrari being seen as favorites, Hamilton was firm: “I'm not listening to any of the hype. Our focus is on learning and progressing each weekend. There are no guarantees in F1, and the podium in Canada taught us things we need to improve on.”

The streets of Monte Carlo have been kind to Hamilton in the past with victories in 2008, 2016, and 2019. However, his first outing with Ferrari last year didn’t go as planned. After qualifying fourth, a penalty for impeding Max Verstappen left him scrambling to finish fifth, a race he later described as “miserable.”

Reflecting on the changes since 2025, Hamilton commented, “This year feels different. We’ve repositioned within the team, and I now have the right engineers. Their efforts are paying off, and I’ve had a say in the car’s development, which aligns with my preferences.”

Despite the progress, Hamilton remains pragmatic. “There’s no certainty we’ll be competitive everywhere, but I’m grateful for where we are. There’s still a lot of work ahead.”

Hamilton’s cautious optimism is a reminder that while Ferrari may not be the clear favorite, the team is making strides forward.