Hamilton Buzzing for Monaco Debut in Ferrari as Leclerc Warns of Tough Weekend Ahead
As the iconic streets of Monte Carlo prepare to host another thrilling chapter in Formula 1 history, Lewis Hamilton is brimming with anticipation. The seven-time world champion, now donning Ferrari red, admitted he’s so excited for his first Monaco Grand Prix with the Scuderia that he might struggle to sleep.
“Driving a Ferrari around this track is mad,” Hamilton shared. “Every weekend with this team still feels like the first, and Monaco is something I’ve always dreamed of experiencing from the Ferrari garage. I’m really buzzing — I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight.”
Fresh off a strong fourth-place finish in Imola, his best result since joining Ferrari, Hamilton is cautiously optimistic. He noted the team is working hard behind the scenes, using simulation data and engineering insights to prepare for the uniquely challenging circuit.
“I was back on the simulator Monday, working on correlation with the engineers. Monaco is a totally different track. Ferrari has a decent history here, but qualifying is everything — and that’s been our weakness this year,” he explained.
His teammate, Charles Leclerc, who was born and raised in Monaco, struck a more cautious tone. Despite racing at home, the Monegasque driver admitted the Ferrari package may not be ideally suited for the tight and twisty layout of Monte Carlo.
“On paper, it doesn’t look like the most promising track for us,” Leclerc said. “Monaco is so unique, though, and sometimes you can be surprised when you finally put the car down. I really hope that’s the case this weekend.”
The spotlight will be especially intense during Saturday’s qualifying session, as Monaco’s layout makes overtaking notoriously difficult. Leclerc emphasized its importance: “Qualifying is the most important part of the weekend here, and we need everything to come together perfectly.”
Heading into the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari sits fourth in the constructors’ standings, 17 points behind Red Bull. Mercedes are a further 16 points ahead, while McLaren have already built a commanding 132-point lead over the Silver Arrows.
Whether Monaco becomes a historic turning point for Hamilton’s Ferrari journey or another challenging chapter remains to be seen — but for now, the excitement is undeniable.
